Most people in Fresno probably try to avoid conflict whenever they can. However, as the saying goes, "life happens." Sometimes a person can find themselves in an unexpected situation, and things can get tense. If an argument becomes physical, or if there is a threat of physical violence, there is a chance that one party or the other could be facing battery or assault charges.
At our law firm, we have represented clients who have found themselves in almost exactly this type of situation. But, it is important to know that the circumstances surrounding the incident might prove to be crucial in crafting a criminal defense strategy. For instance, what if you were in a fight, but you weren't the initial aggressor? What if you tried to get out of the situation but the other party simply wouldn't let it go? If this is the case, there is a chance that self-defense could come into play.
Being a suspect in a police investigation involving assault and battery can be difficult, especially if the alleged victim is a family member, such as a spouse or a child. In this type of situation, not only does the accused have to deal with the criminal justice process, hoping that things pan out, they probably will also have to deal with the negative perception of them created in the minds of other people they know. Nobody wants to be labeled as an "abuser."
Although most people probably hope that they never get into a situation in which physical violence becomes a necessity, the fact is that under the law there are circumstances in which the use of force is justified. This website may provide you with more information on battery or assault charges in California.