Lawrence NJ Simple Assault Lawyer
Charged With Simple Assault in Lawrence Township
The weekly calendar of the Lawrence Municipal Court is filled with disorderly persons offenses for simple assault and similar charges. If you were arrested in Lawrence Township for an assault because you allegedly caused bodily injury to another person, the offense you are facing is termed “simple assault”. Although the charge is the equivalent to a misdemeanor, a conviction carries with it serious consequences, including a criminal record and the possibility of up to 6 months in jail. And when the incident constitutes an act of domestic violence, you can also be looking at the impact of a restraining order. The situation obviously has the potential to be very complex when someone is charged with simple assault in Lawrence New Jersey and this is a strong reason for you to seek our a lawyer who is skilled in this area of law.
The Law Offices of Jonathan F. Marshall is a powerhouse criminal firm that features a team of defense lawyers that possess over a century of combined experience. Several of the attorneys have the benefit of prior experience serving as prosecutors learning how the court system works from both sides. An attorney with the knowledge and ability to help you achieve the very best result in your Lawrence simple assault case is ready to assist you immediately by calling 609–683–8102. The initial consultation is free so do not hesitate to contact our Lawrence Office for the advice and guidance you need.
Lawrence Simple Assault Offense
A bar fight at Doc’s Bar & Grill, a physical altercation at a Rider University sporting event or any number of other scenarios can result in a Lawrence simple assault offense. It is the obligation of the prosecutor of the Lawrence Township Municipal Court to prove a case under N.J.S.A. 2C:12-1. This law renders an individual guilty of simple assault if they:
- Attempt to cause bodily injury;
- Purposely, knowingly or recklessly cause bodily injury;
- Negligently cause bodily injury to another with a deadly weapon; or
- Attempt to put another in fear of imminent serious bodily injury through physically menacing conduct.
A disorderly persons offense such as simple assault falls under municipal court jurisdiction. What this means is that the municipal court judge in Lawrence, rather than a jury of your peers, will be deciding all issues of both law and fact relating to your case. If convicted of a Lawrence NJ simple assault, you face a fine of up to $1,000 and up to 6 months in the Mercer County Jail.
Lawmakers have established a diversionary program that is called conditional dismissal. This relief is reserved to first time offenders and requires completion of a period of probation that typically includes random drug testing. Completion of the program results in a dismissal of the offense without any record of conviction.
Lawrence Simple Assault Defense Attorney
While simple assault is a fairly common offense, that does not mean that it should be taken lightly. Failure to overcome a guilty finding will result in record that will follow you around for years and you are even looking at a potential jail sentence. Hiring the right defense attorney to defend a Lawrence simple assault charge can make all the difference. The lawyers at our firm, the Law Offices of Jonathan F. Marshall, have decades of experience appearing in Lawrence Municipal Court on behalf of clients charged with simple assault and other criminal violations. More importantly, the attorneys on our team have a long track record of success in escaping conviction. If you would like to speak to a lawyer at the firm anytime 24/7, call 609–683–8102.