Bridgeport Assault Lawyer
Some states distinguish Assault from Battery, with the former being the act of threatening someone else with violence and the latter being violent physical contact with another person. In Connecticut, though, the penal code defines Assault as causing a physical injury to someone else intentionally, recklessly, or with criminal negligence. Depending on the severity of that injury, the conduct that caused it, and means used to cause that injury, an ensuing criminal charge can be prosecuted as anywhere from a misdemeanor offense to a serious felony offense.
Whether it is your first time or not, Assault allegations are something that you want to fight back with the help of an experienced criminal defense attorney. Regardless of what led to your Assault accusations or what consequences you may face upon conviction, an experienced Bridgeport Assault lawyer from our team will work tirelessly and fight to ensure that your case is resolved as favorable as possible for you.
Misdemeanor Versus Felony Assault Charges
Connecticut General Statutes (“C.G.S.”) §§ 53a-59 through 53a-61a., define three distinct degrees of Assault, each of which an experienced Bridgeport Assault attorney can explain in as much detail as needed. Broadly speaking, though, Assault in the Third Degree involves someone who causes physical injury to a person intentionally, recklessly, with criminally negligence, or with the use of a deadly weapon or dangerous instrument.
Generally, Assault in the 2nd Degree entails someone who causes serious physical injury to another person through intentional or reckless conduct; or causes physical injury through specific intentional actions or under specific circumstances. In this case, serious physical injury means an injury which presents a substantial risk of death, or which results in serious impairment of health or loss of impairment of function of any bodily organ.
Finally, Assault in the 1st Degree occurs when someone intentionally causes serious physical injury to another person with a dangerous or deadly instrument, or intentionally causes any injury to another person by discharging a firearm, or intentionally causes serious disfigurement, destroys, amputates or disables permanently a member or organ of another person’s body, or otherwise with extreme indifference to human life creates a risk of death to another person.
Aggravating Conditions for Criminal Assault
Notably, each of the three degrees of Assault defined above carries harsher penalties if the person assaulted by the defendant was elderly, blind, physically or intellectually disabled, or pregnant at the time of the offense. For example, Assault in the Third Degree is a Class A misdemeanor punishable by up to $2,000 in fines and up to one year of jail upon conviction. However, if the targeted person falls into any of the categories above, the one-year jail term attached to the offense cannot be suspended or reduced, meaning that if the defendant pleads guilty or is found guilty after trial, the defendant must serve that maximum sentence.
Assault committed through reckless or intentionally aggressive use of a motor vehicle or firearm is also prosecuted more harshly than the standard variants of each offense. Additionally, the Assault of a pregnant person, which directly results in the loss of the fetus, is one of the few offenses defined under the Connecticut Penal Code as a Class A felony. Guidance from a knowledgeable defense lawyer is vital to understanding and effectively contesting Assault allegations in Bridgeport.
Talk to a Bridgeport Assault Attorney About Your Legal Options
Being accused of criminally assaulting another person can change the course of your life at a moment’s notice, especially if the allegations involve aggravating factors. Fortunately, you have support available from dependable legal professionals who know how to fight effectively for people in situations like yours.
A conversation with a Bridgeport Assault defense lawyer can give you answers to pressing questions and confidence about how best to approach your specific case. Call Mark Sherman Law today to set up a meeting, and read some of the 300+ certified reviews from satisfied past clients on our Avvo.com profile by clicking here.