Assault Investigations in Chandler

Being accused of assaulting another person can be immensely disruptive to every part of your life. That disruption often starts from the moment law enforcement begins looking into the allegation against you. While investigations do not always lead to criminal charges being filed, what you say and do during the investigation can significantly impact how your case proceeds and what outcome it ultimately has for you.

With that in mind, it can be helpful to know how assault investigations in Chandler work. Understanding what types of evidence investigators typically look for and how they may use it to build a case against you can prepare you to protect your rights. From beginning to end of this process, a seasoned lawyer at Grand Canyon Law Group can represent you and interact with investigators on your behalf. We believe you have a way of life worth protecting.

How Does an Assault Investigation Typically Begin?

In some cases, law enforcement authorities begin investigating an alleged assault following an arrest at the scene of the incident—for example, if someone is taken into custody after an officer responds to a domestic dispute. More often, though, assault investigations in Chandler and around Arizona begin when someone contacts the police and reports that they have been assaulted.

Depending on whether the officer receiving the report believes the alleged offense was a misdemeanor or a felony, they may or may not issue a warrant for the accused’s arrest. Alternatively, they may pass the case along to other law enforcement authorities to perform an in-depth investigation of the matter. However, just because law enforcement initially refrains from investigating an assault report does not necessarily mean they will never open an investigation, especially if they receive similar reports about the same person later on.

Collecting Evidence and Establishing Probable Cause

The primary purpose of any criminal investigation, including those built around allegations of assault in Chandler, is to establish whether there is “probable cause” to issue a warrant for the accused’s arrest. Investigators may seek out and preserve various forms of evidence in their pursuit of this outcome, including:

• Multiple rounds of interviews with each involved party, as well as any eyewitnesses to the incident and sometimes friends and family members of the involved parties
• Physical evidence, like torn or bloody clothing
• Reports from healthcare providers about any injuries sustained by anyone involved
• Surveillance camera footage
• Social media photos or posts to establish where specific people were during the alleged assault

Anything that a person under investigation for assault says during the process can be used as evidence in support of the investigators’ conclusion, whether that conclusion is to get a warrant or to drop the case altogether. This is why retaining a skilled Chandler attorney early in the assault investigation process is vital to protecting an accused person’s rights.

Call a Chandler Attorney for Help During an Assault Investigation

Anyone under investigation for allegedly assaulting another person should take the matter seriously. Even a misdemeanor assault conviction could lead to serious personal and professional consequences on top of fines and jail time, and a single felony conviction could permanently alter the course of your life.

If you are dealing with an assault investigation in Chandler, speaking with skilled legal counsel should be a top priority. Schedule a consultation with our experienced legal team by calling Grand Canyon Law Group today.