Criminal charges should always be taken very seriously. But if you have been charged with criminal assault, it is imperative that you secure a highly experienced Trenton criminal defense attorney to represent you. Mark Catanzaro fights for his clients who face these charges and is largely successful. Don’t hesitate to contact him immediately for more information if you have been charged with assault.

What to Know About Criminal Assault

New Jersey law defines assault as when a person injures another or attempts to injure another without a lawful reason to do so. There are two categories of assault: Simple Assault and Aggravated Assault.

What’s the difference?

Of the two, simple assault is a lesser charge. In order to convict a defendant of simple assault, the prosecution must prove one of the following acts:

• The attempt to purposely, knowingly, or recklessly cause bodily injury to another person
• The negligent infliction of bodily injury to another person using a deadly weapon
• The attempt to cause imminent fear of serious bodily injury to another person through physical menace
• The causing of bodily harm by a fight mutually entered into by both parties

This is categorized as a disorderly persons offense. The maximum penalty for a disorderly persons offense is six months of jail time and $1,000 in fines. And with a skilled Trenton criminal defense attorney, there’s a high chance that charges could be lessened to a minor petty offense.

Aggravated assault, on the other hand, is a more serious offense and requires the presence of aggravating factors. What does this include?

• Causing harm to a school employee
• Causing harm to a law enforcement officer or corrections officer
• Arson
• Extreme indifference to human life
• Using firearms such as semi-automatic rifles, pistols, and shotguns

If you’ve been charged with aggravated assault, it will be a major priority of your Trenton criminal defense attorney to have your charge downgraded to simple assault, or lower if possible.

A Trenton criminal defense attorney will be sure to develop a defense strategy based on your particular case. If using a self defense argument, for example, he will have to show that it was reasonable to believe that the use of force was immediately necessary to protect yourself against an aggressor. But your use of force cannot be disproportionate to the threat of harm you are facing.

Need a Trenton Criminal Defense Attorney to Defend You?

Contact Mark Catanzaro if you need to speak with a Trenton criminal defense attorney about your assault case. Call today to set up a free consultation.