Assault & Threat Attorney in Monmouth County, NJ

What Is Considered Assault & How Our Attorneys Can Help You

Assaults and threats are acts that suggest violence or result in physical harm to another individual. When an individual makes threats or attempts to use force against another, they may be charged with an assault or threat crime in New Jersey. Even though assault and threat crimes may not involve physical harm to an individual, they are still serious charges that can bring major consequences.

The lawyers at The Law Offices of John F. Marshall are dedicated to protecting you against assault and threat charges. With more than 100 years of collective legal experience, we understand what assault and threat charges could mean for you. We’ll be with you through every step of the process, and we’ll work to get your charges dismissed.

If you’re facing an assault or threat charge, get legal counsel as soon as you can. If you need assistance after a charge, our dedicated attorneys are available to help 24/7. When our lawyers are involved, they’ll act quickly to protect you.

Our attorneys can:

• Take immediate action to protect you and your rights. When you’re charged with an assault or threat crime, experienced legal representation can change everything. Our assault and threat defense lawyers can intervene in your case immediately, advocate for you, advise you on your rights, and guide you through the legal process.
• Fight for your release on your own recognizance or with the lowest bail possible. In some cases, people charged with a crime may be eligible for release based upon their promise to appear for later court appointments. Whether this is available will depend on the nature of the charge and the individual’s prior record. Our lawyers will fight to get you released and work to reduce your bail to the lowest amount possible.
• Investigate the charges and their evidence. Assault and threat charges may be built on questionable evidence. We’ll search for problems with the evidence or the conduct of officers involved in the charge. We’ll examine the legality of your arrest, the testimony of witnesses, DNA evidence, bias, and any other evidence that police are using against you. Flaws in evidence can undermine charges and help your case. We’ll work to find any problems with the charges and their evidence.
• Inform you about the law and developments in your case. There are many steps in a criminal case. Changes in testimony and evidence may occur. Prosecutors may offer plea bargains. Our assault attorneys will keep you up-to-date on any developments and advise you on how to proceed.
• Advocate for reduced charges or dismissal. In many cases, flaws with process or evidence can create openings in a criminal charge. After reviewing the evidence, we can work to reduce the charges against you and work to get them dropped. If a plea bargain makes sense in your case, we’ll listen to you and work with prosecutors to secure the best plea bargain possible.
• Zealously represent you in any court or legal proceedings. When you’re charged with a crime, you may have to go to trial to defend your rights. If you do, we’ll prepare legal defenses, prepare you for depositions or court appearances, and handle everything that your case needs. Throughout the court process, we’ll advocate for you. If a conviction is unavoidable, we’ll work for minimum and alternative sentences such as community service.

If you’re facing an assault or threat charge in Monmouth County, contact us today. After a charge, you may be confused and fearful for your future. Know that an experienced lawyer can fight for you and work to get the charges dropped. Contact the assault and threat defense lawyers at The Law Offices of Jonathan F. Marshall for a free consultation today.

Penalties for Assault & Threat Charges in New Jersey

New Jersey takes assault and threat crimes very seriously. Depending on the nature of the crime, whether weapons were involved, and the individual’s prior record, punishments may include lengthy prison sentences, stiff fines, and other punishments. Assault and threat charges may range from a disorderly persons offense, which carries fines and the possibility of jail, to major felonies that can carry prison sentences extending to decades.

• Simple assault is a type of assault charge that prosecutors may use when an individual knowingly or recklessly attempts or causes bodily injury to another person, when an individual is negligent and harms another person, or when an individual actively attempts to cause fear of injury in another person. This type of assault may be pursued as a disorderly persons charge.
• Aggravated assault is usually charged when a deadly weapon is involved, when the individual intends harm to another, or when a protected class of person is assaulted (such as a police officer or other emergency personnel). The penalties for aggravated assault are much more serious than those for simple assault.
• Threat charges may involve terroristic threats and other threats of violence. Threats against another’s life and safety are taken seriously by authorities and may result in severe punishment. These are often charged as a third-degree offense but may be charged as a second-degree offense in certain circumstances. Punishment may include years in jail, mandatory counseling, fines, and other costs.

