Waukesha County Battery Defense Attorneys

Lawyers for Assault and Battery Charges in New Berlin and Brookfield

At the Waukesha law firm of Bucher, Wolff & Sonderhouse, LLP, we realize that nearly everyone is prone to losing their temper on occasion. You might get very angry and say things you do not really believe or mean, or you might even threaten someone else with physical harm. In most cases, everybody involved calms down without any major incidents, and nothing more comes of it. Sometimes, however, things might go a bit too far, and the next thing you know, you have been charged with battery.

If you or someone you love is facing battery charges, it is important to work with a law firm that is experienced, knowledgeable, and fully capable of protecting your rights. Our lawyers have more than four decades of criminal law experience, and we are prepared to go to work on your behalf.

Understanding Assault and Battery in Wisconsin

There is a good chance that you have heard the terms "assault" and "battery" used together as if they were describing a single incident or event. Each term, however, describes a different type of behavior, and the two are treated differently under Wisconsin law. Assault, in general, refers to any action or behavior that causes a person to fear imminent bodily harm. The person does not need to be touched in order to be assaulted. In many cases, allegations of assault are handled in civil court.

Battery, by comparison, is a much more serious matter, and battery charges are nearly always handled in criminal court. Battery typically refers to using force against a person with the intent to injure him or her. The offense of battery can be charged as a misdemeanor or a felony depending on a number of considerations, including the degree of bodily harm that the victim suffered. The severity of the charges will also depend on whether a weapon was used and whether the victim was a member of a protected class, such as an elderly individual, a person with disabilities, a police officer, or an emergency services worker.

The most basic battery charge is a Class A misdemeanor, and a conviction is punishable by up to nine months in jail and $10,000 in fines. If more substantial injuries were caused or the victim was a member of a protected class, a battery charge may be prosecuted as a Class I, Class H, or Class E felony, with penalties that could include up to 15 years in prison and fines of up to $50,000.

Delafield Lawyers Building Your Best Defense

At Bucher, Wolff & Sonderhouse, LLP, we know that there are always at least two sides to every story, especially in cases involving allegations of battery. We also realize that the truth often lies somewhere in the middle, and uncovering the truth is important in building your defense. Our lawyers will get to the truth by listening carefully to your version of the events in question. There may also be witnesses to the incident that the police never interviewed or evidence that the police did not bother to review, such as security camera footage. It is not uncommon for us to learn that what might have looked like a clear-cut case of battery was actually a scenario in which violence was necessary to avoid being victimized.

Based on the results of our review, we will develop a comprehensive defense strategy designed to protect your rights and your future. When appropriate, we will negotiate with prosecutors to reduce or eliminate the charges against you through available diversion programs or other alternatives to a conviction. However, our attorneys are also experienced litigators who are not afraid to take your case to trial if necessary.

Let Us Help

For more information about Bucher, Wolff & Sonderhouse, LLP, or to schedule an appointment, contact our office. Call 262-232-6699 for a free consultation. Our phones are answered 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, including holidays. We serve clients in Waukesha County, Milwaukee County, and the rest of southeast Wisconsin.