For police to make an arrest, they must have probable cause that a criminal offense occurred. For most misdemeanors, like DUI, the officers usually witness the crime occur in person. Because they witness the offense, they can make a warrantless arrest. However, not...
It’s up there with one of the worst phone calls you can get—a detective from the Washington, D.C. Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) informs you that you’re under investigation for a sexual assault. You believe you haven’t done anything wrong, but someone has...
When most people think of “assault”, they imagine a fistfight or some other similar very violent behavior, often with weapons. However, that is not always the case. In the District of Columbia, you can be charged with assault without actually striking or even touching...
The word “assault” usually conjures images of punches, kicks, and slaps. In other words, violence. But if you’ve been charged with assault in the District of Columbia, the definition of assault is much broader and often surprising to defendants. Because you can be...
Until recently, the District of Columbia’s Assault on a Police Officer (APO) statute was broadly applied to include, not only physical assault, but also resisting, opposing, impeding, intimidating, or interfering with a police officer. Raising your voice to an...
In the District of Columbia, if you are arrested for any type of assault crime, the government must prove that you acted intentionally. While the government does not have to prove that you intended to injure the alleged victim, it does have to prove that you intended...
