Assault Defense Lawyers in Bergen County NJ
Assault crimes are some of the most common charges seen in Bergen County and other areas of New Jersey. These charges result from several different situations including road accidents, fights in bars and nightclubs, domestic disputes, and conflicts with police.
The severity of assault charge in NJ depends on involvement of weapon in the crime, level of force exercised by the accused and the degree of harm sustained by the victim. If you have been charged for an assault crime in Bergen County, you must not take it lightly as you might face a jail sentence and a criminal record that can have long-term consequences on your personal and professional lives.
An experienced New Jersey assault defense lawyer can help you fight for the best possible outcome in your assault case. Ron Bar-Nadav has an extensive knowledge of New Jersey criminal law and boasts a successful history of cases won. Contact us today for a case review to find out your options!
Types of Assault Charges in New Jersey
There are several different types of assault charges you can face in New Jersey. We provide legal representation and aggressive defense against every possible assault related charge in Hackensack and other regions of Bergen County, New Jersey. We have the skills and resources to take on all the types of assault cases.
Simple Assault
NJ Statute Section 2C:12-1 defines a simple assault as:
- Injury to a person with a deadly weapon
- Attempt to cause physical injury
- Physical menace with a threat of harm
Though simple assault is considered a less serious crime, penalties can include a fine of up to $1000 and up to 6 months of prison. If the assault involves two people, the offense involves a punishment of up to 30 days in jail.
Aggravated Assault
According to the NJ Statute Section 2C:1b, an assault is considered aggravated in case:
- The defendant attempts to cause serious bodily injury.
- Attempts to cause physical injury with a deadly weapon.
- Commits a simple assault against protected individuals like medical professionals, firefighters, or law enforcement officers.
- Point a firearm at somebody, whether it is loaded or not.
New Jersey identifies an aggravated assault as a felony and the charges are classified into the following degrees:
Fourth Degree – This is the least severe type of aggravated assault. The penalty can include fine of up to $10,000 and prison of up to 18 months
Third Degree – A third-degree assault charge is the one that involves attempting or causing physical injury. This type of crime can result in a penalty of up to $15,000 and up to 5 years of jail.
Second Degree – This is the most serious assault charge and can attract penalty of up to $1,50,000 and up to 10 years of prison.
Sexual Assault
According to the Statute Section 2C:14-2, sexual assault is defined as an act where:
- The victim is less than 13 years of age and the defendant is more than 4 years old.
- An act of sexual penetration is committed by a guardian or relative on a victim who is 16-18 years old.
- Sexual penetration is done using physical force and the victim does not sustain a severe injury.
- The victim is at least 13 years of age and less than 16 years old and the defendant is at least four years older.
In case the victim sustains several injuries or the defendant threatens the victim with a weapon, the assault is considered aggravated and the penalty depends on the degree of the crime. If the sexual assault is committed during another crime like kidnapping or robbery, it is classified as aggravated assault. Penalties for second-degree sexual assault in New Jersey can include up to $1,50,000 fine and 5-10 years of jail. An aggravated sexual assault is considered first-degree offense and can attract a penalty of up to $2,00,000 and a prison of up to 10-20 years.
Assault on an Officer
Engaging in an assault on an officer gets you an aggravated assault charge; it is automatically considered a fourth-degree offense. In case the officer sustains a physical injury, it is a third-degree charge. A fourth-degree assault can get you a penalty of up to $10,000 and 18 months of jail. Penalties for third-degree assault can include fine of up to $15,000 and as much as five years of prison.
Assault with an Auto
If an assault is committed with the use of a vehicle, the defendant must have:
- Caused the accident
- Operated the vehicle
- Caused harm to somebody
- Engaged in reckless conduct
The penalties for this type of assault depends on the degree of the assault and can be anything from 6 months to up to 20 years in prison and varying amounts of fine.
Lawyer for Assault Charge in Hackensack NJ
When you or your family member has been faced with an assault charge or any other crime in Hackensack, it is important to know all the available options to get your charges dismissed. Based on the facts of your case, we devise the right defense plan and argue aggressively in the court in an attempt to negotiate and protect your rights.
For additional information and a free consultation, you can reach us out anytime at 201-525-1555 or use our online contact form.
