How much time would you spend in jail for injuring someone badly?

Answer 1

It depends on a number of factors. First, why and how did the injury occur? If it was accidental, it may not give rise to criminal liability at all. Or, if the injury was in response to a similar attack, it may be self defense, and therefore excusable.

If there is a criminal charge, the type of charge makes a difference. For example, intentional injury (such as battery) will receive a harsher punishment than unintended injury (criminal negligence, like in a car accident).

From there, mitigating factors will be considered. Perhaps it was a battery, but you punched someone in response to something awful they said. Not excusable, but less culpable than punching someone random. Or, perhaps you did strike a pedestrian with your car, but it was because you swerved to avoid hitting another car. Again, not an excuse, but better than if you hit them because you were texting while driving.

From there, the court would consider your prior criminal background, any relevant aggravating circumstances, your behavior since the event, your mental status at the time, of the event, and will render what the court believes to be a fair and appropriate sentence, given the circumstances.

Answer 2

It depends on the seriousness of the "beating" if the injuries and severity of the beating rose to that of attempted murder you could be looking at a felony charge.