How Much Jail Time For Assault in Monmouth County, NJ?

Every criminal charge comes with unique penalties that apply. However, some of the most common categories of punishments include:

• A petty disorderly persons offense conviction, which may carry a fine of up to $500 and possible jail time up to 30 days.
• A disorderly persons offense conviction, which may carry a fine of up to $1,000 and possible jail time up to 6 months.
• A fourth-degree offense conviction, which may result in up to 18 months in prison and a fine of up to $10,000.
• A third-degree offense conviction, which may result in up 3 to 5 years in prison and a fine of up to $15,000.
• A second-degree offense conviction, which may result in 5 to 10 years in prison and a fine of up to $150,000.
• A first-degree offense conviction, which may result in 10 to 20 years in prison and a fine of up to $200,000.

In every case, the conviction will remain on an individual’s record and can cost them in the future. Lost job opportunities and many other problems may arise as a result of having a criminal record.

Every assault and threat crime is handled differently. Our lawyers can advise you on the specific charges and punishments you may face. If you’re facing an assault or threat charge in Monmouth County, get the legal advice and support that your case demands. Contact The Law Offices of Jonathan F. Marshall for a free consultation today.

Common Assault Defense Allegations

When you’re facing an assault or threat charge, the exact defenses used in your case will depend on the facts and circumstances of your situation. Our lawyers can review your case, listen to you, and work to determine the defenses that are available for you.

Many assault and threat charges rely on common defenses. Some of these defenses include:

• Self-defense. This is a common defense raised in an assault or threat case. To show that an individual was acting in self-defense, the individual charged with the assault or threat must show that there was a threat of harm, that the threat was credible, that they felt threatened, and that there was no other way to escape the situation. Self-defense can be a powerful legal defense, but its application will depend on the facts of your situation.
• Protecting others. There are some situations in which you may defend someone who appeared to be in jeopardy. If the person you were defending was facing serious bodily harm or death, there may be a legal defense available. However, much like self-defense, you must prove specific criteria before this defense is available.
• Mental illness or other factors interfered with your perception and intent. In some cases, mental issues, medications, and other causes can make an individual lose control. In cases such as these, you may be able to raise a defense.
• Ambiguous threats or threats that are not credible. When someone is facing a threat charge, the threat in question is often unclear. Legal defenses may be available when the threat is not credible, when the person threatened does not take the threat seriously, or when the threat is impossible. This defense will rely not only on the accused’s statements, but also on replies by the alleged victim, witness testimony, and on the credibility of the threat.

These defenses, and many others, may be available in your case. When you’re facing an assault or threat charge, don’t make any statements to police or take any actions that could cause you problems in the future. Contact our criminal defense lawyers as soon as you possibly can after you’re charged. We can review your case let you know what defenses may be available.

Types of Assault & Threat Cases We Handle

Our assault and threat defense lawyers have worked as prosecutors and public defenders on a variety of cases. We know what it takes to build an assault or threat case, and we know what it takes to defend one.

Our experienced attorneys can handle all types of assault and threat charges, such as:

Assault and threat charges can take many forms. Our firm is prepared to defend the charges listed above along with many others. An assault and threat conviction could have major consequences for you and your future. When you’re facing an assault or threat charge in Monmouth County, make sure that you have an experienced and knowledgeable lawyer on your side.

Dedicated Monmouth County Lawyers for Assault Charges

When you’re charged with a crime, speak with a lawyer as soon as you can. Those accused of assault and threat crimes can face years in jail and tens of thousands of dollars in fines and fees. Our defense lawyers are ready to review your case, advise you on your next steps, and work to protect you throughout the entire legal process.

At The Law Offices of Jonathan F. Marshall, our experienced assault and threat criminal defense attorneys have a deep knowledge of New Jersey criminal law. We’re available to help you 24/7. When you’re charged with a crime, we’re here to help. To set up a free consultation, contact us online or call us today.