Hillsboro · Portland, Oregon
Oregon Assault & Violent Crimes Defense — Skilled Representation When the Stakes Are Highest
Oregon prosecutors pursue violent crime convictions aggressively — and most assault charges are Measure 11 offenses carrying mandatory minimum prison sentences. If you face a violent crime charge, you need skilled, experienced representation immediately. Casey Kovacic fights for the best possible outcome at every stage of the process.
Facing an Assault or Violent Crime Charge in Oregon
Oregon Prosecutors Vigorously Pursue Violent Crime Convictions — You Need to Be Ready
Assault and violent crime charges are among the most aggressively prosecuted offenses in Oregon. Most carry Measure 11 designations, meaning a conviction triggers a mandatory minimum prison sentence that a judge cannot reduce — regardless of the circumstances, your background, or any mitigating factors. Little or no chance of early release makes a conviction especially severe.
What many people don’t realize is that violent crime charges are not always straightforward. Evidence such as video footage, witness statements, and physical evidence can often be interpreted in multiple ways — and the story the prosecutor tells is rarely the only story the facts support. A thorough, independent investigation can reveal a version of events that is quite different from the one the state is relying on.
Casey Kovacic will undertake a comprehensive investigation into the events leading to your arrest, seeking to undermine the prosecution’s case at every turn. He will aggressively represent you at all stages of the legal process — from pre-trial motions through negotiations and, if necessary, trial — seeking the best possible outcome for you and your family.
If you are facing an assault or violent crime charge in Multnomah, Washington, Clackamas, or any other Oregon county, contact Casey as soon as possible. The earlier a defense attorney is involved, the more effectively your rights can be protected and your defense built.
Oregon Assault & Violent Crime Charges
Charges Casey Kovacic Defends
Oregon’s assault and violent crime statutes cover a broad range of offenses, from misdemeanor harassment through Measure 11 felonies carrying mandatory minimum sentences of years in state prison. Casey has experience defending clients against all of the following charges.
Assault I
Oregon’s most serious assault charge, Assault I carries a Measure 11 mandatory minimum of 7 years, 6 months in state prison. It typically involves serious physical injury, use of a dangerous weapon, or assault on certain protected persons. Casey has extensive experience defending Assault I charges from his years as a public defender.
Assault II
Assault II carries a Measure 11 mandatory minimum of 5 years, 10 months and is typically charged when the alleged assault caused serious physical injury or involved a dangerous or deadly weapon. Questions of what constitutes “serious physical injury” and the circumstances of any weapon’s involvement are central to the defense.
Assault III & IV
Assault III and IV are the lesser assault degrees in Oregon — serious charges, but not Measure 11 offenses. They still carry the potential for significant jail or prison time and a permanent felony or misdemeanor record. Casey examines whether the prosecution can prove the required level of intent and the nature of any alleged injury.
Strangulation
Strangulation is a standalone felony in Oregon and is frequently charged in domestic violence contexts. Even without visible injury, the charge can be based solely on the alleged victim’s account. A Measure 11 designation can apply in certain circumstances, and early, aggressive defense is critical.
Menacing & Harassment
Menacing and harassment charges can arise from heated confrontations where no physical contact occurred at all. The credibility of the alleged victim’s account, the context of the interaction, and any evidence of what actually occurred are central to defending these charges effectively.
Robbery I & II
Robbery — a form of theft involving force or the threat of force — is both a violent crime and a Measure 11 offense, carrying mandatory minimums of 5 years, 10 months to 7 years, 6 months. Mistaken identity, the absence of a weapon, and the nature of the alleged force are common defense issues in robbery cases.
Kidnapping I & II
Kidnapping charges in Oregon can arise from situations involving domestic disputes, custody conflicts, or other circumstances where movement and intent are contested. Both degrees carry Measure 11 mandatory minimums, and the specific facts of what occurred — including any consent — are essential to the defense.
