People are accused of assault and battery crimes for actions that most people would not assume are actually related to assault or battery. And in some cases, they aren’t. MSNBC reports a jury found a Fullerton man guilty on two misdemeanor counts of battery for putting his semen in a female co-worker’s water bottle on two occasions for sexual gratification.
According to the article, the man could face a year in jail and may be ordered to register as a sex offender for life. The 32 year old man’s sentencing hearing is scheduled for April 22 and his attorney says he will appeal the verdict. The man’s attorney argues that in order to have a battery, there must have been an application of force, which he claims was not the case in this particular situation.
The man was charged with two counts of assault and battery in addition to an allegation that he put semen in the water bottle for his co-worker to drink for sexual gratification. Since the jury found the man guilty of battery, which is more severe of a crime than assault, the jury could not find him guilty of assault. The attorney told the jury that while his client’s conduct was outrageous, it was not criminal since he did not commit an act of misdemeanor assault or battery. The man’s attorney also emphasized his client’s diagnosis of having a narcissistic personality disorder and the maturity of a 16 year old, both of which were determined by a forensic psychologist.
There is always more to a story than what the media provides to the public. The complexities surrounding every criminal case are far too intricate to include in a news article. While it is unclear whether the battery conviction will be dropped in this particular case, an Orange County criminal appeals attorney will ensure that an individual’s rights are protected at all times. At Sitkoff & Hanrahan, our attorneys have years of experience obtaining successful case results, appeals, and expungements for those charged with various misdemeanors and felonies, including those relating to violent offenses and sex-related crimes. Call our firm today at 866-430-8383 for a free consultation and to learn more about how we can help defend your rights.