Assault by Pointing a Gun

A conviction for any assault crime brings with it a number of consequences, depending on the nature of the offense. Assaulting another individual at gunpoint or assault by pointing a gun is considered a very serious offense due to the potential to inflict serious injury or even death. Although a jail sentence isn’t required by law, judges will often include a period of incarceration as part of a sentence for those convicted of assault by pointing a gun.

If you have been arrested for or accused of assault by pointing a gun, you should seek the advice and guidance of a qualified Charlotte criminal defense attorney at the Olsinski Law Firm, PLLC. A skilled defense attorney with our firm will help you confidently face the charges brought against you in hopes of securing a final result that doesn’t end with a conviction being added to your record.

Simply put, it’s a crime in North Carolina to point a gun at another person. Under North Carolina Gen. Stat. § 14-34, the mere act of pointing a rifle, handgun, shotgun, or other firearm is sufficient to prove the elements of the crime. It does not matter if the gun is loaded or unloaded or if you were pointing the gun at another person as a joke and without any malicious intent.

Assault by pointing a gun is a Class A1 misdemeanor. Thus, regardless of your previous record, a conviction could result in a jail sentence. However, the Charlotte assault lawyers at the Olsinski Law Firm, PLLC, have extensive experience handling these cases and can often spare our clients from the worst consequences of a conviction.

Because North Carolina’s assault by pointing a gun law is very clear, and there is little room to challenge your intent (because it isn’t relevant), we will look for other areas to challenge. For example, in some cases, we may be able to argue that the alleged victim either fabricated the incident or misidentified you as the person who pointed the gun at them. If a firearm was recovered, we may also be able to suppress the firearm from evidence by arguing that law enforcement violated your rights at some point during the investigation. We have also been successful in negotiating these offenses down to less serious charges, such as those that may later be eligible for expungement.

The Olsinski Law Firm, PLLC, handles all kinds of assault and firearms cases. Our firm offers potential clients a case evaluation to determine our best course of action for your defense. We believe that the best way to serve our clients is to communicate with them directly from the very beginning. While most law firms will delegate these matters to paralegals and secretaries, our firm places direct communication first. We know that a solid understanding of our clients and their legal problems is the key to pursuing successful outcomes. This is why we take a comprehensive and individualized approach to every case we handle.

If you were recently arrested for assault by pointing a gun in Charlotte, it is imperative that you understand what’s at stake and what you can do to prevent a conviction. At the Olsinski Law Firm, PLLC, we’ve assembled a dedicated team of assault defense attorneys who frequently handle cases involving firearms-related offenses and violent crimes. We pride ourselves in providing customized representation to each of our clients based on their individual needs and desires. To learn more, and to schedule a free consultation today, call 704-405-2850, or connect with us through our secure online contact form.