Q: A friend and I may have been involved in an assault. I dont think that what we did was illegal but I want to know.
I was outside a bar with a friend waiting for a ride. Another man threatened my friend by saying "I'll break your neck before you hit the ground," after a situation escalated. He then pinned my friend (who was non-violent at the time) to a wall and my friend punched him numerous times in the mouth. Simultaneously, I grabbed the man by the collar, put him in a choke hold and subsequently threw him to the concrete where he may have sustained serious a head injury. The man was bleeding profusely from his mouth and had his eyes shut. My friend and I immediately fled the scene and the man's spouse was left to tend to him. Could I get into legal trouble for the incident?
A: What you did is considered an assault under the law. However, if you have a defense, such as self defense or defense of others to conduct is considered justified. That being said, the fact that you fled the scene shows what they call consciousness of guilt, and if the other party gives a statement to the police that he was assaulted you could possibly be charged with assault and maybe even aggravated assault, which is a very serious felony. You may want to consult with a lawyer in the event the police reach out to you. Do not speak with the police without a lawyer. Good luck
Ryan L Hyde agrees with this answer
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