ANNE ARUNDEL, CALVERT, CHARLES, ST. MARY’S & PRINCE GEORGE’S COUNTIES.
Second Degree Assault Defense | Haskell & Dyer
"Just a Misdemeanor" Still Leaves a Permanent Mark. We Work to Keep It Off Your Record.
Second degree assault is the most common assault charge in Maryland. It is a misdemeanor, but a conviction still means a criminal record, possible jail, and lasting consequences. We work to dismiss it, reduce it, or beat it.
Don't Underestimate It
Misdemeanor does not mean minor.
People hear "misdemeanor" and assume it will blow over. It will not. A second degree assault conviction puts a violent offense on your permanent record, can carry jail, and shows up every time an employer or landlord runs a background check. The good news: these are also the cases most often dismissed or reduced with the right defense.
What It Actually Is
The Most Common Assault Charge in Maryland
Second degree assault covers a wide range of conduct. The State has to prove more than people assume.
The Charge
What Counts as Second Degree
It covers intentionally causing offensive physical contact or injury to another person, or putting them in fear of immediate harm. No weapon or serious injury is required, which is why it is charged so often.
What the State Must Prove
Intent and Contact
The State has to show the contact or threat was intentional, not accidental, and that it was not legally justified. An accident, a misunderstanding, or self-defense can all break the case.
How It Gets Charged
Common Situations Behind the Charge
Second degree assault comes out of everyday conflicts as often as anything else. Common examples include:
An argument that turned physical
A bar or party altercation
A family or roommate dispute
A shove or grab in a heated moment
A workplace confrontation
A neighbor disagreement
An accusation with no real injury
A one-sided or exaggerated account
What's at Stake
A Misdemeanor That Follows You
Even without jail, a conviction can quietly cost you for years.
Record
A violent offense on your permanent record
Jail
A misdemeanor that still carries possible jail time
Jobs
A red flag on background checks for work and licenses
Housing
A conviction landlords can see and act on
How We Defend a Second Degree Assault Charge
These are often the most winnable assault cases. We push for the cleanest outcome the facts allow.
We Test the Evidence
Many of these cases rest on one account. We pressure inconsistencies, missing witnesses, and exaggerated claims.
We Raise Self-Defense
If you were protecting yourself or another person, that is a defense, not a crime, and we build it fully.
We Fight for Dismissal
Weak proof, no injury, or a one-sided story can all support getting the charge dropped. That is the goal.
We Protect Your Record
Where dismissal is not on the table, we push for probation before judgment or a result that keeps a conviction off your record.
Common Questions
Second Degree Assault, Answered
It's just a misdemeanor. Do I really need a lawyer?
Yes. A second degree assault conviction is still a violent offense on your permanent record, carries possible jail, and shows up on background checks for years. These cases are also very defensible, so a lawyer can often dismiss or reduce a charge you might otherwise be stuck with.
No one was actually injured. Can I still be charged?
Yes. Second degree assault does not require an injury. Offensive contact, or even putting someone in fear of immediate harm, can be enough. But the State still has to prove it was intentional and unjustified, which is where many of these charges fall apart.
I was defending myself. Does that matter?
It can be a complete defense. If you used reasonable force because you reasonably believed you were in danger, that is not a crime. We develop self-defense fully, with witnesses and the sequence of events, to show what really happened.
What is probation before judgment?
It is a Maryland outcome that, in some cases, lets you avoid a conviction on your record if you meet certain conditions. For a second degree assault charge, it can be the difference between a clean record and a permanent mark. Whether it is available depends on your situation.
Can the charge be dropped completely?
Often, yes. When the evidence is thin, there was no injury, self-defense applies, or the account is one-sided, dismissal is a real possibility. We will give you an honest read on whether your case is headed that way.
Charged With Second Degree Assault? Don't Just Let It Ride.
It is a misdemeanor, but the record is permanent, and these cases are often dismissed or reduced with the right defense. Tell us what happened and get an honest read on your options. The first conversation is free.
Arrested after hours? Call our 24/7 line: 240-687-0179
The Law Offices of Haskell & Dyer, LLC Practicing Law in Anne Arundel, Calvert, Charles, St. Mary’s, and Prince George’s Counties.
The Law Offices of Haskell & Dyer, LLC Practicing Law in Anne Arundel, Calvert, Charles, St. Mary’s, and Prince George’s Counties.
The Law Offices of Haskell & Dyer, LLC
Fax: 301-627-5848
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