Hopewell Borough Simple Assault Lawyer
While Hopewell Borough, New Jersey is a tight-knit community, allegations of crime are made all the time. The simple assault attorneys at the Law Offices of Jonathan F. Marshall have more than 100 years of combined experience representing defendants in Hopewell who are facing criminal charges. Our team is well versed in how to fight to protect your rights when you have been charged with simple assault. We understand how important it is for your charges to be dropped or downgraded, and we want to help ensure that you receive fair treatment under the law. Contact our Princeton Office anytime 24/7 at 609–683–8102 to speak to a lawyer in a free initial consultation.
What Is Simple Assault?
Under N.J.S.A. 2C:12-1, several scenarios could constitute assault. Generally, assault is categorized as either simple assault or aggravated assault. Simple assault can occur when someone:
- Attempts to cause bodily injury to another.
- Purposely, knowingly or recklessly causes bodily harm to another.
- Negligently causes bodily harm to another by the use of a deadly weapon.
- Makes attempts by physical menace to put another in fear of imminent serious bodily injury.
Grading of Assault Offenses in New Jersey
The Hopewell Borough municipal court handles countless simple assault cases every year. Simple assault charges should be taken seriously even though a conviction for simple assault is usually graded as a disorderly persons offense. When the simple assault charge arises under the pretenses of a consensual fight, i.e., the parties to the fight egged each other on and consented to engage in a fight, then a simple assault conviction is usually graded as a petty disorderly persons offense. If the assault conviction involved a public official, like a member of the law enforcement, then the assault can be upgraded to a third degree or fourth degree aggravated assault crime depending on the extent of the injuries suffered by the public official. Any assault that is more serious than the simple assault offenses listed above is graded as aggravated assault. There is much at stake if you are facing simple assault charges. The skilled simple assault lawyers at the Marshall firm will fight to get your charges reduced or dropped entirely.
Common Defenses To Simple Assault Charges
The most common defense strategy for simple assault charges is that the prosecution will be unable to prove at least one element of the crime. For instance, the prosecution may not be able to prove that you had the requisite state of mind, i.e., the requisite intent, to be convicted of simple assault. Another common defense strategy is to assert that the defendant was acting out of self-defense or the defense of others.
Charged With Simple Assault in Hopewell Borough, NJ?
Like any criminal offense, a simple assault conviction can have a serious impact on your life that can be long-lasting. A simple assault conviction means that you will have a criminal record that can be found during a background check and you could face going to jail. In circumstances where the alleged victim is a romantic partner or family member, a simple assault offense could be sufficient to be issued a restraining order.
That is why it is so critically important for you to hire a skilled criminal defense attorney to help you prepare your defense. The simple assault criminal defense attorneys at the Marshall firm have been helping people in Hopewell Borough and the surrounding areas for many years and we are ready and available to help you too. Do not hesitate to contact us at 609–683–8102 to speak to an attorney immediately. Attorneys are available 24/7 for free consultations.