Assault and Battery Between Two Sisters

My question involves criminal law for the state of: Oregon. Both my sister and I are here in Oregon from the state of California because my mother is terminally ill and has only a few weeks to live. I have never gotten along with my sister, and now we are both under alot of stress and saddness due to this situation. We got into an argument, it totally escalated where she started yelling and screaming at me and came towards me, about two inches from my face with her fists raised. As she was yelling her spit was splattering in my face. I grapped ahold of both sides of her head pulling her hair and pushed her away from me. She says I hurt and scratched her ear. She started screaming that I touched her and she was going to call the police. She ran out of the house and was gone for several hours, when she returned she packed her bags and returned to California. As she left, she stated I have a surprise in store for me when this is over ( I took that to mean when my Mom dies). I am beside myself, don't know what to do, and am here by myself. I have to stay here since my mom needs 24 hour care. What can my sister do to me since I touched and pushed her? Have I commited assault and battery. What can I do to protect myself. Please respond. Thank you.

If the police were not called, what are you worried about?

If the police were not involved, then there is not much to worry about. In most instances, fights like these are not considered too serious by the authorities even if she were to report it later on.

Worry about your mom, and don't worry about this.

- Carl

Carl - Thank you for your reply. I don't know if the police were called or not. I thought maybe my sister went straight to an attorney and hired him serve me after my mom passes away. But as you can tell I don't know anything about what her options are. I am glad to hear that the courts wouldn't take it too seriously. And yes, the most important thing is my mom - I do have to say she is receiving the very best of care, love and support in her own home and knows nothing of this problem.

You can guess all day as to what she might do after your mom passes, but it would be purely guess work. Yeah, she can muddy the works in any probate case. Even an uncontested probate can take about a year (my mother-in-law's did) if there are assets and property to be disposed of.

Good luck to you and yours.

- Carl