Hightstown Simple Assault Lawyer
Charged with Simple Assault in Borough of Hightstown? Let Borough of Hightstown Simple Assault Lawyers Positively Resolve Your Charge.
The most common variety of assault offense in Hightstown is referred to as simple assault. This charge is a misdemeanor in nature as contrasted with aggravated assault which is a fourth, third or second degree crime (i.e. a felony) that can only be dealt with a the Mercer County Courthouse in Trenton. If you have been charged with assaulting your spouse, a boyfriend/girlfriend, a neighbor or total stranger, hiring a skilled lawyer is probably your most powerful tool to insure you have the best chance of escaping the consequences of a guilty finding. The attorneys that serves on the defense team at the Law Offices of Jonathan F. Marshall is well situated to serve your interests in Highstown Municipal Court with over a century of collective experience. A former prosecutor on our staff or another qualified attorney is available immediately at 609–683–8102. Call us for a free consultation with one of our lawyers.
Assault Charge in Hightstown New Jersey
The definition of simple assault is found in N.J.S.A. 2C:12-1a. The term and related criminal offense applies in many contexts ranging from intentional efforts to injure to innocent oversight resulting in bodily injury. You can be convicted of simple assault under 2C:12-1a if you:
- Negligently cause bodily injury;
- Attempt to cause bodily injury;
- Engage in physical menace to put someone in fear of imminent serious bodily injury; or
- Knowingly, purposely or recklessly cause bodily injury to the alleged victim.
For purposes of a Hightstown simple assault offense, “bodily injury” means anything that causes at least momentary pain. There need not be bruising or other signs of injury in order for bodily injury to exist. Some does something “negligently” when they fail to exercise the level of care of a reasonable person under similar circumstances. “Recklessness” is a higher stand but falls short of intentional or purposeful. It contemplates conduct involving a conscious disregard of the probability of injury to another person.
Penalties for a Simple Assault. The penalties for a simple assault include the potential for a $1,000 fine and 180 days in jail. Other penalties that may be ordered by the municipal court judge in Hightstown include restitution, community service, anger management and suspension of your driver’s license. All of these penalties can be avoided by a first time offender who applies, is accepted and successfully completes the Conditional Dismissal program.
Hightstown Simple Assault Defense Attorneys
Simple assault arises in Hightstown under many scenarios including domestic violence, bar fighting, neighborhood disagreements, youth sporting events and any number of other scenarios. If you are facing this Hightstown New Jersey charge, you are one of many individuals facing this offense annually under 2C:12-1a. Retaining an attorney who has extensive experience in defending assault charges can be instrumental in averting a conviction and this is what we can provide at the Law Offices of Jonathan F. Marshall. We are seasoned criminal defense attorneys that have been serving clients in Hightstown Municipal Court for decades. Contact our firm to speak to a lawyer with the expertise you need to successfully resolve your simple assault case.