A prosecutor may initially accuse you of committing simple assault or aggravated assault and prompt your criminal trial proceedings. Here, the New Jersey criminal court may evaluate the case and confirm or deny these allegations as fact. If they are leaning towards your disfavor, they may go as far as deducing what degree of aggravated assault you committed. With that being said, please read on to discover the different degrees of aggravated assault and how one of the experienced New Jersey & Pennsylvania criminal defense lawyers at The Vigilante Law Firm, P.C. can work to reduce the charge placed against you.
What is considered simple assault in New Jersey?
First of all, simple assault, as you may likely assume from the name, is generally considered a milder offense than aggravated assault. Specifically, the former is categorized as a disorderly persons offense while the latter is an indictable offense, as outlined by New Jersey criminal law.
Namely, simple assault is typically defined as causing or attempting to cause minor bodily injury to a victim. Or otherwise, placing a victim in fear of bodily injury. You must not be mistaken, though, as there are still serious consequences associated with this criminal offense. Specifically, if found guilty of this, you may be up against up to six months of jail time and up to a $1,000 fine.
What are the different degrees of aggravated assault in New Jersey?
Even though all forms of aggravated assault are indictable offenses, there are varying degrees in which it may be acted out. For one, fourth-degree aggravated assault may entail knowingly pointing or displaying a firearm at another person, displaying an extreme indifference to human life. This is attributed to a prison sentence of up to 18 months and a fine of up to $10,000.
Then, third-degree aggravated assault may be if you recklessly caused or attempted to cause significant bodily injury to a victim, possibly with a deadly weapon. Usually, this charge is administered if the perpetrator pointed or displayed a firearm at a law enforcement officer, or started a fire or caused an explosion that injured emergency services personnel. Nonetheless, the penalties here are three to five years of prison and a fine of up to $15,000.
The most serious offense is a second-degree aggravated assault. Here, you must have intentionally caused or attempted to cause serious bodily injury to a victim while using a deadly weapon. Or, you caused bodily injury while fleeing or attempting to flee a law enforcement officer. Here, you may face prison for five to 10 years and a $150,000 fine.
If you are ready to fight for what is right, please retain the services of one of the experienced New Jersey & Pennsylvania criminal defense lawyers. Our team at The Vigilante Law Firm, P.C. awaits your phone call.
