Monmouth County Assault Lawyer

Assault can have many definitions in Monmouth County, which means being charged with assault can be a deceptively confusing experience. If you are accused of assault, a knowledgeable Monmouth County assault lawyer could help you through the legal process. Experienced criminal defense attorneys are aware of the terminology, the local and state laws, and the potential defenses that may help you construct a strong defense.

Assault includes crimes ranging from disorderly person offenses to second-degree felonies. With those charges come penalties equally as diverse in terms of jail time, probation, fines, and civil lawsuits. Anyone facing assault charges could benefit from enlisting the help of experienced attorneys who know the ins and outs of local assault laws.

Assault can be defined in a number of ways. According to New Jersey Statutes §2C:12-1, simple assault occurs when an individual commits any of the following actions:

• Attempts to cause—or purposely, knowingly, or recklessly causes—bodily injury to another
• Negligently causes bodily injury to another with a deadly weapon
• Attempts by physical menace to put another person in fear of imminent serious bodily injury

Other common assault charges include aggravated assault, hazing, assault and battery, harassment, domestic assault, criminal mischief, stalking, carjacking, and assault with a vehicle or deadly weapon. All these charges carry different penalties with varying degrees of severity.

Monmouth County law enforcement typically views simple assault cases as petty disorderly persons offenses, which means these cases are usually handled within municipal courts. However, anyone convicted on simple assault charges or for a more severe assault-related crime can carry harsh penalties, including but not limited to:

• Jail time
• Probation
• Fines, including court costs, domestic violence surcharges, and paying for assessments such as a Victims of Crime Compensation Board Assessment (VCCB) and a Safe Neighborhood Assessment
• Loss of the right to vote, possess a passport or firearm, and/or sit on a jury    
• Restitution paid to the victim(s), if said victim(s) files a successful civil lawsuit

Seasoned Monmouth County assault lawyers are well-versed in defense strategies to help formulate a dependable defense of their clients’ best interests. Defenses to combat assault charges can include an injury not matching the severity of the crime with which law enforcement charged the accused party, the injury not being caused by reckless or intentional action, and/or self-defense.

Being charged with assault can be confusing, overwhelming, and frightening for the accused individual. Accidents and mistakes happen, and the consequences of those mistakes should not follow you or your family for the rest of your lives.

If you or someone in your life is facing charges for any variation of assault, it may be important that you have strong legal representation to help you through the process. A Monmouth County assault lawyer could provide qualified legal assistance and advice and fight hard to provide you with a positive outcome to your case. Call today to schedule an initial consultation.