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Philadelphia Assault Lawyer

An assault charge in Pennsylvania can range from a summary offense to a first-degree felony depending on the circumstances. The wrong outcome can mean years in prison, a permanent record, and loss of professional licenses, housing, and employment opportunities. Thomas F. Burke, a former Philadelphia homicide prosecutor, has defended assault cases at every level from misdemeanor charges to felony aggravated assault.

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Pennsylvania Assault Charges — From Simple to Aggravated

Pennsylvania law distinguishes between several categories of assault:
  • Simple assault is graded as a misdemeanor. It typically involves intentionally, knowingly, or recklessly causing bodily injury to another person, or causing fear of imminent serious bodily injury.
  • Aggravated assault is a felony charge. It applies when serious bodily injury occurs, when a deadly weapon is used, or when the victim is a protected class such as a police officer, teacher, or healthcare worker on duty.
  • Recklessly endangering another person (REAP) is a separate misdemeanor charge often filed alongside assault.
  • Terroristic threats is a related charge that doesn’t require physical contact — just a threat made with intent to cause fear.

Defenses to Assault Charges

Most assault cases come down to who the jury believes. The prosecution has to prove every element beyond a reasonable doubt, and effective defenses include:
  • Self-defense. Pennsylvania law allows the use of reasonable force to defend yourself or others against an attack. The state has to disprove self-defense beyond a reasonable doubt once it’s properly raised.
  • Defense of others. Same standard as self-defense, applied when you intervened to protect someone else.
  • Mutual combat. When both parties willingly entered into a physical altercation, that can change the legal analysis and the available defenses.
  • Lack of intent. Assault requires a specific mental state. Accidental contact, even when injury results, may not meet the legal definition.
  • False accusation. Assault charges are sometimes filed based on uncorroborated witness statements. We investigate witness credibility, motive to fabricate, prior inconsistent statements, and physical evidence that contradicts the accuser’s version.
  • Identification issues. In bar fights, group altercations, or incidents involving multiple people, who actually did what is often unclear.

Why Former Prosecutor Experience Matters

Thomas Burke prosecuted assault cases for over a decade before he became a defense attorney. He knows which charges prosecutors are willing to negotiate down, what evidence carries weight at trial, and how to expose weaknesses that less experienced defense attorneys miss.

Collateral Consequences You Need to Know About

An assault conviction can do more than send you to jail. It can result in:
  • Loss of professional licenses (nursing, teaching, healthcare, security)
  • Loss of firearm rights for felony convictions
  • Immigration consequences for non-citizens
  • Permanent criminal record visible on background checks
  • Civil liability in a separate lawsuit
These consequences are why fighting the charge — even when the prosecution offers a plea — often makes more sense than accepting one.
(215) 567-1248

Call for legal service

What to Do if You've Been Charged

  1. Do not contact the alleged victim under any circumstances.
  2. Do not post about the incident on social media.
  3. Preserve any text messages, video, or witness contact information that supports your version.
  4. Call our office at (215) 567-1248 for a free consultation.
Assault cases get decided on preparation, credibility, and trial experience. When winning matters most, call DiDonato & Burke.
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