When you’re facing assault and battery charges in Inglewood, California, the stakes couldn’t be higher. These serious criminal allegations can result in jail time, substantial fines, a permanent criminal record, and long-lasting damage to your reputation, employment prospects, and personal relationships. Whether you’ve been charged with simple battery, aggravated assault, assault with a deadly weapon, or any other violent crime, you need an experienced criminal defense attorney who will fight aggressively to protect your rights and freedom. At Tu Defensor Criminalista, we provide skilled, strategic defense representation to clients throughout Inglewood and Los Angeles County who are facing assault and battery charges.
Inglewood, a diverse and dynamic city in Los Angeles County with a population of approximately 102,774 residents, is home to iconic landmarks like SoFi Stadium, The Forum, and the Hollywood Park development. Despite its cultural and economic renaissance, Inglewood—like many urban areas in Southern California—continues to grapple with violent crime. According to the FBI’s Uniform Crime Reporting (UCR) Program[1], violent crimes including assault represent a significant portion of criminal offenses in urban communities across the United States.
In California, assault and battery are distinct crimes with different legal definitions, though they are often charged together. Understanding the specific charges you’re facing is the first critical step in building an effective defense.
California Penal Code Section 240 defines assault as “an unlawful attempt, coupled with a present ability, to commit a violent injury on the person of another.” Importantly, you can be convicted of assault even if you never actually touched the alleged victim.
To convict you of simple assault, the prosecution must prove beyond a reasonable doubt that:
Simple assault is a misdemeanor in California, punishable by:
Battery goes one step further than assault. California Penal Code Section 242 defines battery as “any willful and unlawful use of force or violence upon the person of another.” Unlike assault, battery requires actual physical contact or touching.
To prove battery, the prosecution must establish that:
The touching does not need to cause injury or even pain—any unwanted physical contact, no matter how slight, can constitute battery. This could include pushing, shoving, slapping, punching, or even spitting on someone.
Simple battery under Penal Code § 242 is a misdemeanor punishable by:
When a battery results in serious bodily injury to the victim, prosecutors can charge the more serious offense of battery causing serious bodily injury under Penal Code Section 243(d).
“Serious bodily injury” is defined as a serious impairment of physical condition, including but not limited to:
PC § 243(d) is a “wobbler” offense, meaning it can be charged as either a misdemeanor or a felony depending on the circumstances and your criminal history.
Misdemeanor Penalties:
Felony Penalties:
Assault with a deadly weapon, codified in Penal Code Section 245(a)(1), is one of the most serious assault charges you can face. This offense occurs when you assault someone using a deadly weapon or by means of force likely to produce great bodily injury.
A “deadly weapon” can include:
Importantly, even objects not traditionally considered weapons—such as a screwdriver, hammer, or even a dog—can be classified as deadly weapons depending on how they are used.
ADW is also a wobbler offense with severe penalties:
Misdemeanor ADW:
Felony ADW:
If the assault was committed with a firearm, the penalties increase dramatically:
Assaulting a peace officer, firefighter, paramedic, or other protected public servant is charged under Penal Code Section 245(a)(4) and carries enhanced penalties.
Felony Penalties:
Assault on judges, prosecutors, public defenders, elected officials, and other government officials is prosecuted under PC § 217.1 with potential sentences of:
Assaulting teachers, administrators, or other school employees with a deadly weapon triggers enhanced penalties under PC § 245.5, punishable by up to one year in county jail for a misdemeanor or one, two, three, or four years in state prison for a felony.
Understanding the prevalence of assault and battery in your community provides important context for these charges. According to Neighborhood Scout crime statistics[2], Inglewood’s violent crime rate is higher than many California communities, though it has seen improvements in recent years as the city has undergone significant economic development.
Los Angeles County as a whole continues to experience substantial rates of violent crime. According to the California Department of Justice’s Criminal Justice Statistics Center[3], aggravated assaults represented a significant portion of violent crimes reported statewide in recent years.
The FBI’s Uniform Crime Reporting Program[1] defines aggravated assault as an unlawful attack by one person upon another for the purpose of inflicting severe or aggravated bodily injury. In 2022, aggravated assaults accounted for approximately 66% of all violent crimes reported nationwide, making it the most common violent crime category.
According to the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department[4], violent crimes including assaults occur across all demographic groups and neighborhoods throughout the county. The department’s crime statistics show that assault arrests span all age groups, with the highest concentration among individuals aged 18-34.
In Inglewood specifically, the City of Inglewood Police Department[5] reports crime statistics on an ongoing basis. While the city has made progress in reducing certain categories of crime, assault and battery cases continue to be prosecuted vigorously in Los Angeles County courts.