Murder & Manslaughter
The most serious violent offenses in Oregon’s criminal code, murder and manslaughter carry mandatory minimums ranging from 6 years, 3 months to 25 years in state prison. These cases require exhaustive investigation, expert witnesses, and the most experienced defense representation available from the very beginning.
Recklessly Endangering Another Person
This charge alleges conduct that created a substantial risk of serious physical injury to another person — even without physical contact. It is often charged alongside assault or domestic violence offenses. Casey examines whether the conduct actually created the risk alleged and whether the required mental state can be proven.
Defense Strategies
Possible Defenses to Oregon Assault & Violent Crime Charges
There are several recognized defenses to assault and violent crime charges in Oregon. The right defense depends on the specific facts of what occurred — and on an attorney who has the experience to identify and develop it effectively.
Self-Defense
Oregon law recognizes the right to use physical force — including deadly force in certain circumstances — to defend yourself from what you reasonably believed to be an imminent unlawful physical threat. Casey examines the full context of the confrontation, including who initiated the contact, what threat existed, and whether the force used was proportionate to that threat.
Defense of Others
Just as you may defend yourself, Oregon law recognizes the right to use force to defend a third party from an unlawful physical threat. This defense requires showing that you reasonably believed the other person was in danger and that the force used was necessary and proportionate. Casey builds this defense through witness accounts and a thorough reconstruction of what actually occurred.
Mistaken Identity
Eyewitness identification is one of the most frequently challenged forms of evidence in violent crime cases — and one of the most unreliable. Lighting conditions, stress, distance, and other factors all affect a witness’s ability to accurately identify someone. Casey scrutinizes the identification process for weaknesses that can undermine the prosecution’s case.
Challenge the Evidence
Video footage, witness statements, medical records, and physical evidence can all be interpreted in multiple ways. What appears straightforward in the prosecution’s account often looks quite different under rigorous examination. Casey conducts an independent investigation into the events surrounding the arrest — seeking inconsistencies and alternative interpretations that support your defense.
Unlawful Search & Seizure
If law enforcement obtained evidence through an unlawful stop, arrest, or search — without proper legal justification — that evidence may be subject to suppression under the Fourth Amendment. Evidence that cannot be used cannot convict you. Casey examines the circumstances of every contact between law enforcement and the defendant for constitutional violations.
Choice of Evils
Oregon recognizes a “choice of evils” defense — also called the necessity defense — which applies when a person commits what would otherwise be a crime in order to prevent a greater harm. While rarely employed, this defense can be applicable in certain circumstances where no other option existed. Casey evaluates whether this defense may apply to your situation and how to present it most effectively.
Casey’s Approach
A Comprehensive Investigation Into Every Violent Crime Case
The prosecution begins building its case the moment of arrest. Casey begins building yours just as fast. In violent crime cases, early investigation can be the difference between a strong defense and one built on whatever evidence the police chose to preserve.
Casey conducts a comprehensive, independent investigation into the events leading to the arrest — interviewing witnesses, reviewing footage and physical evidence, examining police reports for inconsistencies, and identifying every possible weakness in the state’s case.
Evidence such as video footage and witness statements can be interpreted in multiple ways. The story the prosecutor tells is rarely the only story the facts support — and often, a thorough investigation reveals a version of events that is quite different from the one the state is relying on. Casey brings that alternative narrative to light and presents it forcefully at every stage of the proceeding.
From pre-trial motions challenging the admissibility of evidence, through negotiations with the prosecutor, through trial if necessary — Casey is aggressive, prepared, and fully committed to the best possible outcome for every client he represents.
Independent Scene Investigation
Casey investigates the incident independently of what law enforcement collected — reviewing the scene, identifying additional witnesses, and ensuring no exculpatory evidence is overlooked or lost.
Video & Physical Evidence Review
Surveillance footage, body camera video, and physical evidence are examined critically. What law enforcement says footage shows and what it actually depicts are not always the same thing — Casey looks closely at every frame.
