Chandler Assault Lawyer
Assault charges in Chandler arise from various circumstances—downtown bar altercations, neighborhood disputes, domestic situations, road rage incidents, and workplace conflicts. Arizona defines assault broadly, covering not just physical contact causing injury but also placing someone in fear of injury or merely touching them in an offensive manner. For Chandler’s technology professionals holding security clearances, an assault conviction can have career-ending consequences beyond any criminal penalties.
Attorney Josh Lopez represents clients facing assault charges throughout Chandler.
→ For comprehensive Arizona assault information, see: Arizona Assault Laws
Simple Assault (ARS § 13-1203)
Arizona defines assault broadly, covering three distinct types of conduct:
Three Ways to Commit Assault
- Intentionally, knowingly, or recklessly causing physical injury
This requires actual physical injury, however minor. Even a bruise, scratch, or temporary pain qualifies as physical injury under Arizona law.
Classification: Class 1 Misdemeanor (up to 6 months jail)
- Intentionally placing another in reasonable apprehension of imminent physical injury
No physical contact required—only that the victim reasonably feared immediate injury based on your words, gestures, or actions.
Classification: Class 2 Misdemeanor (up to 4 months jail)
- Knowingly touching another with intent to injure, insult, or provoke
Offensive touching without actual injury—contact intended to demean, provoke, or offend rather than physically harm.
Classification: Class 3 Misdemeanor (up to 30 days jail)
Simple Assault Penalties
| Type | Classification | Maximum Jail | Maximum Fine |
| Causing physical injury | Class 1 Misdemeanor | 6 months | $2,500 |
| Reasonable apprehension | Class 2 Misdemeanor | 4 months | $750 |
| Offensive touching | Class 3 Misdemeanor | 30 days | $500 |
Aggravated Assault (ARS § 13-1204)
Assault becomes aggravated—and a felony—based on specific circumstances:
Aggravating Circumstances
- Causing serious physical injury (risk of death, disfigurement, impairment)
- Using a deadly weapon or dangerous instrument
- Causing temporary but substantial disfigurement
- Causing fracture of any body part
- Victim is bound, restrained, or capacity impaired
- Entering private home with intent to commit assault
- Victim is under 15 years old
- Assault while violating an Order of Protection
Protected Victim Categories
Assault against certain victims in the course of their duties is automatically aggravated:
- Police officers and peace officers
- Firefighters and EMTs
- Teachers and school employees
- Healthcare practitioners
- Prosecutors and public defenders
- Park rangers and code enforcement
- Prison and detention officers
Aggravated Assault Classifications
| Circumstance | Classification | Prison Range (First) |
| Serious physical injury | Class 3 Felony | 2.5 – 8.75 years |
| Deadly weapon | Class 3 Felony | 2.5 – 8.75 years |
| Dangerous offense | Class 3 Dangerous | 5 – 15 years (mandatory prison) |
| Victim under 15 | Class 3 Felony | 2.5 – 8.75 years |
| Disfigurement/fracture | Class 4 Felony | 1.5 – 3.75 years |
| Protected victim | Class 5/6 Felony | Varies |
Domestic Violence Assault
When assault occurs between people with a qualifying domestic relationship, it carries a domestic violence designation under ARS § 13-3601.
Qualifying Domestic Relationships
- Spouses or former spouses
- Current or former cohabitants (including roommates)
- People with a child in common
- Related by blood or marriage
- Current or past romantic/sexual relationship
DV Assault Consequences
- Mandatory arrest upon probable cause
- No-contact orders as release condition
- Federal firearm prohibition — Lifetime ban under 18 U.S.C. § 922(g)(9)
- DV offender treatment — 26-52 weeks mandatory
- Enhanced penalties for repeat DV offenses
→ See: Chandler Domestic Violence Lawyer
Common Assault Scenarios in Chandler
Downtown Entertainment District
Chandler’s growing nightlife generates assault cases:
- Bar and restaurant altercations
- Disputes outside venues
- Bouncer/patron confrontations
- Street confrontations between patrons
Residential Neighborhoods
Disputes in Chandler’s communities:
- Neighbor conflicts over property, noise, or pets
- HOA-related disputes escalating
- Family arguments at home
- Domestic situations
Retail Areas
Commercial areas generate confrontations:
- Chandler Fashion Center incidents
- Parking lot disputes
- Customer service conflicts escalating
- Road rage in parking areas
Workplace Conflicts
Professional environment disputes:
- Co-worker confrontations
- Management/employee conflicts
- Termination-related incidents
- Harassment situations escalating
Professional Consequences in Chandler
Security Clearance Impact
Assault—especially felony or DV assault—seriously affects clearances:
- Violence demonstrates poor judgment
- DV assault triggers firearm prohibition conflicting with many positions
- Felony assault typically results in revocation
- Even misdemeanor may trigger review
Professional Licensing
Assault convictions affect licensed professionals:
- Healthcare workers face board discipline
- Financial professionals face securities licensing issues
- Teachers face certification problems
- Engineers may face board review
Employment
- Many employers require disclosure of criminal charges
- Conviction often results in termination
- Background check failures for future positions
- Reputation damage in professional community
Defense Strategies
Self-Defense
Arizona law allows reasonable force to defend yourself:
- Reasonable belief of imminent physical harm
- Force used was proportional to threat faced
- You were not the initial aggressor
- No duty to retreat (Arizona’s “Stand Your Ground” law)
Defense of Others
Using reasonable force to protect another person from assault or injury.
