Wanda Milligan, a 52-year-old Redwood City woman, was arrested on Wednesday August 29 on charges of assault with a deadly weapon. According to news reports, Milligan allegedly chased two men with a broken bottle in Palo Alto at the University Avenue Caltrain station.
The incident took place at around 12:15 a.m., when the suspect reportedly punched a man in the chest at least two times, then broke a bottle so that she could use it as a weapon as she chased the men around the train station, located at 95 University Ave. Police Agent Adrienne Moore stated that the broken bottle could have caused considerable injury to the two men, ages 45 and 55. They were not injured in the incident.
The two men who were chased at the station are residents of Mountain View and San Jose. Agent Moore stated that the case has not yet been completed. The suspect was charged with battery and assault with a deadly weapon and booked in the Santa Clara County Main Jail according to Moore.
The penalties handed out to those convicted on charges of assault with a deadly weapon are severe. Redwood City criminal defense lawyers understand that without capable legal representation, individuals may face fines of as much as $10,000 and up to 4 years in prison if the weapon used in the assault was not a firearm. When an assault weapon, machine gun or .50 BMG rifle is used in the commission of the crime, prison time will be extended to up to 12 years. In either case, the convicted individual will have a permanent criminal record that will negatively impact every aspect of his or her life, including employment and housing opportunities.
An experienced attorney may use one of many defenses to protect the rights and freedom of those accused of assault with a deadly weapon. You may have been acting in self defense; perhaps you are disabled or have injuries that would make it impossible for you to have committed the offense you were accused of. Regardless of the circumstances, it is urgent that you seek the guidance and skill of an aggressive Redwood City criminal defense attorney right away. The sooner you do, the more time your lawyer has to analyze the situation and prepare a strong case.