New Jersey Simple Assault Lawyers

Talented Criminal Defense Lawyers Help Clients Beat Simple Assault Charges in New Jersey

Arguments happen–and sometimes a simple disagreement can lead to physical fighting.  Simple assault is one of the most common violent offenses charged in New Jersey.  Words like “common” and “simple”, however, don’t mean that you shouldn’t take the charges seriously.  Simple assault is a violent crime and a conviction will go on your criminal record.

To minimize these risks, you need the best available lawyer in your corner.  At Team Law, we know that you’re likely feeling anxious and overwhelmed if you were arrested on assault charges.  We have over 60 years’ experience and know-how to help clients fight simple assault charges.   

Penalties for simple assault can include jail time, financial fines, community service, and a lasting criminal record.  Our experienced defense lawyers at Team Law have the experience you need to fight the charges.  

Don’t leave your defense to chance.  Call Team Law and schedule a free initial consultation with an experienced New Jersey simple assault defense lawyer today.

New Jersey Simple Assault: N.J.S.A. 2C:12-1(a)

Simple assault in New Jersey is usually charged as a disorderly persons offense (a misdemeanor) or a petty disorderly persons offense (a lower-level misdemeanor).  

You can be charged with simple assault in New Jersey even if you didn’t mean to hurt anyone.  In fact, you can be charged even if you never lay a hand on another person.  Threatening behavior can be enough to support a charge if it was significant enough that another person reasonably believed you were going to hurt them.

Under New Jersey law (N.J.S.A. 2C:12-1(a)), it is a crime to:

• Purposely, knowingly or recklessly cause bodily injury to someone else
• Attempt to cause bodily injury to someone else
• Negligent use a weapon and cause bodily harm
• Use threats or menacing to put someone in imminent fear that you will cause them serious bodily harm

Most simple assault charges based on mutual fighting are charged as petty disorderly persons offenses.  The difference between a disorderly persons offense and a petty offense is the punishment.  Under New Jersey law:

• Disorderly persons offenses carry up to six months in jail and a $1,000 fine
• Petty disorderly persons offenses carry up to 30 days in jail and a $1,000 fine

Like any other criminal conviction, you can also be assigned probation and community service, and will be required to pay any number of court costs and fees.  If the simple assault charge stemmed from domestic violence, you might also be subject to a restraining order.  Violating that restraining order is an indictable offense (felony) in itself.

No matter what, it’s important to call an experienced defense lawyer to protect your rights.  A simple assault charge can easily be aggravated to a much more serious felony. 

Team Law Provides High-Quality Legal Defense Designed to Get Simple Assault Charges Reduced or Dropped

At Team Law, we work hard to give every client the best defense possible.  We believe every client deserves a fair chance–and deserves someone in their corner to make sure their legal rights are protected.  We are often able to negotiate behind the scenes to get clients’ charges reduced or even dropped depending on the evidence.

You probably know that the prosecution has to prove every element of your case beyond a reasonable doubt.  In assault cases, the “intent” element of the crime is often important, as is the difference between “bodily injury” and “serious bodily injury”.  The threshold for what constitutes bodily injury in a simple assault case is very low–even if you merely slap someone, you can be charged with simple assault.

Lack of intent can also form the basis of a strong defense.  Maybe you were pushed into someone and didn’t really mean to cause any harm.  Our lawyers look at the entire pool of evidence to see which defense strategies will be most effective for you.

Our criminal defense attorneys are here to discuss ways to defend the charges against you.  A strong defense strategy could include defenses involving:

• Constitutional violations
• Mistaken identity
• Problems with the evidence
• Lack of sufficient evidence
• Challenges to witness credibility
• And more

To learn more about how the trusted New Jersey simple assault defense lawyers can help, call for a free case review today.

Call Today to Speak to an Experienced New Jersey Simple Assault Defense Lawyer 

When you’re in a bad situation involving law enforcement, you need someone in your corner to protect your rights.  For most people, going to jail jeopardizes their job, finances and even their family relationships.  Our defense attorneys have helped our clients get the help they need. 

We provide a free initial consultation to every client.  We will sit down, listen to your side of the story, and explain some defense options.  Once we have a fuller understanding of the facts, we can get started protecting your rights.  To learn more, call or contact Team Law to schedule your free case review with a New Jersey simple assault defense lawyer.

Frequently Asked Questions About Simple Assault Charges in New Jersey