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Minnesota Assault & Battery Attorneys

If you’re looking for the best defense for assault charges in the Twin Cities, you’ve come to the right place. Right now, you might be thinking that you don’t have options — but you’d be surprised. We’ve represented thousands of clients, all of whom started in the same position as you right now.

We’re here to help. We will be alongside you every step of the way to fight for your rights and help you navigate what can be a complicated and punitive system. Schedule a consultation to get started.

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About the law

What are the elements of an assault in Minnesota?

In Minnesota, there are two types of assault:

Assault-fear:
the act of putting someone in fear of an attack or non-consensual contact. It requires the state to prove you did something to cause another to fear imminent bodily harm, which can be very difficult to prove.

Assault-harm:
physical contact that results in bodily harm or injury.

Assault charges can also stem from mutual altercations, or an altercation involving self-defense or defending another.

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What are the degrees of assault crimes in Minnesota, and what punishments apply to each?

There are five degrees of assault under Minnesota law, which are based on the following factors and circumstances.

Fifth-degree Assault

The lowest level of assault is a misdemeanor. It is defined as an act with intent of causing fear of imminent bodily harm, or intentional attempt to inflict bodily harm upon another. Potential consequences: up to 90 days in jail, a $1,000 fine, or both.

Fourth-degree Assault

Defined the same as fifth-degree assault, but with an aggravating factor such as assault against a public servant, law enforcement officer, school official, or medical staff, or if the assault is discriminatory. It is a gross misdemeanor punishable by up to one year in jail and a $3,000 fine.

Third-degree Assault

An act that inflicts substantial bodily harm (temporary disfigurement, temporary loss or impairment of the function of a bodily member or organ, or the fracture of any bodily member). It can also include assault on a minor after engaging in a past pattern of child abuse, or any harm to a child under the age of four. It is a felony punishable by up to five years in prison and a $10,000 fine.

Second-degree Assault

Defined as assault involving the use of a firearm (even if it’s unloaded or temporarily inoperable) or any other item capable of causing serious bodily harm or death, such as a knife, baseball bat, flammable liquid, or motor vehicle. It is punishable by up to 20 years imprisonment and a $10,000 fine.

First-degree Assault

Defined as causing great bodily harm to the victim (harm leading to life-threatening injuries or a permanent disability), OR using deadly force against a police officer or employee of a correctional facility. The most serious assault charge carries a potential prison sentence of 20 years and a maximum fine of $30,000. 

Frequently Asked Questions About Assault

What if the victim of assault is a family member?

Minnesota law states that whoever commits an assault on a family or household member is guilty of domestic assault. To learn more, visit our domestic assault page.

What is the difference between aggravated assault and simple assault?

Simple assault generally involves either the threat of immediate harm or a physical act that results in minimal injuries, where aggravated assault may involve an assault resulting in serious bodily harm or an assault committed with some aggravating factor, like using a deadly weapon or against a police officer.

What is battery?

Assault and battery are generally interchangeable terms today. Historically, battery and assault were considered separate crimes, with battery requiring that the aggressor physically strike or offensively touch the victim. In that way, a battery was a "completed" assault. But most modern statutes don't bother to distinguish between the two crimes, and statutes often refer to crimes of actual physical violence as assaults.

What if I acted in self-defense?

Minnesota law does give citizens the right to defend against imminent threats of danger or assault. However, you must meet the burden of proof, which stipulates certain conditions that must occur for the act to be considered self-defense. Your attorney can help you build a case to prove that you acted in self-defense, rather than assault on the other party.

What should I do after being charged with assault?

The best thing you can do is meet with an attorney. You don’t have to talk to police before you have representation, and you shouldn’t do so if you want the best chance of lowering or dismissing your charges.

Can you be charged with assault without evidence?

No. The burden of proof falls on the prosecution, who must prove beyond a reasonable doubt that you are guilty of your crime. This means that the evidence presented and the arguments put forward by the prosecution establish your guilt so clearly that they must be accepted as fact by any rational person.

Next steps

Contact a Minnesota assault attorney right away

At Sheridan, Dulas, Hunstad & Kins, P.A., we always fight for the complete acquittal or dismissal of charges. An assault charge can upend your life, but with an experienced attorney by your side, it doesn’t need to define your future.

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Reviews & tESTIMONIALS

Reviews For Sheridan, Dulas, Hunstad & Kins, P.A.

