Charged with Simple Assault in Garwood NJ
Charges of simple assault in Garwood New Jersey may be more common than realized before you were charged with the offense. The types of activities that result in a simple assault charge include getting into an agreed-to fight, scuffling with a neighbor, and incidents of domestic violence. The repercussions of a simple assault conviction can be devastating. In addition to possibly landing you in jail, you will have a lasting criminal record. We believe you should give serious consideration to contacting a lawyer at the Law Offices of Jonathan F. Marshall for representation. The criminal attorneys in our firm include several former prosecutors and a team of litigators with over a century in practice. All lawyers on staff possess the experience and skill to ensure you obtain the best defense. We have defended many individuals like you who want to avoid a conviction for simple assault in Garwood. Our lawyers are available to assist you 24/7 for a free consultation at 908-272-1700.
Garwood New Jersey Simple Assault Charge
A simple assault charge in Garwood NJ is a disorderly persons offense in accordance with N.J.S.A. 2C:12-1(a). If you do nothing in response to a simple assault charge, it is the same thing as pleading guilty. For you to be convicted of simple assault, the Garwood municipal prosecutor must prove beyond a reasonable doubt that you committed one of the following acts:
- Causing or attempting to cause bodily injury to another person knowingly, purposefully or recklessly;
- Causing bodily injury to another person with a deadly weapon due to negligence; or
- Attempting to put a person in fear of imminent serious bodily injury using physical menace.
An assault charge does not require a victim to sustain lasting injuries. The threshold is “bodily injury” which exists where someone suffers temporary pain or discomfort.
A range of possible penalties may be imposed for simple assault at the time of sentencing by the judge of the Garwood Municipal Court. You face a fine of up to $1,000 plus court costs and assessments. The judge can also sentence you to up to 6 months in county jail. Community service and/or counseling in anger management classes may be required of you. If you get probation, it could include wearing electronic monitoring. Your driver’s license could be suspended. If a simple assault conviction is for domestic violence, there could also be a restraining order against you. For additional information on this subject, refer to Garwood domestic violence lawyer.
Various factors can affect the charges and penalties you face, such as where the assault took place, whether the accused has prior convictions, and unique circumstances of the crime. The experience and skill of your defense lawyer can make the biggest difference in the outcome of a simple assault case in Garwood New Jersey.
Gaining admission into the Conditional Dismissal Program can help a person avoid being prosecuted and possibly convicted of simple assault. Dismissal of the charge through this program requires successfully completing one year of probation.
Garfield Simple Assault Defense Attorney
With the help of an experienced Garwood criminal attorney from our firm, it’s possible that your simple assault charge could be dismissed or downgraded. A skilled lawyer will conduct a thorough analysis of your case and identify the defense strategy that provides the best chances for the most favorable outcome possible.
Minimizing penalties and consequences of a disorderly persons charge is the goal of every one of the defense attorneys at the Law Offices of Jonathan F. Marshall. If you were arrested in Garwood NJ on a simple assault charge, our lawyers are well equipped to represent you in Garwood Municipal Court. Contact our office at any time at 908-272-1700 for a free consultation.
