Charges of Battery Against a Police Officer in Nevada
Let’s say the police approached you unexpectedly, causing you alarm. They attempted to arrest you, and, in your confusion, your natural response was to try to get away. Looking back, you realize you made some decisions that were less than stellar–but that realization isn’t going to help you with the charges you’re now facing. In addition to resisting arrest, you’ve been charged with battery. A good, local criminal defense attorney is what you need at this point.
What is Battery?
Battery is any intended harmful physical contact with someone else against their will. It’s not teenagers rough housing and getting hurt, or athletes roughing up one another on the field. It is intentionally punching someone in the nose, shoving them to the ground, or otherwise hurting them.
Penalties Vary
There are specific penalties addressing any type of battery of a protected person–which includes health care workers, school employees, sports officials, transit operators, taxi drivers, utility workers, and, of course, peace officers. The term peace officers is a large umbrella, including people who work in corrections, firefighting, the judiciary, and police. Depending on the outcome of the event, charges of battery against any peace officer–police officer, in this case– will have different penalties.
| Action | Charge | Maximum Penalty |
| Battery against a police officer that does not result in substantial injury | Gross Misdemeanor | 1 Year in jail
$2,000 fine |
| Battery against a police officer that results in harm such as broken bones or injuries that require stitches | Felony B | 10 years in state prison
$10,000 fine |
| Battery on a police officer with a weapon, resulting in substantial harm | Felony B | 15 years in state prison
$10,000 fine |
To be clear, an assault of an officer doesn’t necessarily have to be a forceful event like a slap, kick, or punch. Throwing something at an officer, spitting on them, or scratching them are all part of what is legally labeled as battery against a protected person.
Defending Charges
A proper defense examines the situation in question and explores the following issues:
- Did the defendant intentionally inflict harm on an officer?
- Did physical contact actually occur, or was it a verbal altercation?
- Were any injuries sustained by the officer the result of an actual battery, or did it occur in some other context?
- Are lesser charges, or no charges at all, more appropriate?
Fighting for You
The dedicated Las Vegas criminal defense attorneys at Lobo Law believe that every defendant deserves a vigorous defense, regardless of the charges. To discuss your situation, schedule a confidential consultation in our Las Vegas office today.
Source:
leg.state.nv.us/nrs/NRS-200.html
