Hyden, KY asked in Criminal Law and Federal Crimes for Kentucky

Q: If someone is charged with first degree assault but it was in self defense, will their charges be lowered or drop at all

The person being charged was threatened death and then hit with a belt across the back, they responded by hitting the other with a hammer to the head (was on neither persons property, both were men in early 60s with same height and weight of 200lbs)

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2 Lawyer Answers
Matt Schalk
Matt Schalk
Answered
  • Criminal Law Lawyer
  • Princeton, KY
  • Licensed in Kentucky

A: Self defense it’s just that, a defense. It may be used as a negotiating tool to lower the charge, or it can be used as a defensive strategy at trial.

Timothy Denison
Timothy Denison
Answered
  • Criminal Law Lawyer
  • Louisville, KY
  • Licensed in Kentucky

A: If it is true self defense, that is a defense that can be used to negotiate a dismissal or reduction of the charges.

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