I Threw an Object at Someone: Will I Face Assault Charges in North Carolina?

The first projectile weapon in human history was probably a simple stone, hurled at an enemy tribe. Today, people continue to throw things at each other. Sometimes, these thrown objects are nothing more than pranks. Many people do not intend to cause harm when they throw something at another person, especially if the thrown object is soft, light, or otherwise incapable of causing serious injuries. However, you should know that a thrown object can lead to assault and battery charges in North Carolina.

Various Thrown Objects Could Lead to Assault or Battery Charges

First, you should know that various thrown objects can lead to assault or battery charges in North Carolina. This might be something as innocuous as a sandwich or tennis ball. More dangerous objects may lead to more serious charges. For example, you might have thrown a rock, a glass bottle, or a plate at someone. These kitchen-related incidents often occur during domestic violence.

If you face these charges and you threw something that couldn’t have caused any real harm, you might be confused as to what you did wrong. You might argue that even if you hit the person, the object was so light or soft that it couldn’t have caused an injury. For example, you might have thrown a cake, a loaf of bread, or a bouncy ball.

These kinds of incidents should not result in serious charges. However, the authorities may still interpret this as a legitimate form of assault. One might argue that throwing any object at someone inherently conveys an intent to cause harm.

You may still face assault charges if you miss your target. For example, you might have thrown a mug at your spouse. Even if you missed and the mug shattered against a wall, you could still face assault charges. In the common law, “assaults” were the attempt to hit someone and “battery” was the actual contact. But in North Carolina today, there is no difference. Throwing a rock at someone and missing them and throwing a rock at someone and hitting them are both assaults.

Can a North Carolina Defense Attorney Help With Assault and Battery Charges?

If you face criminal charges because you threw an object at someone, you should consider speaking with a defense attorney in North Carolina. Even if the object was incapable of causing serious injuries, you may still face criminal charges for this type of behavior. You might also face charges even if you missed the target. Organize an effective defense strategy by contacting The Pritchard Firm today.

Source:

 ncleg.net/enactedlegislation/statutes/html/bysection/chapter_14/gs_14-33.html