Charged With Aggravated Assault in Tinton Falls New Jersey
The historic borough of Tinton Falls offers its residents and visitors an assortment of sightseeing, dining and shopping opportunities. Inevitably, crowds bring with them arguments and confrontations that escalate and the next thing you know, a police officer is arresting you for aggravated assault. When facing criminal charges that can send you to prison and leave you with a permanent record as a convicted felon, the attorney you choose to represent you must possess the courtroom skills and knowledge of the law to be capable of aggressively fighting the charges and winning.
The aggravated assault lawyers at the Tinton Falls Law Offices of Jonathan F. Marshall have a proven record of successfully defending people charged with the most serious criminal offenses at Monmouth County Superior Court in Freehold New Jersey. With more than 200 years of combined experience, a team of former Monmouth County Prosecutors (e.g. Former Director of Major Crimes, Trial Division, Juvenile Diversion, etc.) and a team engaged exclusively in the practice of law in criminal and municipal courts, our defense lawyers provide aggressive and highly competent representation to those arrested for aggravated assault in Tinton Falls. Our commitment to client-focused representation begins when you call our office at (732) 450-8300 at any time of the day or night to be connected to a member of our defense team ready to discuss your Tinton Falls aggravated assault case and answer any questions about it in a free consultation.
Tinton Falls Aggravated Assault Offense
An aggravated assault offense may arise through a number of activities. Some of the activities specified in N.J.S.A. 2C:12-1(b) that could result in an arrest and criminal charges include:
- Causing or attempting to cause serious bodily injury to another person either purposely, knowingly or recklessly with extreme indifference to human life.
- Using a deadly weapon to purposely or knowingly cause or attempt to cause bodily injury. A deadly weapon as defined in N.J.S.A. 2C:11-1(c) can be something other than a firearm, knife of other device people usually associate with the term “deadly weapon.” A hammer, a box cutter or even a rock can be a deadly weapon when it is used in a way that could cause serious injury or death.
- Recklessly causing bodily injury with the use of a deadly weapon.
- Knowingly pointing a firearm, whether loaded or unloaded, at or in the direction of another person with extreme indifference to human life.
- Knowingly pointing a firearm at or in the direction of a police officer with extreme indifference to human life.
- Aggressively operating a motor vehicle by driving it at another vehicle and purposely causing bodily injury.
N.J.S.A. 2C:12-1(b) designates individuals engaged in specific occupations for protected status under the law. A simple assault as defined in N.J.S.A. 2C:12-1(a) is the equivalent of a misdemeanor, but if committed against someone in one of the protected occupations, including a police officer, school teacher, school administrator, bus driver or firefighter, you could be charged with an aggravated assault offense.
Penalties for an Aggravated Assault Conviction in Tinton Falls
Aggravated assault in Tinton Falls is an indictable offense. Don’t let the term “indictable offense” fool you into believing it is not a serious offense. It is actually equivalent to a felony and a conviction prevents you from ever owning or possessing a firearm and could keep you from qualifying for certain occupational licenses, such as security or real estate. Some employers will not hire you simply because of a felony conviction appearing in a background check.
The penalties a judge may impose on you at sentencing depend upon the degree of the aggravated assault offense. The injuries suffered by a victim and use of a weapon to commit the offense affect the degree of the offense and the penalties. Penalties for each degree of aggravated assault in Tinton Falls include the following:
- Crime of the second degree: Five to 10 years in prison and fines up to $150,000.
- Crime of the third degree: Three to five years in state prison and fines up to $15,000.
- Crime of the fourth degree: Prison confinement for up to 18 months and fines up to $10,000.
If you want to avoid the penalties and long-term consequences of a conviction for aggravated assault, the attorney you choose to represent you may increase the chances of an acquittal. Aggressively challenging the evidence, including statements you might have made to police, is only one of the methods we rely upon to give you an advantage over the prosecution.
Aggravated Assault Domestic Violence Charges in Tinton Falls. If a charge for aggravated assault involves a victim qualifying for restraining order under the NJ Prevention of Domestic Violence Act, a temporary restraining order may be entered against you. When this is the case, you face not only a criminal offense for aggravated assault but also separate proceedings in Family Court in Freehold to decide whether the restraining order should become permanent and final.
Tinton Falls Aggravated Assault Criminal Defense Lawyer
When you need an outstanding criminal defense against an aggravated assault offense in Tinton Falls, the attorneys at the Law Offices of Jonathan F. Marshall have the experience and the know-how to help you avoid the consequences of a conviction. Call us at any time of the day or night at (732) 450-8300 to speak with a knowledgeable defense attorney in a free consultation.