These statistics underscore why assault and battery charges are taken so seriously by prosecutors and judges—and why you need an experienced defense attorney who understands both the legal complexities and the local court system.
Beyond the immediate criminal penalties of jail time and fines, an assault or battery conviction creates a permanent criminal record that can impact virtually every aspect of your life:
Most employers conduct background checks on job applicants. A conviction for a violent crime like assault or battery can:
For non-citizens, assault and battery convictions can have devastating immigration consequences. Under federal immigration law, crimes involving violence are considered crimes involving moral turpitude (CIMTs) and aggravated felonies, which can result in:
Even lawful permanent residents (green card holders) can be deported for assault and battery convictions, particularly for aggravated assault or assault with a deadly weapon. If you are not a U.S. citizen, it is absolutely critical that your defense attorney understands immigration law and works to achieve a result that protects your immigration status.
If you hold a professional license—such as a medical license, nursing license, teaching credential, real estate license, contractor’s license, or any other state-issued professional license—a conviction for assault or battery can trigger disciplinary proceedings that may result in:
California’s professional licensing boards take violent crimes extremely seriously and often impose harsh discipline even for misdemeanor convictions.
A criminal conviction can affect your ability to:
Many educational institutions conduct background checks and may deny admission or impose restrictions on students with violent criminal histories.
Landlords routinely conduct criminal background checks on prospective tenants. A conviction for assault or battery can make it extremely difficult to rent an apartment or home, as many landlords have policies against renting to individuals with violent criminal convictions.
Under California and federal law, a felony conviction for assault or battery results in a lifetime prohibition on owning, purchasing, or possessing firearms. Even misdemeanor convictions can result in a 10-year firearm ban if the offense involved domestic violence.
Beyond criminal penalties, you may also face civil lawsuits filed by the alleged victim seeking monetary damages for medical expenses, lost wages, pain and suffering, and emotional distress. A criminal conviction makes it much easier for the alleged victim to prevail in a civil lawsuit.
If you have children, an assault or battery conviction—especially one involving domestic violence—can significantly impact your child custody and visitation rights. Family courts consider criminal convictions when making custody determinations, and a violent crime conviction can result in:
At Tu Defensor Criminalista, we have successfully defended hundreds of clients against assault and battery charges using a variety of strategic defenses tailored to the unique facts of each case. Some of the most effective defenses include:
You have the legal right to use reasonable force to protect yourself from imminent harm. Self-defense is a complete defense to assault and battery charges if we can establish that:
California law recognizes both the right to defend yourself and the right to stand your ground—there is no duty to retreat before using force in self-defense.
We gather evidence including witness statements, surveillance video, medical records documenting your injuries, photographs, text messages, and expert testimony to establish that you acted in lawful self-defense.
Similar to self-defense, you have the right to use reasonable force to protect someone else from imminent harm. If you were defending a family member, friend, or even a stranger from attack, this can be a complete defense to assault and battery charges.
In some cases, both parties willingly engaged in a fight. While mutual combat does not always provide a complete defense, it can result in reduced charges or negotiated resolutions where both parties share responsibility.
Assault and battery require willful conduct. If the alleged contact was accidental rather than intentional, you should not be convicted. For example, if you accidentally bumped into someone in a crowded area or gestured with your hands during a conversation and unintentionally made contact, these would be accidents rather than crimes.
Unfortunately, false accusations of assault and battery are common. People make false allegations for many reasons:
We thoroughly investigate the alleged victim’s credibility, motivations, and any history of making false accusations. We examine text messages, emails, social media posts, phone records, and other evidence that may reveal the allegations are fabricated.
In chaotic situations involving multiple people—such as bar fights, street altercations, or large gatherings—witnesses often make mistakes about who did what. If you were wrongly identified as the perpetrator, we can challenge the identification evidence through:
The prosecution bears the burden of proving every element of the charged offense beyond a reasonable doubt. If the evidence is weak, inconsistent, or contradictory, we can argue that the prosecution has failed to meet its burden.
Common weaknesses in assault and battery cases include:
If law enforcement violated your constitutional rights during the investigation or arrest, we can file motions to suppress evidence or dismiss the charges. Common constitutional violations include:
If evidence was obtained in violation of your Fourth, Fifth, or Sixth Amendment rights, that evidence may be excluded from trial, often resulting in dismissal of the charges.
For assault charges under Penal Code § 240, the prosecution must prove you had the “present ability” to inflict injury. If you could not actually have harmed the alleged victim—for example, if you were too far away, physically restrained, or separated by a barrier—this element is not satisfied.
