Category: Battery

In North Carolina, the crime of battery is taken very seriously, especially when children are involved. When the case includes an unborn child, the penalties faced can be even harsher.

In January, a Raleigh man was arrested after attacking a pregnant woman. He now faces charges not only for assault but also the battery of her unborn child. He threw a shelf at a woman who was eight months pregnant, and it struck her on the side of her abdomen.

Pregnancy takes many months, and it may not always look obvious, but that [...]

Even though North Carolina lawmakers define assault differently from assault and battery, they are charged the same way. Below, we will describe the difference between the two, along with the penalties for these charges, and defenses that can be used to fight back against them.

Assault in North Carolina

Under North Carolina law, a charge of assault applies when an attempt is made to commit assault and battery, or an offender uses a show of force to demonstrate that assault and battery is imminent. In other words, assault is essentially threatening to use [...]

An assault and battery charge is a serious offense, and you could be charged with a misdemeanor or a felony depending upon the circumstances of the supposed crime. Moreover, you are left with a criminal record of violent crime that can compromise many important aspects of your life, including employment, loans, housing, and child custody.

If charged with assault or battery in North Carolina, it is important to be aware of the level of charges you may be facing, and to know what factors could increase or decrease the severity of the offense. [...]

Not all crimes are the same. A crime that involves a specific victim or the presence of dangerous weapons may be considered more serious than a crime without either of those things.

The factors in each case can make a big difference in the actual charge and the sentence that is recommended if an individual is convicted. Factors that make a crime more serious are called “aggravating” factors. Factors that make a crime less serious are called “mitigating” factors.

There are a few different types of violent crimes in North Carolina. While many [...]