While the phrase “aggravated battery” may sound harsh or intimidating, it’s actually a fairly simple concept to understand in a legal context. In short, aggravated battery occurs when an individual intentionally inflicts serious harm on another person.
To illustrate this concept, imagine two people getting involved in a physical altercation. If one of the two individuals carries out an assault using a weapon such as a knife or a gun, then it’s considered an aggravated battery. Without the weapon, the assault would just be classified as a regular battery.
What’s the Severity of Aggravated Battery?
Aggravated battery is considered a felony level offense and can result in a prison sentence of up to 20 years and/or a hefty fine. Additionally, if a person is convicted of aggravated battery, their felony conviction will remain on their public record, including state and federal databases, resulting in long-lasting consequences for their future job and housing opportunities.
Examples of Aggravated Battery
Common examples of aggravated battery include:
- Using a deadly weapon to cause physical injury
- Using a weapon to rob someone
- Intentionally causing serious bodily injury
- Threatening personal injury with a deadly weapon
- Becoming physically aggressive during a domestic dispute
Difference Between Assault and Aggravated Battery
It’s important to note the difference between assault and aggravated battery. While assault is an act of violence or physical intimidation, such as shaking a fist in someone’s face, this falls short of making actual physical contact. On the other hand, aggravated battery occurs when the victim experiences some kind of physical injury, no matter how minor.
Conclusion
In summary, aggravated battery is a serious offense that can have serious repercussions for the perpetrator. Those who are convicted of such a crime can face hefty prison sentences and long-term damages to their personal and professional life. It’s important to understand the severity of aggravated battery in order to avoid getting into legal trouble.