New Brunswick Assault by Auto Lawyer
An assault offense that the lawyers at The Law Offices of Jonathan F. Marshall handle frequently in Middlesex County is assault by auto. Reckless operation of a car, truck, motorcycle or other motor vehicle, including driving while intoxicated, can result in serious penalties when it results in an accident with injury. The severity of an assault by auto offense hinges largely on extent of the injuries sustained in the accident and nature of the recklessness. If you were charged with assault by auto in New Brunswick, Woodbridge, East Brunswick, Edison and Old Bridge, a qualified lawyer is ready to assist you. Our attorneys have over a century of experience representing defendants at the Superior Court in New Brunswick on crime of the second degree, third degree and fourth degree for assault by auto. You should also know that our defense team includes several ex-prosecutors and Jason Seidman who is a former Middlesex County Prosecutor. To speak to a lawyer at our New Brunswick Office, call us anytime 24/7 at 732-246-7126.
Assault by Auto Charge Explained
Assault by Auto or Vessel is defined as any situation in which the reckless operation of a vehicle or vessel causes either serious bodily injury or bodily injury to another person. There is an important distinction between “bodily injury” and “serious bodily injury”. Serious bodily injury is defined as “bodily injury which creates a substantial risk of death or which causes serious permanent disfigurement or protracted loss or impairment of the function of any bodily member or organ”. Assault by Auto or Vessel can range from a disorderly persons offense all the way to a crime in the second degree dependent upon several factors.
The Assault by Auto Law, N.J.S.A. 2C:12-1(c), sets forth a Disorderly Persons Offense, Fourth Degree, Third Degree and Second Degree offense. The penalties that apply if someone is found guilt under 2C:12-1(c) depends on the grade of offense involved. Grading for Assault by Auto is as follows:
- Assault by Auto or Vessel is a disorderly persons offense if bodily injury results.
- Assault by Auto or Vessel is a fourth degree crime if the offender purposely drives aggressively toward another vehicle resulting in bodily injury. Assault by Auto or Vessel is a fourth degree crime if the operator of the vehicle or vessel is legally intoxicated or refuses to submit to a breathalyzer test and bodily injury results. Assault by Auto or Vessel is also a fourth degree crime if serious bodily injury results.
- Assault by Auto or Vessel becomes a third degree crime if the offender operates the vehicle or vessel while intoxicated or refuses to submit to a breathalyzer test and serious bodily injury results.
- Assault by Auto is a second degree crime if the offender is operating while intoxicated or refuses a breath test and was operating within 1,000 feet of any school property or a school crossing.
Woodbridge NJ Assault by Auto Defense Lawyers
This offense is very serious and clearly can result in imprisonment for a significant period. A skilled lawyer can make all the difference in eliminating this risk for those arrested in Woodbridge and elsewhere for violating 2C:12-1(c). Our lawyers are highly knowledgeable in both assault by auto and DWI defense, something that can prove invaluable in defending your charge in South Brunswick, Sayreville, Piscataway, Perth Amboy or Metuchen. An attorney with the skills you need is available to assist you immediately by contacting our Woodbridge Office at 732-751-4458. Do not make the mistake of underestimating the severity of an assault by auto charge. Call our attorneys now for a free consultation.
The defense team at The Law Offices of Jonathan F. Marshall includes skilled criminal lawyers that defend assault by auto charges in Middlesex County including in Piscataway, Woodbridge, New Brunswick, East Brunswick, Edison, Old Bridge, Sayreville, Monroe, Carteret, Metuchen, Middlesex, North Brunswick, Perth Amboy, South Brunswick, Plainsboro, South Plainfield, South River and Spotswood NJ.
