New York Rangers hockey star Sean Avery was recently arrested for Battery on a Police Officer. Police responded to a noise complaint at Avery's home in the Hollywood Hills in California, and were met by an enraged Avery. Avery called them "fat little pigs" and challenged the officers to "come back without their badges." Avery shoved one of the officers, slammed the door on the officers and refused to let them in. When police threatened to break the door down, Avery let them in and was subsequently arrested.
In Nevada, Battery is considered a Violent Crime and is defined as: "any willful and unlawful use of force or violence upon the person of another." NRS 200.481. Most battery offenses are misdemeanors, meaning they are punishable by up to six (6) months in City or County jail. Some battery offenses are made even more serious based upon the type of person who was battered. For instance, a battery is more serious if the victim was over sixty (60) years old, a school employee or taxicab driver.
A battery against a person with whom you have a child in common, a dating relationship or to whom you are related by blood or marriage is considered Battery Domestic Violence. Battery Domestic Violence is a misdemeanor, but it has substantial additional requirements in addition to simple battery punishments. Battery on a Police Officer is also one of those offenses that is more serious due to the type of person who was battered. Battery on a police officer is a gross misdemeanor, which means it is punishable by up to one year in jail and a $2,000.00 fine.
If you or someone you know has been charged with Battery on a Police Officer, or any other type of battery or violent crime, it is important that you contact a Las Vegas Criminal Defense Attorney right away. The Las Vegas Criminal Defense Lawyer can assist you in analyzing the facts of your case, identifying applicable defenses and providing you with the most aggressive defense strategy possible.