Simple Assault Lawyer Trenton

Simple assault is a serious crime, and, as such, carries significant repercussions for those convicted of it. This is considered a crime of violence by many schools, employers, and others who may run a background check on you. In most instances, it is charged in cases of minor injuries resulting from fights or scuffles. These charges are usually filed in your local municipal court and are considered to be disorderly persons offenses.

Having a conviction for a violent criminal offense can have a long-lasting impact on your future and reputation. Such a conviction, even for a minor crime, can limit your career opportunities, due to background checks that many employers execute before hiring potential candidates. Charges for offenses such as simple assault are far from “simple.” Although this offense is generally considered a disorderly persons offense, anyone who is found guilty could face costly fines and even jail time. If you need help defending yourself from accusations of a simple assault, you should retain the services of an experienced attorney. The criminal defense attorneys at The Law Offices of Greg Prosmushkin, P.C. are here to help you.

The New Jersey criminal code defines simple assault in such a way that a person can be found guilty of simple assault if he or she:

• (1)Attempts to cause or purposely, knowingly or recklessly causes bodily injury to another; or
• (2)Negligently causes bodily injury to another with a deadly weapon; or
• (3)Attempts by physical menace to put another in fear of imminent serious bodily injury.
• NJ Rev Stat § 2C:12-1 (2013)

Simple assault is a disorderly persons offense, and generally carries a potential sentence of up to 6 months in jail. Courts may also order mandatory anger management classes, probation/parole, potential restitution to the complaining witness, and fines and court costs.

Trenton Simple Assault Lawyer

If you have been charged with simple assault, you have the right to assert certain defenses, such as mutual combat (when two people engage in a fight), and self-defense. The mutual combat defense will lower the simple assault charge to a petty disorderly case, and result in a lower type of crime and fines/costs. Self-defense, however, is an absolute defense. If you assert self-defense, and the court agrees with your assertion, it means you will be found not guilty of the crime of simple assault.

All of the defenses available to a person charged with simple assault are complicated and you should not attempt to assert them on your own. It is always advised to retain an experienced criminal defense attorney if you are charged with simple assault. An attorney will be able to review discovery and fight in court for your rights.

An experienced lawyer can help you either get a downgrade to a non-criminal offense or help you win the case outright. The earlier you get an attorney involved, the better the result is likely to be.

Call Us Today for a Free Consultation

Call The Law Offices of Greg Prosmushkin, P.C. in Trenton today for a free consultation. The criminal defense attorneys at The Law Offices of Greg Prosmushkin, P.C. have decades of experience handling simple assault cases and can help you fight for your rights. In the past, we have been able to get favorable outcomes for our clients when accused of assault. Please call or email us to schedule your free initial consultation today.

This content was written on behalf of Greg Prosmushkin.