Assault charges can come as a surprise for some. In most cases, this type of offense means going to jail to await arraignment. If you are offered bail, you may be released in some cases. For an overview of what to expect and what you can do after an assault arrest, read on.

Assault Charges Explained

Did you know that you can be charged with assault even if you never laid a hand on anyone? Assault can be defined as any of the below:

Intentionally causing bodily harm to someone. This is physical contact with someone on purpose.

Acting in a menacing and threatening manner toward someone. This might be described as displaying a hand gesture that appears to mimic a gun towards someone.

Verbally threatening someone who is made to fear for their safety because of the threats. That is when you say something threatening like "I am about to hurt you".

A Breakdown of Assault

Assault has several variations. The more serious of those can cause the defendant to be charged with a felony though misdemeanor charges are also possible. Some variations of assault include:

1. When the assault involves a law enforcement officer or other public employees, it can be charged at a higher level than a mere assault.
2. If the situation involves domestic violence, it's more likely to end in an arrest due to the pressure on law enforcement to arrest at least one of the parties.
3. Sexual assault is another word for rape.
4. When a weapon is involved, it's assault with a deadly weapon. This sort of charge often carries a higher bail amount because of the violent and premeditated nature of the situation.
5. If race or ethnicity is a part of the situation, the defendant may be charged with a hate crime.

Bail and Assault

Bail can be more difficult to get when the charge is of a violent nature. If the charge is bumped up into a felony, bail may be denied. However, when bail is offered to those charged with assault, it is more likely to be at a higher cost. When a judge decides on bail for a defendant, they must consider whether they are likely to be a danger to the community if they are released.

Bail Bonds and Assault Charges

If you are offered bail, it's likely too exorbitant in cost. The best solution is to use a bail bonding agency. They offer bail at a small percentage of the full bail cost, and you can be released hours after the bail is set by the court. Speak to a bail bonding agency in your area to find out more.

For more information on bail bonds, contact a company near you.