Charged With Assault With a Deadly Weapon, On a Police Officer or Some Other Variety of Aggravated Assault in Highland Park
There are many ways that a physical encounter can mushroom into an aggravated assault offense in Highland Park. The most common ways are where an assault where the alleged victim is a police officer, teacher, sustains serious or significant bodily injury or where the injury is sustained as a result of a deadly weapon. Irrespective of the scenario which results in a second degree, third degree or fourth degree crime for aggravated assault under N.J.S.A 2C:12-1b, however, you cannot afford to hire anything other than a skilled lawyer to defend your charge.
Aggravated assault is a very serious crime. It is always a felony that can land you in state prison for over a year and as much as ten. Avoiding incarceration and other penalties, as well as the collateral consequence of a criminal record that can impair your future, has much more to do with the quality of the Highland Park aggravated assault defense attorneys defending case than you probably imagine. An accomplished attorney will have the tools to capitalize on the weaknesses in the prosecutor’s case and the know-how to present your defenses so that the very best outcome is achieved on your behalf.
The lawyers at the Law Offices of Jonathan F. Marshall, have the attributes needed to effectively represent individuals charged with aggravated assault in Highland Park New Jersey. We are ex-prosecutors, including a former supervisor in the Middlesex County Prosecutor’s Office, who have over a century of combined experience handling assault charges in the region, including those filed in Highland Park. If you would like to speak to a lawyer free of charge, contact our New Brunswick Office. Attorneys on our team are available 24/7 at 732-246-7126.
Aggravated Assault Charge Under N.J.S.A. 2C:12-1b In Highland Park New Jersey
An aggravated assault in charge in Highland Park can arise as a second, third, or fourth degree felony crime under N.J.S.A. 2C:12-1b. The headings below clarify the more important aspects of this law in terms of grading and penalties.
- Causing serious bodily injury to another with extreme indifference to the value of human life or while eluding the police is a second degree aggravated assault which is subject to 5-10 years in prison, a presumption of incarceration, and a fine of up to $150,000.
- Knowingly or purposely causing bodily injury to another with a deadly weapon, pointing a firearm at a law enforcement officer with extreme indifference to the value of human life or attempting to cause significant bodily injury to another results in a third degree aggravated assault and penalties that include 3-5 years in prison and a fine of up to $15,000.
- When the victim of a simple assault is a police officer, teacher, EMT, firemen or another individual falling under 2C:12-1b(5), it results in aggravated assault. If the victim sustains bodily injury, the offense is a third degree crime, otherwise, it is a fourth degree aggravated assault that carries up to 18 months in prison and a fine of up to $10,000.
No Early Release Act. There are certain types of aggravated assault set forth in 2C:12-1b that trigger the No Early Release Act, commonly referred to as NERA. The sentencing provision requires that an individual serve at least 85% of their prison sentence before they are eligible for parole.
Pretrial Intervention. A first time offender facing a fourth degree or third degree crime for aggravated assault is eligible for Pretrial Intervention (“PTI”). This diversionary program allows an individual to avoid a criminal record upon completion of at least one of year of supervised probation.
Aggravated Assault Attorney in Highland Park New Jersey
New Jersey’s aggravated assault law provides for stiff penalties upon conviction so hiring a skilled attorney is imperative to reaching the best outcome. Our attorneys are accomplished litigators who have been defending assault charges arising in Highland Park and other municipalities at the Middlesex County Superior Court for decades. An aggravated assault defense lawyer at the Law Offices of Jonathan F. Marshall will take every possible action to have your 2C:12-1b offense dismissed. Contact us at 732–246-7126 to obtain a free consultation with one of the lawyers on our staff immediately.
Additional Highland Park Pages & Posts To Assist You
- Highland Park Criminal Lawyers
- Highland Park NJ Simple Assault Attorney
- Highland Park Domestic Violence & Restraining Order Lawyer