When two people get into a fight, sometimes it is more than feelings that can be hurt. Some fights turn physical. And, under certain circumstances, a physical altercation could lead to criminal charges.
According to reports, a Virginia man is facing criminal charges following an incident that took place the Saturday before Christmas. Police in Damascus, Virginia, were called to the scene, where they discovered a man lying down on the ground. The man was not responsive. He was flown to an area medical center for treatment of his injuries. It has not been reported exactly what happened between the accused and unresponsive man. However, the accused has been charged with malicious wounding.
Malicious wounding is a serious crime. Under Virginia law, if an individual maliciously wounds another individual or in any other way causes another individual to be injured with the intention of maiming, disfiguring, disabling or killing that individual, this can constitute malicious wounding. Malicious wounding is a Class 3 felony. And, even if the act was unlawful but was not malicious, if the accused had the intention to maim, disfigure, disable or kill, this is still a crime and is classified as a Class 6 felony. Aggravated malicious wounding is an even more serious crime and is classified as a Class 2 felony. Malicious wounding is a more serious battery crime than mere simple assault.
Sometimes an argument gets out of hand. However, if words turn into harmful actions, it is possible that a person could be charged with a crime, such as malicious wounding. Felony crimes such as this can lead to significant fines and incarceration for years. It is important for defendants to have a sound criminal defense strategy.