What Is the Lowest Charge of Assault in Connecticut?

Connecticut Penal Code defines three “degrees” of criminal assault in addition to several unique variants of assault involving a specific type of person being harmed or the assault being committed in a specific way. Among all those variants, Assault in the Third Degree is the least severe in terms of criminal penalties, as it is a misdemeanor rather than a felony.

However, this type of assault is still a serious criminal offense that can have serious repercussions in both your personal and professional life. If you are facing allegations of this nature, you should strongly consider seeking the help of an assault lawyer from Mark Sherman Law sooner rather than later.

How Does the Connecticut Penal Code Define Assault in the Third Degree?

Connecticut General Statutes (C.G.S.) §53a-61 is the section of the Connecticut Penal Code that defines Assault in the Third Degree. Under this statute, a person can be charged with a Class A misdemeanor offense if they do any of the following things:

• Intentionally cause physical injury to someone else;
• Cause physical injury to someone else while acting in a way intended to cause injury to a third person;
• Recklessly cause someone else to suffer serious physical injury; or
• Cause physical injury to someone else through the criminally negligent use of a deadly weapon, dangerous instrument, or electronic defense weapon.

Even though it is the lowest charge of assault in Connecticut, a conviction under this statute still involves maximum penalties of one year in jail and $2,000 in fines.

Aggravating Conditions for Assault in the Third Degree

A conviction of Assault in the Third Degree involving criminally negligent use of a deadly weapon, dangerous instrument, or electronic defense weapon carries a mandatory minimum one-year jail term that a court cannot suspend or reduce under any circumstances. Likewise, under C.G.S. § 53a-61a, committing Assault in the Third Degree against a person over the age of 60, a person who is blind or otherwise physically disabled, a person who is pregnant, or a person who is intellectually disabled also carries the same mandatory minimum one-year jail term upon conviction.

Mark Sherman Law Can Help Contest Connecticut Assault Charges

Our team has years of experience helping people like you fight back against all types of assault allegations. Once retained, we can put that expertise to work for you in pursuit of the best possible case result. Click here to read what past clients have to say about working with us. Then, call Mark Sherman Law to schedule an initial consultation and learn how we can assist you with your specific charge.