Our Former Prosecutors Will Put Their Decades of Experience And Success In Defending Simple Assault Charges Into Action
An arrest in Harrison New Jersey for simple assault can be a traumatic and unsettling experience. The situation only gets more troubling for those charged with a NJ simple assault offense when they realize that a conviction will leave them with a record, fines and even the chance of being sent to the Hudson County Correctional Center. Representation by a top-notch criminal attorney with experience defending Harrison NJ simple assault charges can go a long way in not only eliminating anxiety but also the risk of a negative outcome in Harrison Municipal Court.
We are the Law Offices of Jonathan F. Marshall, a team of accomplished defense lawyers with the qualifications needed to win your simple assault case. Our firm’s unique credentials for success include:
- 10 attorneys whose practices are devoted exclusively to the defense of criminal and other charges
- Over 200 years of combined experience
- Former prosecutors at State, County and Municipal Level on staff
- Certified criminal trial attorneys
- A long history of acquittals and downgrades achieved on behalf of clients arrested for simple assault
An attorney who has a thorough understanding of the law and refined skill in litigating assault charges like the one you are facing is just a telephone call away and your initial consultation is free. Call us at 201.309.0500 to get your questions answered by a lawyer with the know-how to help you.
Simple Assault Offense in Harrison NJ
N.J.S.A. 2C:12-1(a) defines simple assault in terms of the types of behavior that either cause, attempt to cause, or threaten to cause injury to another person even in situations where the conduct was not intentional.
For example, if a loaded gun goes off while you are pointing it at another person, you could be charged with simple assault for negligently causing bodily injury to another person through the use of a deadly weapon. You might not have intended to fire the gun, but a judge or jury weighing the evidence might believe that pointing a loaded gun at a person was negligent behavior.
Knowingly, recklessly or purposely causing or attempting to cause bodily injury to another person is the second type of conduct that could lead to an arrest for simple assault. For instance, tossing a heavy object off the roof of a building knowing there are people below who could be hit is reckless conduct that could support a simple assault charge.
Although you might not attempt to harm another person, putting someone in fear of serious bodily injury by physically menacing conduct can also result in a Harrison simple assault charge. An example would be if you shouted threats at another person during an argument while waving your fist in close proximity to the person’s face.
Conduct that would normally be a simple assault as defined in N.J.S.A. 2C:12-1(a), which is the equivalent of a misdemeanor, could become the more serious offense of aggravated assault if the victim is among the class of individuals set forth in N.J.S.A. 2C:12-1(b)(5), including a police officer or teacher. Another potential complication that someone can experience arises if simple assault is allegedly committed against someone falling under the NJ Prevention of Domestic Violence Act because they have the right to seek a temporary or final restraining order.
Penalties That May Be Imposed For Simple Assault
A simple assault is a disorderly persons offense and a conviction exposes you to penalties that include up to six months in jail and up to $1,000 as a fine. There are, however, defenses we can pursue depending upon the facts unique to your case. Justification is a defense to a simple assault. Defending yourself or another person against an attack from an aggressor is self-defense and could lead to a dismissal of the charge. Another defense that can result in a reduction of the offense to a petty disorderly persons offense is the fact that you and the other party voluntarily engaged in a fight. A judge could sentence you to a fine of as much as $500 and up to 30 days in jail provided your defense team produces evidence supporting this defense.
Harrison Simple Assault Defense Lawyer
The attorneys at the Law Offices of Jonathan F. Marshall commit the time to thoroughly investigate the facts of your case to identify defenses and find evidence supporting your version of the event. Our extensive knowledge and experience litigating assault charges, particularly in Harrison Municipal Court, translates into a dismissal or downgrade to a non-criminal offense, an ordinance violation, in an extremely high percentage of cases. Call us now at 201.309.0500 to discuss the facts of your case with an attorney on our staff. Lawyers are available 24/7 to take your call and initial consultations are free.
