In New Jersey, assault charges are called either aggravated assault or simple assault. As the names imply, aggravated assault is the more serious charge and is handled in the Superior Court and simple assaults are handled in the Municipal Court.

There are many different kinds of aggravated assault including causing serious bodily injury or intentionally causing bodily injury with a deadly weapon. A simple assault can become an aggravated assault if the person being assaulted is a public employee including a police officer, fireman or teacher. A conviction of aggravated assault can generally carry a sentence of up to ten years if it is a second degree conviction, N.J.S.A. 2C:12-1 (b), and a fine of up to $150,000.

A simple assault generally is charged when someone causes bodily injury to another person and or threatens to cause imminent serious bodily injury. A fight entered into by mutual consent is generally treated as a petty disorderly persons offense.

If you have been charged with assault, contact me for a consultation about your case, or you can use the quick-contact form on the right.