Legal Question in Criminal Law in Washington

assault on an officer

if a shoving match took place between a person & an officer....with no proof or evidence of assault....can the person still be charged with an assault?


Asked on 4/07/02, 6:47 am

1 Answer from Attorneys
Paul Ferris Law Office of Paul T. Ferris

Re: assault on an officer

Yes. All that is needed to charge an offense is a reasonable belief that you may have committed the offense. Many factors are considered, but the standard for charging an offense is much less than for convicting for that offense.

You do not indicate whether you know the "victim" was a law enforcement officer or whether the assault occurred during a detention or arrest. Although these facts are not determinitive in charging assault, they are relevant to defenses and seriousness of the crime.

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Answered on 4/07/02, 1:12 pm


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