Witness Interview & Credibility Analysis
Eyewitness accounts are examined for consistency, bias, and reliability. Prior statements, relationship to the alleged victim, and the conditions under which the observation was made all affect how much weight any testimony should carry.
Pre-Trial Motions
Where the evidence supports it, Casey files pre-trial motions to suppress unlawfully obtained evidence, challenge the legal sufficiency of the charge, and exclude prejudicial material — strengthening your position before trial even begins.
Negotiation & Trial
Casey negotiates hard for charge reductions or dismissals wherever the facts allow. If a favorable resolution cannot be reached, he takes the case to trial — prepared to present your defense forcefully to a jury.
What’s at Stake
The Consequences of an Oregon Assault or Violent Crime Conviction
Most assault and violent crime convictions in Oregon carry severe formal penalties — and for Measure 11 offenses, those penalties are mandatory. A judge has no discretion to impose a lighter sentence, regardless of your personal history, the circumstances of the offense, or any mitigating factors presented at sentencing.
Beyond the prison sentence, a violent crime conviction leaves a permanent mark on your record that affects nearly every aspect of your life going forward — employment, housing, professional licensing, firearm rights, and more.
Understanding what a conviction actually means — and what can be done to avoid it — is the starting point for every defense Casey builds. He gives every client a clear, honest assessment of the charges they face and what outcome realistically can be pursued.
- Mandatory Min. Assault I: 7 yrs 6 mos; Assault II: 5 yrs 10 mos; Murder: 25 years — with no early release or reduction
- Prison Class A felonies: up to 20 years; Class B: up to 10 years; Class C: up to 5 years in state prison
- Fines Substantial court fines and restitution to alleged victims for medical costs and other damages
- Probation Post-prison supervision with strict conditions that can last years beyond the prison sentence
- Firearms A felony conviction results in a lifetime prohibition on owning or possessing firearms
- Record A permanent violent felony record affecting employment, housing, and professional licensing opportunities
- No Contact Courts frequently impose no-contact orders that restrict contact with the alleged victim and sometimes family members
Your Defense
Why Oregon Defendants Choose Casey Kovacic for Assault Defense
Extensive Violent Crime Experience From Eight Years as a Public Defender
Before opening his own firm, Casey spent eight years at Metropolitan Public Defender Services handling criminal cases at every level — including serious assault, robbery, kidnapping, and homicide cases. He has stood beside clients facing the most serious charges in Oregon’s courts and knows what an effective defense in these cases looks like from the inside.
Thorough, Independent Investigation
Casey does not rely on what law enforcement gathered. He conducts an independent investigation into every violent crime case — interviewing witnesses, reviewing all available footage, examining physical evidence, and building a complete picture of what actually occurred. In many cases, that investigation reveals a story the prosecutor’s case doesn’t tell.
Experience Presenting Self-Defense and Defense of Others
Self-defense and defense of others are powerful, recognized defenses in Oregon — but they require a skilled presentation. Casey has experience building and presenting these defenses in court, framing the evidence and the testimony in a way that gives jurors the full context of what occurred and why the force used was justified.
Measure 11 Defense Experience
Most serious assault and violent crime charges in Oregon are Measure 11 offenses — which means the stakes could not be higher. Casey has extensive experience handling Measure 11 cases and understands the unique procedural and evidentiary issues that arise in these matters. He approaches every Measure 11 case with the gravity and preparation it demands.
Aggressive Representation at Every Stage
Casey represents clients aggressively from the moment he is retained — through investigation, pre-trial motions, negotiations, and trial. He is fully prepared to take assault and violent crime cases to a jury when a favorable negotiated resolution is not achievable, and prosecutors know it.
Act Now — Time Is Critical
Facing an Assault or Violent Crime Charge in Oregon? Contact Casey Kovacic Today.
Oregon prosecutors begin building their case immediately after an arrest. The sooner you have an experienced defense attorney in your corner, the more effectively your rights can be protected and your defense built. Call Casey now for a confidential consultation.
(503) 693-8725249 NE Lincoln Street, Hillsboro, OR 97124