Harsh Penalties for Assault at a Youth Sports Event in New Jersey
Assault at a School or Community-Sponsored Youth Sporting Event in NJ Means You’re Facing Severe Penalties and Need the Best Defense
Youth sports can be exciting and competitive, both for the youth playing and for the spectators in the stands. For parents and others in the bleachers, it is easy to get lost in the action. When they see what they believe is a wrong call by a referee, or another player or a coach being unfair to their child, they can easily become angry. Even comments from another spectator can spark rage. Before you know it, the parent has punched, slapped, or kicked someone and law enforcement is involved. But assault at a youth sporting event in New Jersey isn’t handled the same as assault anywhere else. It is important to understand the uniqueness of these situations so you know what you are facing if charged as a result of assaulting someone at one of these events. Equally vital is enlisting the best defense help for your case to challenge the charges against you.
The criminal defense attorneys at The Tormey Law Firm have a lengthy track record of success defending clients who have been charged with aggravated assault based on altercations at youth sporting events in Hackensack, Paterson, Newark, Jersey City, Morristown, Elizabeth, New Brunswick, and throughout New Jersey. To discuss your case and learn more about how we can help with devising your most effective defense strategy, call us at (201)-556-1570 now. Our criminal trial team is available seven days a week, day and night, to provide you with a free consultation.
Understanding Criminal Charges for Assault at a Youth Sporting Event in New Jersey
Ordinarily, a fight at a sporting event would be considered simple assault. This would be a disorderly persons charge, which is referred to as a misdemeanor in many other states. While a conviction for simple assault would result in a criminal record, the penalties include fines, court fees, probation, community service, and a maximum of six months in jail. Restitution to the victim and a driver’s license suspension are also possible penalties. If the assault were the result of a fight that was mutually agreed to, it would be reduced to a petty disorderly persons charge.
However, in an effort to deter these types of incidents, New Jersey lawmakers have elevated them to aggravated assault. Aggravated assault is a felony in New Jersey, which means more severe penalties upon conviction. This charge is automatically triggered when the fight takes place at a youth sporting event, even if the fight was entered into by mutual agreement.
Assault at a Youth Sports Event: An Indictable Crime Violating N.J.S.A. 2C:12-1(f)
The law in New Jersey statute section N.J.S.A. 2C:12-1(f) states that if the simple assault takes place at a sporting event that meets the definition of a school or community-sponsored youth sports event, and a child under the age of 16 is present, the charge is aggravated assault instead of simple assault. Not knowing that there was a child under the age of 16 present does not excuse the individual from being charged with an indictable crime, otherwise known as a felony.
There are two specific aspects of these offenses that are important and should be noted. The first is that they must take place at a school or community-sponsored youth sporting event. This means any sporting event involving youth players that are high school-aged or below. If the offense occurs at a college event or a semi-professional or professional event, then the typical simple assault charge applies. Simple assault would also apply if it occurs at a neighborhood event, such as all the kids in the neighborhood gathering to play a game of baseball and the parents gathering to watch.
The second aspect is that a child aged 16 or under must be present. This means that if the offense takes place at a youth sporting event, the charge is almost always going to be aggravated assault. This is because it is unlikely that there would be a youth sporting event that would not have children under 16 present. Whether they are a participant in the event or are simply a younger sibling, friends of the family, or even the children of a coach, referee, or judge, any child under the age of 16 being present automatically means the charge is elevated.
What is Defined as a School or Community-Sponsored Youth Sports Event for an Aggravated Assault Charge in NJ?
The law defines a school or community-sponsored youth sports event as “an instructional event, practice, or competition involving one or more interscholastic sports teams or youth sports teams organized pursuant to a nonprofit or similar charter or which are member teams in a youth league organized by or affiliated with a municipal or county recreation department and does not include collegiate, semi-professional, or professional sporting events.”
This means the youth sports event must be one where the players are high school-aged or younger, and the event must be school-related (for example, a high school football game) or community-sponsored (for example, Pop Warner football). It can be any indoor or outdoor sport, including football, wrestling, soccer, lacrosse, baseball, softball, tennis, and others.
Strict Liability for Assault or Fighting at Youth Sporting Event in New Jersey
In these cases, the individual charged faces strict liability. What this means is that the individual can be convicted of aggravated assault even if they did not know that a child under the age of 16 was present or if they reasonably believed that a child under age 16 was older. Ignorance of the law will also not prevent a conviction.
Penalties for Assault at a Youth Sports Event in NJ
If an individual is arrested for assault at a school or community-sponsored youth sports event, they will be charged with fourth degree aggravated assault. If convicted, the individual faces up to $10,000 in fines and a maximum of 18 months in prison. They will also have a criminal record after conviction.
Connect with our Defense Lawyers for Help with Your Assault at a Youth Sports Event Charge in NJ
Fourth degree aggravated assault is a very serious charge in New Jersey. It is one that can result in significant fines and prison time as well as a criminal record. This can result in years of struggling to find employment, attend future sporting events, obtain professional licenses, and even obtain citizenship if you are not already a United States citizen. Hiring a criminal defense attorney with vast experience and a strategic approach can result in a stronger defense, reduced sentencing, reduced charges, and many times, an outright dismissal of the assault charges against you.
Contact a New Jersey criminal defense lawyer at The Tormey Law Firm today at (201)-556-1570 to learn more about your legal options if you have been charged with aggravated assault as the result of a fight at a school or community-sponsored youth sporting event. We protect our clients’ rights in assault cases all over the state of New Jersey, including in Monmouth County, Middlesex County, Union County, Hudson County, Passaic County, Bergen County, Morris County, and Essex County. You can reach us online or by calling us anytime to speak with an attorney free of charge.