Aggravated Assault
Mercer County Aggravated Assault Lawyers
If you are accused of causing serious bodily injury to another, assault with a deadly weapon, or assaulting a police officer, you could be charged with aggravated assault. A Simple Assault or Resisting Arrest charge can quickly be escalated to felony aggravated assault if the victim suffers some type of serious injury or if a police officer is assaulted during the course of conduct. Serious bodily injury usually means a laceration, fractured or broken bones, extreme bruising or a torn tendon. Aggravated Assault is a felony charge and will therefore be heard in the Mercer County Superior Court. Aside from being a serious felony, aggravated assault falls under the Domestic Violence Act, which means it can be the basis a Final Restraining Order and if you are convicted of any act of domestic violence you forfeit certain rights like the ability to own a firearm. Therefore, it is essential that you retain a criminal defense firm with the knowledge and experience to defend you during this difficult time. The Law Offices of Jonathan F. Marshall has a team of seven attorneys comprised of veteran defense lawyers and former prosecutors with well over 100 years of combined experience. Contact us today to schedule a free initial consultation.
2C:12-1b Aggravated Assault Law
There are three different grades of aggravated assault which depend on the extent of physical injury, persons involved, and whether there was a weapon involved. The three different degrees are as follows:
2nd Degree Aggravated Assault
Aggravated Assault can be a second degree felony if you attempt to cause serious bodily injury to another or cause serious bodily injury under circumstances manifesting extreme indifference to the value of human life. This usually happens when the victim suffers a significant injury such as a broken bone. A person can also be charged with second degree aggravated assault if while fleeing or eluding the police there is an accident and someone suffers bodily injury. A second degree felony is punishable by 5 – 10 years in state prison with a presumption of mandatory incarceration.
3rd Degree Aggravated Assault
Third degree aggravated assault usually involves a situation where a weapon is brandished. If you display or point a firearm at another, display or use an imitation firearm to intimidate a police officer, or cause bodily injury to another with a deadly weapon. Additionally if you attempt to cause significant bodily injury to another, or purposely or recklessly causes significant bodily injury you can be charged with a third degree aggravated assault. If you are found guilty of a third degree crime you could face a maximum of 3 – 5 years in prison, up to 5 years probation and a felony record.
4th Degree Aggravated Assault
Aggravated can be a fourth degree offense if you recklessly cause injury to someone else with a weapon. It can also be a fourth degree crime if you recklessly point a gun, whether it is believed to be loaded or unloaded, in the direction or vicinity of another. A fourth degree felony is punishable by up to 18 months in state prison, probation, fines, and a permanent criminal record.
Trenton Aggravated Assault Lawyers
If you have been charged or arrested for aggravated assault you are facing serious consequences that could permanently alter your life. It is important that you contact an experienced criminal defense lawyer to represent you and protect your interests. The Law Offices of Jonathan F. Marshall represents clients charged with aggravated assault throughout Mercer County, New Jersey including Hamilton, Ewing, Trenton, Princeton, Hopewell, Lawrenceville, Robbinsville, West Windsor, Hightstown, and East Windsor. To speak with an aggravated assault defense lawyer contact us today at (609) 683-8102.