Charged with Assault and Battery in Massachusetts? 

Protect Your Rights — and Your Future.

If you’ve been charged with assault and battery in Massachusetts, the stakes are high. Even a first-time offense can carry serious penalties — and the accusation alone can impact your job, your reputation, your relationships, and your future.

At DeGiacomo & Mikhlin, P.C., we defend people across Massachusetts who are facing assault and battery charges. Whether the situation involved a misunderstanding, a heated moment, or false accusations, we know how to step in fast, get the full story, and fight for your best outcome in court.

What Is Assault and Battery Under Massachusetts Law?

In Massachusetts, assault and battery is defined under M.G.L. c. 265, § 13A. It can be charged in two ways:

• Assault means an attempted or threatened use of force — even if no physical contact occurred.
• Battery means the actual unwanted or harmful touching of another person, even if it didn’t cause an injury.

You can be charged even if:

• No weapon was involved
• There was minimal or no visible injury
• The other person wasn’t a stranger (e.g., a family member, partner, or roommate)
• You didn’t start the altercation

In fact, most assault and battery charges in Massachusetts stem from domestic incidents, bar fights, road rage, or disputes between people who know each other.

Penalties for Assault and Battery in Massachusetts

A conviction can result in:

• Up to 2½ years in jail
• Fines up to $1,000
• Probation, mandatory counseling, or anger management classes
• Protective orders or no-contact restrictions
• A permanent criminal record

If the alleged victim is a family or household member, you may also face domestic violence-related consequences, including firearm restrictions and collateral impacts on child custody.

Aggravating factors — like serious injury, use of a weapon, or assault on a vulnerable person — can result in felony charges and more severe penalties.

Common Scenarios We Defend

We regularly represent clients charged with assault and battery after:

• A heated verbal argument turned physical
• Self-defense during a confrontation
• An ex-partner or family member made a retaliatory or false accusation
• A third party misinterpreted a situation and called police
• A bar or street altercation was broken up, but our client got blamed

In Massachusetts, police are often required to make an arrest if there’s any sign of conflict — even if the alleged victim doesn’t want to press charges. That’s why it’s critical to have a defense attorney who can step in immediately and begin protecting your side of the story.

Our Approach to Assault and Battery Defense

We start by listening to your version of events. Then we move quickly to:

• Analyze the police report and witness statements
• Seek out surveillance footage or digital evidence (texts, calls, social media)
• Challenge inconsistencies in the prosecution’s case
• Argue for dismissal, reduction, or pretrial diversion where appropriate
• Prepare for trial when necessary — and fight aggressively to defend you

Our goal is always to protect your record, your reputation, and your future.

Why People Across Massachusetts Hire DeGiacomo & Mikhlin

• We know how assault and battery cases are charged and prosecuted across the Commonwealth
• We offer clear, strategic guidance — no judgment, no confusion
• We fight for results — from dismissal to acquittal, to reduced charges or favorable plea deals
• We take the pressure off, so you can focus on your life while we handle the legal battle

We’ve defended people from all walks of life — working professionals, students, parents, veterans — and we treat every case with the seriousness it deserves.

Contact a Massachusetts Assault and Battery Defense Lawyer Today

If you’ve been charged with assault and battery in Massachusetts, the time to act is now. The sooner you contact us, the more options we’ll have to protect your freedom, your rights, and your future.

Call DeGiacomo & Mikhlin, P.C. today for a free consultation. Let’s talk about what happened — and how we can help.