See what our clients are saying.

Peter

I am a retired college professor who ran into some legal issues late in life. I searched for and hoped to find a professional attorney, someone who is intelligent and knowledgable. The best thing I did was hire Randall Kins. He was not only intelligent and knowledgable, but he was well-versed in laws and courts and a nice, congenial attorney. I had two cases that Randall covered and both ended up very positively. I am in awe of someone who can maneuver their way through laws and the courts. Randall showed that he is well-trained and respectful. At every step, he was open and helpful and always kept me well-informed. My cases were somewhat unique and Randall waded through both of them. For neither case did I have to serve time in jail and it was because of Randall's skills and training and pure professionalism. I would encourage anyone to hire Randall. He is the real deal.

Rahul

I was charged with 4th degree DWI, in March last year before COVID. This was my first DWI, and me being on a temp visa (H1-B) in the USA, the gravity of the situation is worse compared to a citizen. I could've been deported and would've been denied my work visa and lost my livelihoodI found Randall to be a very charismatic and a confident lawyer, with strong persuasive skills, who knows the loop holes of criminal law and is very knowledgeable in handling DWI cases. His ability to think outside-the-box with my situation, presenting my case in a manner that forced a very old-school by-the-book prosecutor to think twice about how he went about this case and got my case resolved to a careless driving made me absolutely ecstatic with the results that Randall provided.

Anonymous

Mr. Sheridan knows his business well, very well. He fought like a pit bull to remove charges and shot holes thru a very shady officer's defense. We walked away with 1 yr probation. Thank You Sir for all you do!

Joseph

Randall was awesome, he listened to me, then he carefuly guided me to making very helpful decisions. All I can say is thank you, Randall, me and my family thank you.

Shawn

Mr. Kins is at the top of the game when it comes to his craft. He will fight for you all the way to the end and get you the best deal. He stands off in the courtroom above all the other lawyers. He did an amazing job for me in my case and you will be going the wrong way if you don’t choose him for your case.

Anonymous

I was unfairly charged with a domestic assault misdemeanor and I was really terrified. Attorney Randall took on my case and he was very transparent throughout each step. Knowing what to expect and what my options (good and bad) were was very helpful to me. Randall really advocated for me and even went further to ask other third parties involved to help prove my innocence. I will forever be grateful to him. If you are looking for someone who genuinely cares about your story and is willing to go the extra mile then please consider Randall to represent you. He is a real Shark and he is very persistent in ensuring the best interests of his clients.

Rachel

Randall was professional and got better results than I anticipated! He has his client's best interests at heart and works hard to achieve outstanding results.

Bruce

The case was complicated and had many interactions that were required behind the scenes to achieve a positive outcome regarding some serious but defendable charges. Randall had to work on several levels with the case, including civil, criminal, and elements addressing mental competency. Randall manage all avenues with great agility and when it came to making a decision between accepting a plea settlement or going forward to trial, there was never any pressure other than whether the deal made sense or not and OUR best interests. There was never any pressure to settle because it would mean less work for him; he was willing to go where the case took him, and he was willing to fight if we wanted the fight, even though it meant no more money for him, just more work. He has our 100% confidence and we will always be grateful for the efforts he put in on our behalf, efforts which ‏extended over a much longer period of time and required far greater number of interactions than any of us expected when we hired Randall to take our case. Thank you Randall for a very successful outcome and the peace of mind you brought us along the way!

Anonymous

I was charged with Domestic Assault (Strangulation) A felony. Randall Kins was the lawyer that was appointed to me in jail that day. I decided to hire him after speaking to countless other lawyers who wanted to charge me a ton of money. Mr. Kin's fee was reasonable and worth every penny . Randall Kins worked tirelessly and fought for me every step of the way. He is a Magic Lawyer. He was always clear and never sugar coated anything. Mr Kins worked every angle and treated me as #1. He also was able to explain my situation to the prosecutor in a way that made them look at the circumstances and ultimately led to my charges being dropped! I would recommend Randall Kins if you are facing any criminal charges. He gets it done. Really Really Awesome Lawyer. If you are having any legal issues hire this man! He will fight for you!

Bruce

I hired Attorney Randall Kins for a criminal matter involving a Felony. Not only did Attorney Kins handle this matter in my favor but did without even a court appearance from me. He was upfront from the start and remained very professional throughout. Thank you Attorney Kins.

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