Crystal Hunt, a soap opera actress known for her roles on “One Life to Live” and “Guiding Light”, was charged with assault with a deadly weapon for allegedly throwing a drinking glass at a woman’s face during a bar fight.

The 28 year old actress allegedly threw a pint glass at the woman’s face, causing cuts and minor injuries, inside of a West Hollywood bar on December 13 of last year.  Hunt pleaded not guilty and is due back later this month in the Airport Courthouse.

If you have been charged with assault with a deadly weapon (ADW), it is important that you take this charge seriously.  An ADW charge can carry potential state prison time, large fines and a violent offense strike on your record pursuant to California’s “three strikes” law.

You might be asking yourself “what now?” if you have just bailed out of jail or are currently awaiting your first court appearance.  Well, as in the case above, many “ADWs” are charged when there is a fight and some kind of object is used to hurt or injure the victim and that object could potentially cause great bodily injury.  In the case above, a pint glass, as you could imagine, has the potential to cause severe injury to someone if it is thrown at their head.  Many “bar fights” that result in an arrest get charged as assaults with a deadly weapon, but are often able to be reduced through a plea deal if you have an aggressive defense attorney.

An assault with a deadly weapon is considered a “wobbler.”  This means the prosecutor can charge the offense as either a felony or a misdemeanor.  Attorney Ross Erlich regularly contacts the Los Angeles District Attorney’s office and speaks to prosecutors prior to the official filing.  This can allow for the presentation of facts that are favorable for clients and can help in getting the charge filed as a misdemeanor.

There are many other ways to resolve an assault with a deadly weapon so contact Attorney Ross Erlich today or 24/7 for a free case evaluation.