Bellevue Assault / DV Attorney Phil Weinberg Criminal Defense LawyerAssault 3 Defense

Dealing with an Assault 3 (Assault in the Third Degree) charge can be an upsetting experience — Attorney Phil Weinberg will help you navigate the challenges you face.

Assault charges carry serious consequences in Washington. If you have been charged; or think you might be charged with assault, you need an experienced and effective defense attorney on your side. Having the right legal representation can make a significant difference in the outcome of your case.

Attorney Phil Weinberg has been defending those accused of assault in Washington for over 25 years. Call (425) 806-7200 today for a free consultation.

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About Assault 3 Charges in Washington

Assault 3 / Assault in the Third Degree & Some Defense Approaches
The RCW / statute defining Assault 3 is rather complex, but it is reproduced below. It is a Class C felony and unless it can be beaten or dismissed, it may be possible to get it reduced to Assault in the 4th degree, which is not a felony but only a gross misdemeanor.

RCW 9A.36.031
Assault in the Third Degree
(1) A person is guilty of assault in the third degree if he or she, under circumstances not amounting to assault in the first or second degree:
(a) With intent to prevent or resist the execution of any lawful process or mandate of any court officer or the lawful apprehension or detention of himself, herself, or another person, assaults another; or
(b) Assaults a person employed as a transit operator or driver, the immediate supervisor of a transit operator or driver, a mechanic, or a security officer, by a public or private transit company or a contracted transit service provider, while that person is performing his or her official duties at the time of the assault; or
(c) Assaults a school bus driver, the immediate supervisor of a driver, a mechanic, or a security officer, employed by a school district transportation service or a private company under contract for transportation services with a school district, while the person is performing his or her official duties at the time of the assault; or
(d) With criminal negligence, causes bodily harm to another person by means of a weapon or other instrument or thing likely to produce bodily harm; or
(e) Assaults a firefighter or other employee of a fire department, county fire marshal’s office, county fire prevention bureau, or fire protection district who was performing his or her official duties at the time of the assault; or
(f) With criminal negligence, causes bodily harm accompanied by substantial pain that extends for a period sufficient to cause considerable suffering; or
(g) Assaults a law enforcement officer or other employee of a law enforcement agency who was performing his or her official duties at the time of the assault; or
(h) Assaults a peace officer with a projectile stun gun; or
(i) Assaults a nurse, physician, or health care provider who was performing his or her nursing or health care duties at the time of the assault. For purposes of this subsection: “Nurse” means a person licensed under chapter 18.79 RCW; “physician” means a person licensed under chapter 18.57 RCW or 18.71 RCW; and “health care provider” means a person certified under chapter 18.71 RCW or 18.73 RCW who performs emergency medical services or a person regulated under Title 18 RCW and employed by, or contracting with, a hospital licensed under chapter 70.41 RCW; or
(j) Assaults a judicial officer, court-related employee, county clerk, or county clerk’s employee, while that person is performing his or her official duties at the time of the assault or as a result of that person’s employment within the judicial system. For purposes of this subsection, “court-related employee” includes bailiffs, court reporters, judicial assistants, court managers, court managers’ employees, and any other employee, regardless of title, who is engaged in equivalent functions; or
(k) Assaults a person located in a courtroom, jury room, judge’s chamber, or any waiting area or corridor immediately adjacent to a courtroom, jury room, or judge’s chamber. This section shall apply only: (i) During the times when a courtroom, jury room, or judge’s chamber is being used for judicial purposes during court proceedings; and (ii) if signage was posted in compliance with RCW 2.28.200 at the time of the assault.
(2) Assault in the third degree is a class C felony.

Call Attorney Phil Weinberg at (425) 806-7200. During your free initial consultation, attorney Phil Weinberg will meet with you to discuss the issues you are facing.

Building a Sound Defense for Your Assault 3 Case

As your defense attorney, my objective is to protect your rights and reputation. After establishing a thorough understanding of the details of your specific situation, I will advise you on the steps we must take to build the strongest defense for your unique case.

As with any case, my primary goal is to identify credible reasons to have the charges against you dismissed. Examples of this may be that you were acting in self-defense, defense of others or defense of your property. The next step is to engage in negotiations to avoid conviction and prevent or minimize the penalties you face. A strategic negotiation can often avoid or reduce sanctions such as fines, treatment requirements or jail time.

Don’t face an Assault 3 charge alone, call Attorney Phil Weinberg

As a skilled Criminal Defense Attorney, I will put my expertise in defending against assault charges in King and Snohomish counties to work for you. If you are charged with assault in Bellevue, Everett, Lynnwood, Kirkland, Issaquah, Mercer Island, Seattle, Redmond, Kent, Federal Way, Woodinville, Monroe, Bothell, Edmonds, Mountlake Terrace, Shoreline, Marysville or Arlington; call me, Attorney Phil Weinberg, at (425) 806-7200 today for a thorough initial consultation at no cost.