4th degree assault ky

Understanding 4th Degree Assault Charges in Kentucky

In Kentucky, 4th degree assault is considered a misdemeanor offense. This charge covers a wide range of assaultive behavior that causes minor injury or the threat of minor injury.
Let’s break down what constitutes 4th degree assault in KY, potential defenses, and what penalties you may face if convicted.

What Qualifies as 4th Degree Assault?

Under KRS 508.030, a person is guilty of 4th degree assault when they:

• Intentionally or wantonly cause physical injury to another person;
• With recklessness, cause physical injury to another person by means of a deadly weapon or dangerous instrument;
• Intentionally or knowingly cause physical contact with another person knowing the other person will regard the contact as offensive or provocative;
• Threaten to commit any crime likely to result in death or serious physical injury to another person or likely to result in substantial property damage to another person;

So in plain English, 4th degree assault covers things like:

• Getting into a minor physical fight and causing scrapes/bruises;
• Recklessly injuring someone with a weapon like a bat, knife, etc.;
• Offensively touching someone against their will;
• Making credible threats to seriously hurt or kill someone.

As you can see, KY’s 4th degree assault law casts a wide net. The key is that any injury caused has to be minor with no serious bodily harm.

4th Degree Assault Defenses

If you’ve been accused of 4th degree assault in Kentucky, there may be defenses that could get the charges reduced or dismissed. Common defenses include:

Self-Defense

If you only used the amount of force reasonably necessary to protect yourself or another person from physical harm, self-defense may apply. The key questions will be:

• Were you or someone else facing an imminent threat of harm?
• Was your use of force proportional to the threat?

If so, claiming self-defense could defeat 4th degree assault charges.

Christine Twomey

2024-03-21

Just had my Divorce case settled 2 months ago after having a horrible experience with another firm. I couldn’t be happier with Claire Banks and Elizabeth Garvey with their outstanding professionalism in doing so with Spodek Law Group. Any time I needed questions answered they were always prompt in doing so with all my uncertainties after 30 yrs of marriage.I feel from the bottom of my heart you will NOT be disappointed with either one. Thanks a million.

Brendan huisman

2024-03-18

Alex Zhik contacted me almost immediately when I reached out to Spodek for a consultation and was able to effectively communicate the path forward/consequences of my legal issue. I immediately agreed to hire Alex for his services and did not regret my choice. He was able to cover my case in court (with 1 day notice) and not only was he able to push my case down, he carefully negotiated a dismissal of the charge altogether. I highly recommend Spodek, and more specifically, Alex Zhik for all of your legal issues. Thanks guys!

Guerline Menard

2024-03-18

Thanks again Spodek law firm, particularly Esq Claire Banks who stood right there with us up to the finish line. Attached photos taken right outside of the court building and the smile on our faces represented victory, a breath of fresh air and satisfaction. We are very happy that this is over and we can move on with our lives. Thanks Spodek law 🙏🏼🙏🏼🙏🏼🙏🏼🙌🏼❤️

Keisha Parris

2024-03-15

Believe every single review here about Alex Z!! From our initial consultation, it was evident that Alex possessed a profound understanding of criminal law and a fierce dedication to his clients rights. Throughout the entirety of my case, Alex exhibited unparalleled professionalism and unwavering commitment. What sets Alex apart is not only his legal expertise but also his genuine compassion for his clients. He took the time to thoroughly explain my case, alleviating any concerns I had along the way. His exact words were “I’m not worried about it”. His unwavering support and guidance were invaluable throughout the entire process. I am immensely grateful for Alex's exceptional legal representation and wholeheartedly recommend his services to anyone in need of a skilled criminal defense attorney. Alex Z is not just a lawyer; he is a beacon of hope for those navigating the complexities of the legal system. If you find yourself in need of a dedicated and competent legal advocate, look no further than Alex Z.