At Tu Defensor Criminalista, we provide comprehensive, personalized defense representation tailored to your unique circumstances. Our approach includes:
Time is critical in assault and battery cases. We begin working on your case immediately to:
Early investigation often uncovers evidence that can lead to dismissal or reduction of charges.
In many cases, we can intervene before formal charges are filed. We present evidence and arguments to prosecutors that:
Our early intervention has resulted in many cases never being formally filed.
We leverage our extensive experience and relationships with Los Angeles County prosecutors to negotiate favorable outcomes whenever possible. Depending on the strength of the evidence and other factors, we may be able to secure:
When negotiation does not produce an acceptable result, we are fully prepared to take your case to trial. Our attorneys are experienced trial lawyers who know how to:
We have achieved numerous not guilty verdicts, hung juries, and favorable outcomes in assault and battery trials throughout Los Angeles County.
Even if you are convicted, our representation doesn’t end. We can:
Assault and battery cases in Inglewood are prosecuted in the Inglewood Courthouse, part of the Los Angeles County Superior Court system, located at:
Inglewood Courthouse One Regent Street Inglewood, CA 90301
Understanding the court process can help you make informed decisions about your case and reduce anxiety about what to expect.
Most assault and battery cases begin with an arrest. You may be arrested:
After arrest, you will be booked into jail, fingerprinted, photographed, and held pending arraignment. Depending on the charges and your criminal history, you may be eligible for release on bail or on your own recognizance (OR release).
The arraignment is your first court appearance, typically occurring within 48 hours of arrest (or within a few weeks if you were not arrested). At the arraignment:
We always advise clients to plead not guilty at the arraignment. This preserves all of your legal rights and allows us time to investigate the case and negotiate with prosecutors.
After the arraignment, there will be one or more pretrial conferences (also called pretrial hearings). These hearings allow your attorney to:
The vast majority of criminal cases are resolved during the pretrial stage through negotiation. However, we always prepare every case as if it will go to trial, which strengthens our negotiating position.
We may file various pretrial motions, including:
If you are charged with a felony, you are entitled to a preliminary hearing within 10 court days of arraignment (if in custody) or 60 days (if out of custody). At the preliminary hearing:
The preliminary hearing provides an invaluable opportunity to lock in witness testimony, assess the strength of the prosecution’s case, and sometimes negotiate favorable resolutions.
If your case proceeds to trial, you have the constitutional right to a jury trial. At trial:
The prosecution must prove every element of the charges beyond a reasonable doubt—the highest burden of proof in the American legal system. If the jury finds you not guilty, you are acquitted and the case is over. If the jury convicts you, the case proceeds to sentencing.
If you are convicted or enter a plea, the judge will sentence you at a sentencing hearing. The judge considers:
We present compelling evidence and arguments for the most lenient sentence possible, including character letters, proof of employment, completion of counseling or anger management, and other mitigating factors.
In some assault and battery cases, defendants may be eligible for diversion programs or alternative sentencing that can result in dismissal of charges or reduced penalties:
Under California Penal Code § 1001.95, enacted in 2021, courts have discretion to grant pretrial diversion for most misdemeanor offenses and some felonies. If you are granted diversion:
Pretrial diversion is not available if you are charged with certain offenses, including assault or battery against a peace officer or when you have specific prior convictions.
In some cases, the court may allow you to enter a plea and then defer entry of judgment while you complete counseling, community service, anger management, and other requirements. If you successfully complete the program, you can withdraw your plea and the charges are dismissed.
Under Penal Code § 1001.36, defendants with qualifying mental health disorders may be eligible for mental health diversion. If granted:
To be eligible, you must have been diagnosed with a qualifying mental health disorder that played a significant role in the charged offense.
Veterans charged with assault or battery may be eligible for Veterans Treatment Court, a specialized program that provides treatment, counseling, and services to veterans with substance abuse issues, PTSD, or other service-related conditions. Successful completion can result in dismissal or reduction of charges.
Even if formal diversion is not available, we can often negotiate for probation that includes anger management, domestic violence counseling (if applicable), substance abuse treatment, or mental health counseling instead of jail time.
When your freedom and future are at stake, you need a criminal defense attorney with:
Our attorneys have decades of combined experience defending clients against assault and battery charges throughout Inglewood, Los Angeles County, and Southern California. We have handled thousands of cases ranging from simple misdemeanor battery to serious felony charges including assault with a deadly weapon and assault causing great bodily injury.
We have achieved outstanding results for our clients, including:
We practice regularly in the Inglewood Courthouse and throughout Los Angeles County. We have established relationships with judges, prosecutors, and court staff, which allows us to navigate your case more effectively and develop strategies that resonate with local decision-makers.
