Defending People In Pitt County Against Assault Charges

Last updated on August 27, 2026

Assault charges can arise from a broad range of circumstances, including domestic violence to people shooting, punching and stabbing incidents. Regardless of the circumstances surrounding your assault charges, the Greenville assault defense attorneys of Fitzpatrick Law Firm can provide effective and aggressive legal assistance. Often, assault charges involve mistaken identities, self-defense, and the flaring of tempers, often through the use of impairing substances. We will thoroughly investigate your case and use our experience to prepare an adequate defense.

Types Of Assault Charges In North Carolina

North Carolina laws categorize assault and battery into misdemeanor and felony. A charge becomes severe due to weapon usage, injury severity and victim status:

• Class 2 Misdemeanor: A simple assault or affray involving an attempt, threat or minor physical contact without a weapon or serious injury

• Class A1 Misdemeanor: An assault that causes severe injury, using a deadly weapon, being a male at least 18 years old who assaults a female or hurting certain government officers discharging official duties

• Class H Felony: Assault by strangulation

• Class F Felony: Assault inflicting severe injury that can cause death, coma, serious permanent disfigurement or protracted loss of function

• Class E Felony: Assault involving a deadly weapon causing serious injury or with intent to kill that does not result in serious injury

• Class C Felony: Assault with a deadly weapon with intent to kill and inflicting serious injury

Assault charges have varying but damaging sentences.

Assault Charges Can Have Serious Repercussions

North Carolina takes assault charges very seriously, whether it’s a misdemeanor or felony. If you are convicted of assault in the state, you can face:

• Fines of up to $1000 or more
• Up to one month in jail
• A prison sentence (can depend on the severity of the charge)
• Community service
• Other forms of probation

Assault charges don’t just have legal implications; they can also have personal ones. When an assault charge turns into a conviction, the direct impacts on your life can be lasting. An assault conviction tarnishes your criminal record, causing issues during background checks. Employers can refuse to hire you, as a violent crime signals erratic behavior. Additionally, landlords can deny your application as a way to protect their tenants.

Not only that, but a conviction can also negatively influence family court rulings. You could receive limited visitation rights and have fewer opportunities to spend time with your child. Ultimately, you may not be eligible for expungement.

Common Defenses Against Assault Charges

They can include:

• Acting in self-defense: You had to hit the alleged perpetrator because they posed a threat to your immediate safety.
• Protecting others from harm: You had to step in to protect someone else from a physical dispute where they felt unsafe.
• The other person agreed to fight: You can prove that the other person decided to enter a physical altercation with you.
• Attacking the wrong person: The person you hit was not the person who posed a threat to you.

The defense you can use in your case will largely depend on the specific details of your situation. When you meet with us, we take the time we need to understand your story thoroughly. We can then apply the law to your situation and use our resources to build a tailored approach to your defense.

Facing An Assault Charge Involving Self-Defense Or Mutual Conflict

Protecting yourself from harm often results in hitting the perpetrator as a form of self-defense. While North Carolina allows you to use reasonable force, this does not automatically apply to all cases.

Self-defense can be your defense for retaliating, provided that using force is reasonably necessary to protect yourself from immediate harm. Your response should match the threat level, meaning you cannot use deadly force unless needed.

Moreover, if you had no duty to retreat while legally occupying a space during the assault, you can use the stand your ground doctrine to present your case. Additionally, if the incident occurred inside your home, the law creates a legal presumption that you had a reasonable fear of harm from an intruder.

Work With Greenville Counsel Who Can Guide You

Moving through the criminal justice system can be complicated, especially if you are facing an assault charge. With our 14 years of experience handling assault cases, we have successfully handled many cases throughout our years of practice. Throughout that time, we have built a strong reputation for providing our clients with sound guidance and knowledgeable advice so they can feel confident about their decisions and actions as they navigate the system. We are here to do the same for you.

We Are Here To Help. Let’s Explore Your Options.

It’s normal to feel anxious about the outcome of your case. Hiring the right legal team can make or break how effectively you handle your assault charge. We understand that your story and situation are unique, and we are here to work with you to pursue the outcome you want out of your case.

You can schedule your free consultation with us today by calling 252-999-8746 or completing our contact form.