Assault Charges

A New Jersey Attorney for Assault Charges

Violent crimes in Cedarville are among the most aggressively investigated and prosecuted offenses in the state of New Jersey, and people who are convicted of violent crimes are often facing serious legal penalties that can affect them for years or even decades. Under New Jersey law, there are various types of assault, but they all arise from situations in which a person injures another person, attempts to injure another person, or puts another person in fear of imminent physical harm. Assault cases can range from a petty disorderly persons offense to a serious crime that may result in extensive jail time. For this reason, if you have been accused of assault in the state of New Jersey, you should contact an experienced attorney as soon as possible to retain qualified legal representation.

Simple Assault in Cedarville

Under New Jersey law, the offense of simple assault involves the following:

  • Attempting to cause or purposely, knowingly, or recklessly causing bodily injury to another person;
  • Negligently causing bodily injury to another with a deadly weapon;
  • Attempting by physical menace to put another in fear of imminent serious bodily injury.

Simple assault is a disorderly persons offense, unless it occurs in the context of a fight or scuffle that was entered into by mutual consent, in which case it is a petty disorderly persons offense.

Assault in Cedarville, NJ

Aggravated Assault in Cedarville

Aggravated assault is a serious crime in New Jersey and is considered an indictable offense, which in most states is referred to as a “felony.” The statute is written very broadly and can apply to a number of different scenarios, including the following:

  • Causing serious bodily injury in Cedarville
  • Assaulting a law enforcement officer, fireman, or a person in emergency medical services
  • Assaulting someone with a deadly weapon
  • Attempting to cause serious injury with a deadly weapon

Whether or not a particular assault case will be brought as a disorderly persons offense or indictable offense is dependent on a number of variables, but in either case, it is important for defendants to retain a lawyer immediately.

Penalties and Defenses for Assault Charges

As is often the case with violent crimes, one of the most commonly used defenses in New Jersey assault cases is that of self-defense. New Jersey law recognizes a person’s right to use self-defense when they believe they are in danger of immediate harm – but they may only use as much force as is reasonably necessary to defend against a particular threat. For example, shooting someone who raised a fist against you would likely not be recognized as a legitimate exercise of self-defense. Raising self-defense in an assault case can be complicated, as it is often unclear as to who started a particular confrontation and whether or not a person's belief that they were in danger was reasonable. For this reason, if you are facing an assault case and believe that you were acting in self-defense, you should contact an attorney immediately.

People who are convicted of assault in Cedarville may face significant legal penalties that could affect them for years to come. Some of the more common legal consequences associated with an assault conviction include the following:

  • Probation
  • Community Service
  • Jail time

There are often collateral consequences associated with an assault conviction that are completely distinct from any court-ordered penalties. Being convicted of a crime in Cedarville results in the creation of a criminal record, and an assault on your record may prevent you from getting a job, renting an apartment, or being admitted to a particular academic program. In addition, as a matter of public record, an assault conviction can have a significant impact on your reputation within your community as it can be discovered by anyone with sufficient curiosity and an internet connection.

Call a New Jersey Criminal Defense Lawyer Today to Schedule a Consultation

If you have been accused of assault or any other violent crime in New Jersey, you should call criminal defense attorney Daniel R. Danzi as soon as possible. Mr. Danzi provides effective and solution-oriented legal advice and representation to individuals accused of a variety of crimes and is dedicated to ensuring that each client he represents receives the best outcome available. With more than 25 years of experience practicing law, Mr. Danzi has the skill and experience required to defend your freedom and reputation. To schedule a consultation with Mr. Danzi, please call our office today at 973-331-1175 or send us an email through our online contact form.

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