We treat every client as an individual with unique circumstances, concerns, and goals. We take the time to listen to your story, understand your priorities, and develop a defense strategy tailored to your needs. You will work directly with an experienced attorney, not a paralegal or case manager.
We are fluent in both English and Spanish (Hablamos Español), ensuring clear communication with you and your family members. This is especially important in assault and battery cases where nuanced understanding of events and relationships is critical to building the strongest defense.
Assault and battery arrests often happen late at night or on weekends. We are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week to provide immediate assistance when you need it most. We can meet with you in custody, post bail, and begin working on your defense right away.
We are not afraid to take your case to trial when necessary. We thoroughly investigate every case, challenge the prosecution’s evidence at every stage, and fight aggressively to protect your rights and freedom.
Assault and battery charges are sometimes filed along with or instead of related offenses. Understanding the differences can help you better understand your situation:
When assault or battery occurs against a current or former intimate partner, spouse, cohabitant, or the parent of your child, prosecutors will typically file domestic violence charges under Penal Code §§ 243(e)(1) or 273.5. These offenses carry additional consequences including mandatory batterer’s intervention programs, restraining orders, and firearm prohibitions.
Disturbing the peace under Penal Code § 415 is a much less serious misdemeanor that does not involve violence. In some cases, we can negotiate to have assault or battery charges reduced to disturbing the peace, which:
California Penal Code § 415 also prohibits fighting in public. Like disturbing the peace, this is a much less serious alternative to assault and battery charges.
Brandishing a weapon under Penal Code § 417 prohibits drawing or displaying a deadly weapon in a threatening manner. While serious, it is often a more favorable charge than assault with a deadly weapon.
Assault is an unlawful attempt to commit a violent injury, while battery is the actual unlawful use of force or violence on another person. You can be convicted of assault even if you never touched anyone, as long as you had the present ability to do so and took a direct step toward committing a battery. Battery requires actual physical contact.
Yes. Prosecutors often charge both assault and battery arising from the same incident. You can be convicted of both offenses, though they typically merge for sentencing purposes.
Even if the alleged victim does not want to press charges, prosecutors can still pursue the case using other evidence such as witness statements, police observations, medical records, and 911 recordings. However, cases are generally more difficult to prove without a cooperative victim, which can create leverage for negotiating favorable resolutions.
No. Assault with a deadly weapon under Penal Code § 245(a)(1) is a wobbler offense that can be charged as either a misdemeanor or felony depending on the circumstances and your criminal history. We work to have the charge filed or reduced to a misdemeanor whenever possible.
Not necessarily. For misdemeanor offenses and even some felonies, defendants often receive probation instead of jail or prison time, especially for first offenses or when mitigating circumstances exist. We advocate aggressively for alternatives to incarceration including probation, diversion, community service, and counseling.
Yes, in many cases. Under California Penal Code § 1203.4, individuals who successfully complete probation can petition to have their conviction dismissed (expunged). While an expunged conviction still appears in certain contexts such as professional licensing and immigration proceedings, it can significantly help with employment and housing.
Exercise your right to remain silent and immediately request an attorney. Do not make any statements to police, as anything you say can and will be used against you in court. Contact an experienced criminal defense attorney as soon as possible. We can meet with you in custody, post bail, and begin building your defense immediately.
Legal fees vary depending on the complexity of the case, whether it proceeds to trial, and other factors. We offer free consultations where we can discuss your case and provide transparent information about our fees. We also offer payment plans to make quality legal representation accessible.
Assault and battery convictions can have severe immigration consequences including deportation, inadmissibility, and denial of naturalization. It is critical to work with an attorney who understands immigration law and can structure plea agreements to avoid triggering these consequences whenever possible.
Generally, you cannot claim self-defense if you were the initial aggressor. However, if you attempted to withdraw from the confrontation and communicated that withdrawal to the other person, you may regain the right to self-defense if the other person continues to attack you.
For individuals dealing with violence-related issues or seeking community support, the following resources are available:
If you have been arrested or charged with assault or battery in Inglewood, California, time is of the essence. The sooner we begin working on your case, the better your chances of achieving a favorable outcome. At Tu Defensor Criminalista, we provide aggressive, strategic defense representation to protect your rights, your freedom, and your future.
We offer free, confidential consultations to discuss your case, answer your questions, and explain your legal options. Our attorneys are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week to provide immediate assistance when you need it most.
Don’t face assault and battery charges alone. Contact Tu Defensor Criminalista today and let us fight for you.
Attorney Armando Josué Cespedes is rated 5.0 on Avvo, with 34 five-star reviews from clients praising his dedication, professionalism, and results. Many note how his trial skills and attention to detail led to reduced charges or outright dismissals.
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