Trenton Assault Lawyers

Assault Charges in New Jersey

Assault generally involves the action of knowingly, recklessly, or negligently causing injury to someone or to put the alleged victim in fear of imminent serious injury. It may or may not include the use of a deadly weapon.

Assault can be committed in various ways under the law. These can include:

• Simple assault
• Aggravated assault
• Assault by auto
• Assault with a deadly weapon
• Aggravated assault on a police officer

With so many different definitions of various assault charges, it can be complicated to understand your particular case and possible consequences. Our Trenton assault lawyers have experience with the various types of assault and how to defend them. Your charges and potential penalties will depend on the method of contact and who the alleged victim was, whether weapons were involved, surrounding circumstances, and prior offenses, if any.

Simple Assault

Classified as a disorderly person’s offense, simple assaults involve attempts (sometimes through negligence) to either cause bodily injury to another person or make another person fear imminent bodily injury. For simple assault charges, criminal penalties typically include up to $1000 in fines and a jail term of up to six months.

Despite the presence of the word “simple” in a simple assault charge, this crime is a serious matter and can have negative impacts on many areas of your life beyond the penalties potentially imposed by the court. Our skilled criminal defense attorneys at Davé Law Firm can act on your behalf in working to convince prosecutors of your innocence, which can result in lesser punishment or in some cases, dismissal of the entire case.

Aggravated Assault

In aggravated assault cases, you are being accused of purposely or knowingly causing bodily injury or attempting to cause bodily injury to another person. This could be through reckless behavior or through the use of a weapon or deadly weapon.

Also if a simple assault has taken place against one of the following types of victims, it can be elevated to an aggravated assault charge: government employees, utility workers, healthcare workers, first responders, firemen, law enforcement officers, and school employees.

For aggravated assault convictions, general punishments include jail terms between 18 months and 10 years, much more significant fines than simple assaults, and overall sentencing dependent on the details and seriousness of the case.

Other potential consequences of an aggravated assault charge in New Jersey include:

• Suspension of your driver’s license
• Mandatory payment of restitution to victims
• Challenges securing employment following the conviction
• Challenges finding housing following the conviction
• Impacts on your immigration status if you are an immigrant to the U.S.
• Ineligibility (or loss of eligibility) for financial aid if you are a student
• Losing or being denied professional licenses

Proven Legal Representation in Mercer County, NJ

Our firm has experience with both simple, aggravated, and other assault charges. If you are facing these charges, we urge you to contact us by calling (609) 554-7511 to get the help you need in building your defense case in pursuit of a positive result.