Taïko Beauty

2024-03-15

I don’t know where to start, I can write a novel about this firm, but one thing I will say is that having my best interest was their main priority since the beginning of my case which was back in Winter 2019. Miss Claire Banks, one of the best Attorneys in the firm represented me very well and was very professional, respectful, and truthful. Not once did she leave me in the dark, in fact she presented all options and routes that could possibly be considered for my case and she reinsured me that no matter what I decided to do, her and the team will have my back and that’s exactly what happened. Not only will I be liberated from this case, also, I will enjoy my freedom and continue to be a mother to my first born son and will have no restrictions with accomplishing my goals in life. Now that’s what I call victory!! I thank the Lord, My mother, Claire, and the Spodek team for standing by me and fighting with me. Words can’t describe how grateful I am to have the opportunity to work with this team. I’m very satisfied, very pleased with their performance, their hard work, and their diligence. Thank you team!

Anthony Williams

2024-03-12

Hey, how you guys doing? Good afternoon my name is Anthony Williams I just want to give a great shout out to the team of. Spodek law group. It is such a honor to use them and to use their assistance through this whole case from start to finish. They did everything that they said they was gonna do and if it ever comes down to it, if I ever have to use them again, hands-down they will be the first law office at the top of my list, thank you guys so much. It was a pleasure having you guys by my side so if you guys ever need them, do not hesitate to pick up the phone and give them a call.

Loveth Okpedo

2024-03-12

Very professional, very transparent, over all a great experience

Bee L

2024-02-28

Amazing experience with Spodek! Very professional lawyers who take your case seriously. They treated me with respect, were always available, and answered any and all questions. They were able to help me very successfully and removed a huge stress. Highly recommend.

divesh patel

2024-02-24

I can't recommend Alex Zhik and Spodek Law Firm highly enough for their exceptional legal representation and personal mentorship. From the moment I engaged their services in October 2022, Alex took the time to understand my case thoroughly and provided guidance every step of the way. Alex's dedication to my case went above and beyond my expectations. His expertise, attention to detail, and commitment to achieving the best possible outcome were evident throughout the entire process. He took the time to mentor me, ensuring I understood the legal complexities involved to make informed decisions. Alex is the kind of guy you would want to have a beer with and has made a meaningful impact on me. I also want to acknowledge Todd Spodek, the leader of the firm, who played a crucial role in my case. His leadership and support bolstered the efforts of Alex, and his involvement highlighted the firm's commitment to excellence. Thanks to Alex Zhik and Todd Spodek, I achieved the outcome I desired, and I am incredibly grateful for their professionalism, expertise, and genuine care. If you're in need of legal representation, look no further than this outstanding team.

Load more

Google rating score: 4.9 of 5, based on 736 reviews

Lack of Intent

For some 4th degree assault charges in KY, the prosecution has to prove you acted intentionally, knowingly or wantonly. If your actions were purely accidental and you had no intent to harm, it may be possible to fight the charges.

Misidentification

In assault cases relying on witness testimony, mistakes happen. You may have an alibi or other evidence showing you were wrongly accused. Raising doubts over identification could undermine the prosecution’s case.
An experienced criminal defense lawyer can help assess whether any defenses apply given the specific facts of your case.

Penalties for 4th Degree Assault in Kentucky

As a Class A misdemeanor, 4th degree assault penalties can include:

• Up to 12 months in jail
• Fines up to $500
• Anger management or other court-ordered programs

In addition to fines and jail time, a 4th degree assault conviction remains on your criminal record. This could impact future job, housing, and other life opportunities even after your sentence is complete.
Given what’s at stake, fighting the charges is often wise if defenses may apply. An acquittal or conviction on a lesser offense could help avoid collateral consequences down the road.

Getting Legal Help for 4th Degree Assault Charges

Dealing with a 4th degree assault accusation in Kentucky can be stressful. An experienced KY assault defense lawyer can be invaluable in building your case and negotiating with prosecutors. Especially for first-time offenders, it may be possible to get charges reduced or avoid a conviction through a pretrial diversion program.
Don’t go it alone against assault charges. The stakes are too high. With an attorney’s help, you can avoid needless penalties and get back to your normal life.