California Penal Code 242 PC Battery

What are the factors or elements of 242 PC Battery?

Under California Law, a battery a prosecutor has to prove the following elements:

  • You willfully and unlawfully touched another person, and
  • While doing so you were not acting in self-defense, defense of others, or reasonably disciplining your child.

Legal Consequences:

California Penal Code 242 violationor simple battery is a misdemeanor in California law. Usually, the penalties for California battery include a fine of up to two thousand dollars ($2,000) and/or up to six (6) months in county jail.

But if you commit a battery against a police officer, firefighter, EMT, or certain other kinds of public servants, and that person suffers an injury, then you may be charged with the more serious crime of battery on a peace/police officer. This offense is a wobbler in California law, which means it may be charged as a misdemeanor or a felony.

How can we defend you against charges of California Penal Code 242 PC Battery?

Many people are shocked when they are charged with California battery charges after a minor altercation where no one was seriously injured, or even hurt.

A California criminal defense attorney can help. There are several powerful legal defenses you can use to fight these charges. These include:

  • You acted inself-defense or defense of someone else;
  • You did not act willfully; and
  • You were acting within your rights to reasonably discipline your child (in cases where you are charged with battery on your child).

Contact us:

We have been successfully defending clients facing all types of criminal charges in Sonoma and Marin Counties, since 1992.

The 100 Trial Lawyers Association has recognized us as one of the best criminal defense attorneys in the country!

Please call our office today at (707) 571-8600 in our centrally located Santa Rosa office in Sonoma County or call our office in San Rafael in Marin County at (415) 492-4507 to schedule a free and confidential case evaluation.

Don’t bargain with your freedom! The right attorney makes all the difference between your freedom and incarceration!

Please CLICK HERE to visit our dedicated page on battery charges for more info.