Driving under the influence comes with more than just the risk of getting arrested for a DUI. If you hit someone with your car while impaired by drugs or alcohol in Arizona, you can face more serious criminal charges – such as vehicular aggravated assault. A conviction for this crime can lead to severe penalties as a class 3 dangerous felony, including 5 to 25 years in prison. 

If you’ve been charged with vehicular aggravated assault in Arizona, call Rosenstein Law Group at (480) 462-6379 without delay for a free consultation. We are highly experienced Scottsdale DUI defense lawyers who will fight for you.

Why Choose the Rosenstein Law Group for Your Case?

Your choice of criminal defense lawyer is critical. Your future depends on the strength and skill of the attorney representing you. Don’t make your decision lightly. Rosenstein Law Group has proven its capabilities repeatedly in the years that we have represented clients in Arizona. When your future is at stake, here’s why you should choose us:

  • We have significant experience representing clients accused of assault, aggravated assault, DUIs and vehicular crimes. We bring together over 100 years of combined legal experience.
  • Our lawyers provide smart and aggressive criminal defense for DUI clients. We take our jobs extremely seriously as defenders of our clients’ rights.
  • We are recognized as a law firm that will do what is necessary to achieve real results. We aren’t afraid of going to trial, when necessary, and speaking before a jury for our clients.

At the Rosenstein Law Group, you will be represented by a top criminal defense attorney in Scottsdale. Our law firm has the personnel, legal resources and years of experience to build a strong defense on your behalf. If you wish to meet with our lawyers to find out if we’re the right fit, you can request a free consultation 24/7.

What Is Vehicular Aggravated Assault in Arizona?

Vehicular aggravated assault is a culmination of multiple offenses: assault, aggravated assault and – in many cases – driving under the influence. It is more than just a simple assault crime, as it involves the use of a deadly weapon or dangerous instrument in the form of a motor vehicle. Here’s a breakdown of each crime involved in this type of charge:

  • Assault. According to Arizona Revised Statute Section 13-1203, assault is to knowingly, intentionally or recklessly cause physical harm to another person, touch another person with the intent to injure him or her, or place another person in reasonable fear of imminent bodily injury.
  • Aggravated assault. Under A.R.S. 13-1204, assault is enhanced to aggravated assault if there are extenuating circumstances, such as serious physical injuries suffered by the victim, the use of a deadly weapon or dangerous instrument, assaulting someone while he or she is physically restrained, or assaulting a minor under the age of 15.
  • Driving under the influence. A.R.S. 28-1381 defines DUI as driving or being an actual physical control of a motor vehicle in an impaired state, such as under the influence of an intoxicating liquor, drug or substance.

If an individual knowingly, intentionally or recklessly hits someone with his or her vehicle in Arizona – such as while driving under the influence – he or she can face a vehicular aggravated assault charge. Even if the victim does not suffer a serious bodily injury, temporary disfigurement or a bone fracture, this criminal charge can stick due to the fact that the defendant used a dangerous instrument to place another person in reasonable fear of imminent harm.

Possible Punishments for Vehicular Aggravated Assault in Scottsdale

The State of Arizona takes DUI crimes extremely seriously. It has some of the strictest DUI laws and penalties in the nation. When a drunk driver harms or threatens to harm someone with a vehicle, the consequences are severe. Vehicular aggravated assault is classified as a class 3 dangerous felony crime in Arizona. 

The “dangerous” part of this designation requires a mandatory prison sentence of a minimum of 5 years and a maximum of 25 years. Other possible punishments for vehicular aggravated assault include thousands of dollars in fines, the loss of your driver’s license and restitution paid to the victim.

How Can an Attorney Help With Your Case?

The right criminal defense attorney can build a defense that may be able to reduce the penalties you face for vehicular aggravated assault. Your lawyer will use the facts and evidence available to craft a defense that may allow you to avoid the worst possible punishments for this crime – or even have the charges against you dismissed. Overall, a skilled criminal defense lawyer in Scottsdale can give you greater peace of mind during a stressful time by helping you safeguard your future.

Possible Defenses for Vehicular Aggravated Assault Charges in Scottsdale

In any criminal case, the burden of proof rests with the prosecution. It is the prosecutor’s burden to establish that the defendant is guilty of vehicular aggravated assault beyond a reasonable doubt. The defense does not have to prove that the defendant is innocent. Instead, the defense must show that the prosecutor has not met the burden of proof and, therefore, the jury cannot return a guilty verdict.

Some of the potential defenses for vehicular aggravated assault charges in Scottsdale include:

  • Self-defense
  • Defense of others
  • Accident
  • Lack of intent
  • Wrong defendant/alibi
  • Insufficient evidence
  • Civil rights violations
  • Police misconduct

There is not a one-size-fits-all approach to criminal defense that works every time. Each defense should be 100 percent tailored to the unique defendant and circumstances. This is exactly what we do at Rosenstein Law Group to achieve optimal results for our clients. We don’t encourage every client to take a plea deal – we put forth the strongest possible defense based on the facts.

Contact a Scottsdale Vehicular Aggravated Assault Lawyer Today

At Rosenstein Law Group, we can develop a defense strategy for any type of crime. We use a personalized approach, including one-on-one consultations with our clients, to understand what happened and develop a compelling defense to use against the prosecution. We will look for holes in the prosecutor’s case against you and seek ways to reduce the consequences that you could face for a vehicular aggravated assault crime in Arizona. 

To speak to an attorney in Scottsdale in more detail, contact us online or call (480) 248-7666 for a free case consultation anytime. We care about our clients and will do everything we can to protect your future.

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