Understanding New Jersey’s Assault Laws

An assault charge can severely disrupt your life. One simple lapse in judgment can wind up following you for years, and perhaps for the rest of your life. If you’re facing assault charges in New Jersey, the first step is to secure quality and experienced legal representation. The next step may be to identify the many types of assault that occur in New Jersey and see where your situation fits. It is important to understand these laws so that you can determine your legal options, as well as the penalties that potentially await you in the event of a conviction. An experienced attorney can help you figure out your best course of action and avoid a lengthy jail sentence.

There are generally two types of assault that can bring about criminal charges in New Jersey:

Simple Assault
You can be charged with simple assault if you purposely or recklessly caused or intended to commit bodily injury to another; negligently caused injury to another while using a deadly weapon; or attempted to put someone in imminent danger or cause bodily injury. Simple assault is typically considered a disorderly persons offense, which carries a potential six-month jail sentence. However, if the assault involves a fight mutually entered into by both parties, the charge may be classified as a petty disorderly persons offense, which carries a potential sentence of 30 days in jail.

Aggravated Assault
Aggravated assault charges are far more serious and can land the offender in prison for years. A person can be charged with aggravated assault if they recklessly or purposefully caused bodily injury to someone while using a deadly weapon or purposefully attempted to cause someone serious bodily harm in general. Offenders can be charged a second degree, third degree, or fourth degree felony for aggravated assault. A conviction of second degree aggravated assault charges carries a potential sentence of up to 10 years in prison with 85% of that time being ineligible for parole.

There are numerous different behaviors that may fall under either one of these categories. It’s critical that those facing any kind of assault charges consult with an experienced attorney to learn their best choices for an effective defense.

The legal team at Bramnick, Rodriguez, Grabas, Arnold & Mangan, LLC specializes in helping clients overcome their assault charges so that they can move on with their lives. Don’t let one mistake dictate your entire future. Call us today for a free consultation so we can begin planning your defense.