Assault and Battery Lawyer Massachusetts: Defending Your Rights
If you’ve been charged with assault and battery in Massachusetts, you need an experienced assault and battery lawyer Massachusetts defendants can rely on. A conviction can result in jail time, a permanent criminal record, and consequences that follow you for years. Attorney Michael Murray has over 35 years of experience defending clients against assault and battery charges throughout Worcester County, Middlesex County, and across Massachusetts.
Understanding Assault and Battery Charges in Massachusetts
Massachusetts law treats assault and battery as two related but distinct offenses. Assault is the threat of physical harm that causes someone to fear imminent contact. Battery is the actual harmful or offensive touching of another person. You can be charged with assault alone, battery alone, or assault and battery together.
Simple assault and battery under G.L. c. 265, § 13A is a misdemeanor punishable by up to 2½ years in the house of correction. However, aggravating factors can elevate the charge to a felony with much harsher penalties:
Aggravated Assault and Battery Charges
Assault and Battery with a Dangerous Weapon (ABDW): Using any object capable of causing serious injury—including hands or feet in some circumstances—can result in up to 10 years in state prison.
Assault and Battery Causing Serious Bodily Injury: If the alleged victim suffers permanent disfigurement, loss of a limb, or substantial risk of death, you face up to 5 years in state prison.
Domestic Assault and Battery: Charges involving a household or family member carry mandatory completion of a batterer’s intervention program and can affect custody and visitation rights.
How an Assault and Battery Lawyer Massachusetts Defendants Trust Builds Your Defense
An experienced assault and battery lawyer Massachusetts courts recognize will examine every aspect of your case to identify the strongest defense. Common defenses include:
Self-Defense: Massachusetts law allows you to use reasonable force to defend yourself from an imminent threat. If you were protecting yourself or others, this is a complete defense to assault and battery charges.
Defense of Others: You have the right to use reasonable force to protect another person from harm, under the same standards as self-defense.
Lack of Intent: Assault and battery requires intentional conduct. Accidental contact—even if it causes injury—is not a crime.
False Accusations: Assault charges often arise from domestic disputes, custody battles, or arguments where the alleged victim has a motive to lie. Thorough investigation can expose inconsistencies and credibility problems.
Insufficient Evidence: The prosecution must prove every element beyond a reasonable doubt. Challenging witness credibility, physical evidence, and police procedures can create reasonable doubt.
Why Choose Attorney Michael Murray?
With over 35 years of experience as a Massachusetts criminal defense attorney, Michael Murray has successfully defended hundreds of clients facing assault and battery charges. He regularly appears in Worcester District Court, Framingham District Court, Marlborough District Court, and courthouses throughout Worcester County and Middlesex County.
Attorney Murray’s approach focuses on aggressive defense from day one. He investigates the facts, interviews witnesses, and challenges the prosecution’s evidence at every stage. Many assault and battery cases can be resolved through dismissal, pretrial diversion, or reduced charges—but only with an assault and battery lawyer Massachusetts defendants can count on.
What Happens After an Assault and Battery Arrest?
After an arrest for assault and battery in Massachusetts, you will typically be arraigned in district court within 24 hours. At arraignment, the judge will set bail conditions and schedule future court dates. Having an assault and battery lawyer Massachusetts residents trust at your arraignment can make a significant difference in your bail conditions and the early trajectory of your case.
Pre-trial hearings, motions to suppress evidence, and negotiations with prosecutors all happen before trial. An experienced attorney can identify weaknesses in the prosecution’s case early and work toward a favorable resolution—whether that means dismissal, reduced charges, or preparation for trial.
Why Timing Matters in Assault and Battery Cases
The sooner you hire an assault and battery lawyer Massachusetts courts respect, the better your chances of a favorable outcome. Evidence can disappear, witnesses forget details, and prosecutors make early charging decisions that shape the entire case. An assault and battery lawyer Massachusetts defendants trust will move quickly to preserve evidence, interview witnesses, and begin building your defense before it’s too late.
Contact a Massachusetts Assault and Battery Lawyer Today
If you’ve been charged with assault and battery in Massachusetts, don’t wait to get legal help. Early intervention by an experienced assault and battery lawyer Massachusetts residents trust can make the difference between a dismissal and a conviction. Call the Law Office of Michael Patrick Murray, P.C. at (508) 393-4162 for a free consultation. Attorney Murray serves clients throughout Worcester County, Middlesex County, and all of Massachusetts.