Ocean County NJ Simple Assault Defense Lawyers
With Offices Conveniently Located in Brick and Sea Girt, NJ
Many charged with simple assault charges, enter a local municipal court expecting a slap on the wrist and come to find out that the proceedings may not be as “simple” as they might have thought. If you have harmed another individual, even in self defense, it is important to seek counsel and be certain that your rights are protected and that your side is heard. Many come down for a night, weekend, or even a week at the Jersey Shore and never expected to leave with a criminal offense on their record, with a classification of “violent”.
With the seriousness of an assault charge hanging over your head, it is critical to find a defense lawyer with significant experience representing clients who face these charges. The Criminal attorneys At The Bronzino Law Firm have the experience clients need to assist in resolving their assault cases. We know that many times, an assault charge is simply the result of unfortunate circumstances, with a person who was just in the wrong place at the wrong time. Contact our Brick office today at (732) 812-3102 to discuss your case and find a guide through the legal process.
N.J.S.A. 2C:12-1(a) Simple Assault Lawyers Monmouth County
Charges for simple assault can arise from a variety of situations, including bar fights, game-time scuffles, and domestic violence incidents. Regardless of the origin of these charges, a conviction for a criminal offense classified as “violent” can lead to a host of negative consequences for your life.
The New Jersey Criminal Code addresses simple assault in N.J.S.A. 2C:12-1(a), stating the following with regard to these offenses:
A person is guilty of assault if he:
(1) Attempts to cause or purposely, knowingly or recklessly causes bodily injury to another;
(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.
Simple assault is a disorderly person’s offense unless committed in a fight or scuffle entered into by mutual consent, in which case it is a petty disorderly persons offense.
Penalties for Simple Assault at the Jersey Shore
Simple assault, which is typically considered a disorderly persons offense, is punishable by a 6-month term of imprisonment in the county jail and up to $1,000 in fines. On the other hand, if you entered into the altercation mutually, you may be charged with a petty disorderly persons offense, which can entail a 30-day county jail sentence, and a maximum fine of $500. Both of these charges, which will result in a charge on your criminal record upon conviction, are adjudicated at the Municipal Court level:
- Simple Assault as a Disorderly Persons Offense: maximum sentence of 6 months to be served in the county jail and a fine of up to $1,000
- Simple Assault as a Petty Disorderly Persons Offense: maximum sentence of 30 days to be served in the county jail and a fine of up to $500
Contact Brick and Sea Girt NJ Simple Assault Lawyers for Help with Your Case
To learn more about how our Jersey Shore simple assault and criminal defense lawyers can protect the interests of you or someone you love, contact our Brick or Sea Girt offices at (732) 812-3102 for immediate assistance. We serve clients across Ocean and Monmouth County, and are familiar with most if not all municipal courts.