Assault on a Peace Officer Charge Dismissed

A Battery occurs whenever one person touches another without consent. A Battery can be charged as a misdemeanor or a felony. The amount of injury to the victim will usually decide whether the case is charged as a felony or a misdemeanor. Here is one client's experience facing a battery charge in Orange County:

"I was charged with Assault on a Peace Officer (Penal Code Section 241(b)); Battery on an Officer(Penal Code Section 243(b))and Resisting Arrest (Penal Code Section 148(a) (1)). These charges occurred as a result of an altercation I got into with a Police Officer in Orange County. I was looking at up to one year in jail for these offenses. I hired William W. Bruzzo to represent me because of his reputation and his familiarity with the courts in Orange County. I told Mr. Bruzzo that not only did I not assault the officer in question but that he assaulted me without reason or provocation. I realized that for the most part it would be my word against the officer's. Mr. Bruzzo took my case and began investigating the officer by filing motions which requested the personnel records of the officer in question. The County of Orange fought to keep the records from being revealed but Mr. Bruzzo won in the end. The personnel records of the officer in question revealed that he had had problems with violence in the past. Mr. Bruzzo used this information in his negotiations with the District Attorney. In the end, the District Attorney agreed to DISMISS all the charges against me! I am very grateful to Mr. Bruzzo for his work and I would enthusiastically recommend him for any criminal matter." ~ WR, 01/15/2010

Criminal Law Updates by the Law Offices of William W. Bruzzo (714) 547-4636

Two and a Half Criminal Charges

After a 911 call police showed up on Christmas day and arrested actor Charlie Sheen while he was on vacation in the ski resort town of Aspen, Colorado. According to the Associated Press the wife of the Two and a Half Men actor called regarding an incident with a knife and threats. An affidavit states that the wife was held down on a bed while Sheen threatened to kill her. An argument had developed after Brooke Mueller Sheen told him that she wanted a divorce and custody of their children. The possible charges are criminal mischief, menacing, second-degree assault and domestic violence. The AP article explains that the menacing charge can lead to two to eight years in prison and a fine of $2,000 to $500,000. Sheen was out on $8,500 bond. If this case had occurred in California the actor could have been charged with assault with a deadly weapon(Penal Code Section 245(a) (1)) for use of a knife and felony domestic violence(Penal Code sections 273.5 or 243(e) (1)). His exposure to prison time would have been similar to Colorado. Such an allegation could also effect child custody and visitation issues.

Criminal Law Updates by the Law Offices of William W. Bruzzo (714) 547-4636

Here is the AP Video regarding the arrest:

Orange County Criminal Attorney Defends Aggravated Assault Cases

In California a common charge involving assault is Assault with a Deadly Weapon (Penal Code Section 245); if a person points a gun (or other dangerous weapon) at another person then he can be charged with assault with a deadly weapon. Even if the gun was not loaded and even if the person holding the gun had no intention of using the gun he can still be charged if the victim was in reasonable fear as a result of the person pointing the gun at him. Below you will read a recent testimonial received by William Bruzzo, an Orange County Criminal Attorney who defends aggravated assault cases.

"I was charged with Aggravated Assault/ Assault with a deadly weapon (Penal Code Section 245(a) (1)) with an enhancement for inflicting great bodily injury (Penal Code Section 12022.7(a); I was also charged with Battery with serious bodily injury (Penal Code Section 243(d)) also as a felony. I could have gone to prison for 5 years on this case and had a strike on my record. I hired William W. Bruzzo to defend me in this matter because I know he is an experienced attorney familiar with the courts, the judges and the district attorneys in Orange County. I believed I was innocent of the crime and that any action I took against the victim was in self defense. Mr. Bruzzo negotiated with the District Attorney and eventually set the matter for trial. On the day of trial the felony charges against me were DISMISSED. I pled guilty to a misdemeanor. That misdemeanor was also dismissed after one year and completion of Cal Trans. I never received any jail time. Mr. Bruzzo managed to get the most serious charges against me dismissed without risking a trial and without the additional expense. I would enthusiastically recommend Mr. Bruzzo for any criminal matter." ~ T.O. 10/23/09