Mutual Combat
Both parties engaged willingly in the altercation:
- May reduce culpability for both parties
- May support dismissal or reduction
- Shows alleged victim was participant
Lack of Intent
Assault requires specific mental state:
- Accidental contact without intent
- No intent to injure, insult, or provoke
- Reflexive defensive action
- Misunderstanding of situation
No Physical Injury
For Class 1 assault (causing injury), actual injury must be proven:
- No visible injury documented
- Claimed injury not supported by evidence
- Injury was pre-existing
Mistaken Identity
- Multiple participants in altercation
- Unreliable witness identification
- Poor lighting or conditions
- Video unclear or missing
Chandler-Specific Considerations
Downtown Entertainment District
Assault cases from Chandler’s nightlife:
- Bar and restaurant altercations common
- Bouncer/patron confrontations
- Multiple witnesses often present
- Surveillance footage frequently available
- Alcohol involvement as mitigating factor
Workplace Incidents
Professional environment disputes:
- Co-worker confrontations
- Management/employee conflicts
- Termination-related incidents
- Harassment situations escalating
- HR records may be relevant
Residential Neighborhoods
Neighborhood dispute assaults:
- Neighbor conflicts over various issues
- HOA-related disputes
- Long-running tensions between parties
- Property line and noise disputes
Chandler Courts
Chandler Municipal Court
Location: 200 E. Chicago Street, Chandler, AZ 85225
Phone: (480) 782-4900
Handles misdemeanor assault charges (simple assault) arising within Chandler.
Southeast Regional Superior Court
Location: 222 E. Javelina Avenue, Mesa, AZ 85210
Handles felony aggravated assault cases from Chandler.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is assault a felony in Chandler?
Simple assault is a misdemeanor. Assault becomes a felony (aggravated assault) when it involves serious injury, deadly weapons, protected victims (police, teachers, etc.), or other aggravating circumstances.
Can I be charged with assault if I didn’t touch anyone?
Yes. Placing someone in reasonable fear of imminent physical injury (Class 2 Misdemeanor assault) doesn’t require any physical contact.
What if the other person started it?
Self-defense is valid if you reasonably believed force was necessary and used proportional force. However, if you were the initial aggressor or used excessive force, self-defense may not apply.
Will assault affect my security clearance?
Potentially yes, especially for felony assault or DV assault. Violence raises serious concerns about judgment and character. DV assault’s firearm prohibition conflicts with many cleared positions.
Can assault charges be dropped if the victim doesn’t cooperate?
The prosecutor decides whether to proceed—not the victim. Cases can continue using other evidence even without victim cooperation.
Will assault affect my gun rights?
DV assault triggers lifetime federal firearm prohibition. Felony aggravated assault results in permanent gun rights loss. Misdemeanor assault without DV designation generally doesn’t directly affect gun rights.
Contact a Chandler Assault Defense Attorney
Assault charges range from minor misdemeanor to serious felony with potential prison time. For Chandler’s professionals, career and security clearance consequences can be equally significant.
Attorney Josh Lopez represents clients facing assault charges throughout Chandler.
Scottsdale Office:
6991 East Camelback Rd, Suite D-300
Scottsdale, AZ 85251
Phoenix Office:
2601 N 3rd Street, Suite 301
Phoenix, AZ 85004
Call (480) 386-1824 for a free consultation.