Assault is the knowing or intentional infliction, or attempt, of bodily harm upon another. Aggravated assault is more serious than simple assault and usually involves some object used as a weapon and/or the intent to cause serious bodily injury to the other person. Weapons lead to more severe criminal charges and to increased jail time. There often are defenses or justifications for assaulting another person such as self-defense or defense of a third party. Although the person assaulted may have instigated the altercation and may have thrown the first punch, a charge still may be filed.

False imprisonment is the unlawful restriction of another person's freedom to leave a given area. It is not necessary for the victim to be physically restrained, but false imprisonment also could be charged when the victim is being held under duress or left without a reasonable means of escape.

The Scranton Times-Tribune reports that a South Scranton man was charged with assault, harassment and false imprisonment for striking his live-in girlfriend and for physically preventing her from leaving their dwelling. The suspect is being held at Lackawanna County prison awaiting a preliminary hearing.

If you are accused of aggravated assault or simple assault, then you need an experienced Scranton defense attorney to navigate the legal system and to ensure that your rights are protected. A Scranton criminal defense lawyer will listen to your side of the story and will present any available defense to the charges at hand.

Don't leave your rights and freedom in the hands of the legal system. Contact an experienced NEPA criminal lawyer at Rogan Law today.

Rape is the unlawful compelling of a person through physical force, duress, or undue influence to engage in sexual intercourse where consent of the victim is not given or where the victim is incapable of giving legal consent, whether because of age or because of incapacitation. A person is unable to legally consent to sexual intercourse when the age of the consenting person is below a statutory minimum required by the specific state law. In the United States, the age of consent typically is between ages 16 and 18, depending on the state. The age of consent in Pennsylvania is 16, but there are instances of "close-in-age" exceptions where the individuals engaged in voluntary sexual relations are teens only a few years apart in age. Typically, if the alleged statutory rapist is more than four years older than the underage victim, then the "close-in-age" exception to prosecution may not apply.

The Scranton Times-Tribune reports that a warrant for the arrest of a 33-year-old man has been issued for allegedly raping and sexually assaulting a 15-year-old girl. The suspect is believed to be in California and awaits a hearing, upon arrest, to address the charges of rape, involuntary deviate sexual intercourse, statutory sexual assault, aggravated indecent assault, corruption of minors and unlawful contact with a minor, according to a criminal complaint filed Friday.

If you have been charged with a serious felony such as rape, then you need to contact an experienced criminal defense attorney in order to ensure that your rights are aggressively protected. Whether in Scranton, Honesdale, Montrose, Stroudsburg, Tunkhannock or Wilkes-Barre, an aggressive and experienced criminal defense attorney can navigate you through the complicated criminal system - and will fight for your rights!

Don't risk a long prison sentence by putting your liberty in the hands of the legal system or of an inexperienced or unavailable lawyer. Contact an aggressive and experienced rape defense lawyer at Rogan Law today! We are ready to protect you.