It is a crime to commit an Assault and Battery in Massachusetts. In Massachusetts if you threaten someone or you attempt to hit someone you have committed an Assault. If you hit someone or touch someone in an offensive manner Massachusetts laws say that you have committed a Battery. There are two types of Batteries in Massachusetts. One is a harmful Battery. This means that you have hit someone with such violence that bodily harm is likely to result. Consent is not a defense to this harmful Battery in Massachusetts. The other form of Battery in Massachusetts is an offensive Battery. Consent is a defense to this crime in Massachusetts.

If you are convicted for Assault and Battery in Massachusetts you could face up to 2 years in jail or as much as a $1,000.00 fine. Massachusetts laws also punish people for up to five (5) years in prison and a fine of $5,000.00 if the Assault and Battery causes serious bodily injury, or the person you hit is pregnant or if you have a restraining order pending against you at the time you commit the Assault and Battery.

Attorney Kathleen McCarthy is criminal defense lawyer in Massachusetts who has extensive experience defending people accused of committing the crime of Assault and Battery. For over twenty years she has been practicing law as a criminal lawyer in Massachusetts. If you or someone you know has been accused, arrested or charged with committing Assault and Battery you should contact Massachusetts Assault and Battery defense lawyer Kathleen McCarthy online or call 978-975-8060.

Assault or Assault and Battery in Massachusetts - - Statute and Penalties

Assault or Assault and Battery in Massachusetts is governed by M.G.L. ch. 265 S13A. Subsection (a) of the statute states that if you are convicted of violating this provision you are guilty of a misdemeanor. You could face up to 2 years in the house of correction and a fine of up to $1,000.00.

Subsection (b) of M.G.L. ch. 265 S13A is the felony version of this statute. If a person is convicted of committing an Assault or an Assault and Battery in Massachusetts and either

1. causes serious bodily injury,
2. commits this act on a pregnant person, or
3. does this in violation of an outstanding restraining order

he or she can be sentenced for up to 5 years in state prison and fined up to $5,000.00.

If you or anybody you know has been charged with an Assault or an Assault and Battery in Massachusetts you should contact Attorney Kathleen McCarthy online or call 978-975-8060.