SOLVING LEGAL PROBLEMS SINCE 1986

Aggravated assault is one of the crimes included in a 2019 United Health Foundation annual ranking of all states for violent crime, along with murder, rape, and robbery. According to the Foundation's findings, Iowa ranked 13th for incidences of violent crime per 100,000 population. Iowa's population rank is 31.

If you are facing a misdemeanor or felony assault charge in Iowa, you should be worried about how a conviction can impact you. A misdemeanor or felony conviction on your record can negatively affect employment, housing, and personal relationships for the rest of your life. If you or someone you know has been charged with assault, you should seek counsel from an experienced Iowa criminal defense attorney right away.

Here at my firm, the Olberding Law Office has represented clients charged with assault in Nevada, Iowa, and in Story, Marshall, Boone, Hamilton, and Hardin counties for more than 30 years. If you have been charged, I may be able to help.

Under Iowa law, a person commits assault when they do any of the following without justification:

• Commits any act intended to cause pain or injury or is intended to result in physical contact which will be insulting or offensive to someone else, combined with the apparent ability to execute the intended act.
• Commits any act intended to cause someone else fear of immediate physical contact that will cause injury, insult, or be offensive, combined with the apparent ability to execute the intended act.
• Intentionally points a firearm toward someone else or displays any dangerous weapon in a threatening manner toward another person.

Assaults can rise to felony offenses under certain circumstances. If the assault occurs while committing a felony other than sexual abuse, the perpetrator could be charged with a Class C felony if someone is injured during the assault or a Class D felony if they do not sustain injuries.

For example, you strike a store clerk in the head with the butt of your firearm during the commission of an armed robbery, causing a skull fracture. Among the charges brought against you would be Class C Felony Assault.

Using or displaying a weapon during a hate crime assault is also considered a class D Felony. Assaults involving penetration of the anus or genitals with an object is considered a class C felony.

Penalties for Class D felonies are up to five years in prison and a fine of $750 to $7,500. Penalties for Class C felonies are up to 10 years in prison and a fine of $1,000 to $10,000.

Any assault conviction, from a simple misdemeanor to a felony, can remain on your record forever. You can also find yourself charged with assault when you believe you were acting in self-defense. Every set of circumstances is different, so you need an experienced criminal defense attorney on your side, working to achieve the best outcome possible. If you or someone you know has been arrested or charged with assault, call or reach out to my firm, Olberding Law Office today. For more than 30 years I've been working with individuals in Nevada, Iowa, and the surrounding counties of Story, Marshall, Boone, Hamilton, and Hardin. Don't face your charges on your own. Call my office today to schedule a free case consultation.