Simple Assault Defense Lawyers Under NJSA 2C:12-1(a)

Fight a Disorderly Persons Assault Case in Municipal Court

Arrested and charged with simple assault in New Jersey? We can help.

The Tormey Law Firm, once again, has helped a client avoid having a criminal record. Our client was alleged to have committed an assault in Bloomsbury Boro due to an argument over a parking space. Then, when the police arrived on scene and asked him about his involvement, he allegedly denied being at the location during the time of the incident. After investigating the matter and interviewing the victim and eye witnesses, our client was charged with a disorderly persons offense of simple assault and a disorderly persons offense of hindering, by providing false information to the police. Fortunately, our client contacted our experienced criminal defense team and we succeeded in getting the charges downgraded to municipal ordinance violations, resulting in no criminal record.

According to N.J.S.A. 2C:12-1(a), a person is guilty of the disorderly persons offense of simple assault if he 1) attempts to cause or purposefully, knowingly or recklessly causes bodily injury to another; 2) negligently causes bodily injury to another with a deadly weapon; or 3) attempts by physical menace to put another in fear of imminent serious bodily injury. Regarding hindering, pursuant to N.J.S.A. 2C:29-3(b)(4), a person commits a disorderly persons offense if, with purpose to hinder his own detention, apprehension, investigation, prosecution, conviction or punishment for a traffic violation he gives false information to a law enforcement officer or civil State investigator.

Both of our client’s charges, although characterized as disorderly persons offenses, would have potentially resulted in fines, jail time, and a permanent record of the offense. Specifically, the penalties for a disorderly persons offense such as simple assault and providing false information to a law enforcement officer include a fine of up to $1,000 and 6 months in jail. However, after meeting with the prosecutor and discussing this case, our defense lawyers were able to negotiate a downgrade of the charges to municipal ordinance violations, which carried only a fine, no jail time, and no criminal record.

Charged with Simple Assault, Attorney Needed

If you are charged with a disorderly persons offense such as simple assault or hindering apprehension, contact the experienced defense lawyers at the Tormey Law Firm to learn about how to defend your case and work towards avoiding a criminal record.