Our Jersey City Criminal Firm Has A Team Of Former Prosecutors With The Skill To Successfully Defend Your Aggravated Assault Charge in Bayonne New Jersey
Aggravated assault is a violent crime that carries severe penalties if you are convicting of committing this offense in Bayonne or anywhere else in New Jersey. Penalties include substantial fines and exposure to state prison. A conviction for aggravated assault also results in a felony criminal record that can impact your ability to obtain a job, secure a professional license or even maintain your immigration status. Selecting the best New Jersey aggravated assault lawyer you can find is exactly what is necessary to avert the negative consequences of a Bayonne aggravated assault charge.
The Law Offices of Jonathan F. Marshall has assembled a team of highly skilled and knowledgeable attorneys. Our practice possesses:
- Ten (10) lawyers whose practices are exclusively devoted to criminal defense
- 200 years of combined experience defending aggravated assault and related charges for domestic violence, weapon possession and restraining orders
- Former county prosecutors who have served as Director of Major Crimes, the Gangs Task Force, Special Operations, Juvenile Division and even an entire Trial Division
- Certified criminal trial attorneys
- Decades of success defending clients in the Criminal Division at the Hudson County Superior Court.
If you want to give yourself the best chance to avoid a conviction for committing aggravated assault in Bayonne, contact our accomplished criminal lawyers at 201-309-0500 for a free consultation. An attorney is available 24/7 to discuss your case, an appearance at CJP, a detention hearing or any other aspect of your case.
Bayonne Aggravated Assault Offense
Causing or attempting to cause an injury creating a substantial risk of death or permanent disfigurement to another person either purposely, knowingly, or recklessly with extreme indifference to human life is aggravated assault as defined in N.J.S.A. 2C:12-1(b). Brandishing a firearm or other deadly weapon in a fight could also cause police and prosecutors to charge you with aggravated assault instead of the less serious offense of simple assault, which is a misdemeanor and not a felony.
An aggravated assault charge usually involves violent conduct that is more severe what is associated with a simple assault but not always. Facts supporting only a simple assault can nonetheless result in an aggravated assault charge depending upon the occupation of the victim. If a police officer, firefighter, teacher or other person designated in N.J.S.A. 2C:12-1(b) is the victim of a simple assault, you could be charged with the more serious offense of aggravated assault. Representation from a skilled Bayonne criminal defense lawyer can help ensure that an assault case does not escalate in this fashion.
Penalties for an Aggravated Assault Conviction in Bayonne
The degree of an aggravated assault offense dictates the severity of the punishment a judge may impose if you are convicted. A second degree crime for aggravated assault carries the harshest penalties, including a fine of as much as $150,000 and a prison term of 5 to 10 years. A second degree aggravated assault also falls under the No Early Release Act (“NERA”) and requires that the accused complete at least 85% of their sentence before becoming eligible for parole.
Lesser degrees of aggravated assault carry with them shorter prison sentences and lower fines. For instance, the lowest classification of aggravated assault is a fourth degree crime that results in up to 18 months in prison and a fine of as much as $10,000. A third degree crime for aggravated assault triggers up to 5 years in prison and a fine of up to $15,000.
It is important to keep in mind that all aggravated assault charges are indictable, which means they are the equivalent to a felony in other states. Anyone conducting a background check on you (e.g., potential employers, licensing boards, etc.) will be influenced by the fact you have a criminal record as a felony offender.
There are a range of defenses that a savvy attorney like those at our firm may present on your behalf to secure a dismissal or downgrade of your charge. There is also the possibility of an application for Pretrial Intervention (“PTI”) which will allow you to avoid a record and penalties provided you successfully complete one year of probation.
Aggravated Assault Resulting in a Restraining Order
The New Jersey Domestic Violence Prevention Act allows a restraining order to be issued when someone is the victim of domestic violence, including someone who suffered an aggravated assault. The problem with this scenario is that it not only results in a criminal case but also collateral proceedings in the Family Division in Jersey City to determine whether a final restraining order should be issued. Enlisting a talented lawyer is especially important when someone is confronted with this dual threat.
Bayonne NJ Aggravated Assault Defense Lawyer
If you have been arrested and accused of aggravated assault attorney, you want an attorney who possesses the skills, knowledge and criminal trial experience to aggressively and successfully defend you. The Hudson County aggravated assault defense attorneys at the Law Offices of Jonathan F. Marshall limit their practices to criminal defense to offer formidable and innovative representation that gets results. Call us now at 201-309-0500 for a free consultation at any time of the day or night with a member of our defense team.
