Many people get into fights with random people at bars, sporting events, stores and other public places. These assault incidents often take people as surprise, as they occur for no apparent reason and result in serious injuries.
This was recently the case in Maryland, when a police officer for the Maryland Transit Administration was randomly assaulted by a man. The incident occurred on the afternoon of October 9 in West Baltimore.
The man assaulted the MTA police officer at the Upton Metro Station. The details of the assault are unknown, but the officer was knocked unconscious. He suffered non-life-threatening injuries and was taken to a hospital for treatment. The reason for the assault is unknown.
The man fled the scene after the incident, but the MTA released a photo of the man. By the following morning, the man had been arrested and taken into police custody.
Most public fights are not premeditated nor do they cause significant injury. As such, these incidents are usually misdemeanors with a $2,500 fine. However, the situation changes when a police officer is involved.
Assaulting a police officer is considered an aggravated form of assault and is a felony charge. It is a second-degree assault, with the penalties including 10 years in prison and a $5,000 fine.
If the injuries were not that severe, then it’s possible that a person could get off with probation and a fine instead of jail time. They may also be ordered to take anger management courses. However, there are no guarantees. The judge has the ability to sentence a person to whatever they feel is appropriate based on the situation. If a person has prior assault charges — or any other criminal charges, for that matter — then they likely won’t get a reduced sentence. In fact, they could face more severe punishment.
To convict a person of second-degree assault on a police officer, the state must prove one of the following:
It must also be proven that the assault happened to a law enforcement officer engaged in official duties. This includes parole and probation officers, as well as first responders such as firefighters, emergency medical technicians and rescue squad members.
In order to be charged with assault, the person must have caused physical injury to the police officer. This includes any impairment of physical condition, but the injuries do not need to be major. Even minor injuries can result in assault charges.
An assault charge is no minor incident. In some cases, a person can spend many years in prison for such a crime.
Don’t handle such a charge on your own. You need a dedicated team to get you the best results. That’s why you need the Columbia assault lawyers at the Law Offices of Todd K. Mohink, P.A. on your side. Fill out the online form or call (410) 774-5987 to schedule a free consultation today. We have two offices to serve you.
Resource:
wbaltv.com/article/maryland-transit-administration-police-officer-assaulted/34331559#
https://www.marylandlawhelp.com/5-charged-with-assault-in-boardwalk-assaults/
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