Ridgefield First-Degree Assault Lawyer
Getting arrested for assault in the first-degree is extremely serious, as it often carries mandatory minimum jail penalties. Ridgefield is a quiet town with little violent crime. But once in a while, a bar fight, school fight, or a domestic violence incident can take place where someone suffers serious physical injury and police must make an arrest.
A Ridgefield first-degree assault lawyer will best understand how the laws apply to the facts of your case. Contact a qualified defense attorney who can provide advice and counsel, crafting the best defense strategy for your particular case.
Preserving Evidence in Assault Cases
Because the penalties are so severe, anyone arrested in this state for assault must take great care to preserve evidence and take steps to achieve the best possible outcome.
All arrests are immediately transferred to Danbury, Connecticut. A Ridgefield first-degree assault attorney will need to quickly file motions with Danbury Superior Court to preserve video surveillance evidence that may help the client win their case.
Importance of State of Mind
Connecticut penal law describes different types of conduct that constitute first-degree assault.
One element that each category of First Degree Assault arrests share is that they all require intentional or reckless conduct.
The Connecticut code describes five scenarios that will be considered first-degree assault. These situations are set forth in numbered subsections of the statute. According to the statute, an individual commits assault in the first degree in the following scenarios:
- Causing serious physical injury to another intentionally with the use of a deadly weapon or dangerous instrument
- Causing permanent disfigurement, amputation or destruction of the body part of another intentionally
- Taking dangerous action in a reckless manner that displays an extreme disregard for the life of others and causes serious physical injury to another
- Causing serious physical injury to another with the assistance of two or more others
- Causing injury intentionally by firing a gun
A Ridgefield first-degree assault attorney could help individuals understand these details better during a private consultation.
Potential Penalties for an Assault Arrest
Connecticut penal code classifies first-degree assault as a Class B felony. This type of offense is among the most serious in the Connecticut criminal code. Those convicted face possible imprisonment for up to 20 years and fines of up to $15,000. Moreover, in many instances, the law specifies that a sentence may not be suspended or reduced beyond a certain point or sets forth a mandatory minimum sentence.
Additional statutory provisions are triggered when the person suffering harm from the assault fits into a certain category including those who are blind, mentally impaired, elderly, or pregnant.
If an assault causes termination of a pregnancy, the offense becomes a Class A felony punishable by a fine of up to $20,000 and a prison term of up to 25 years. Our Ridgefield attorneys can help those who are facing first-degree assault charges understand and mitigate the potential penalties.
Contact a Ridgefield First-Degree Assault Attorney
Every arrest in for assault is different, but over time, an experienced first-degree assault lawyer understands how courts have applied the laws to different sets of facts. This base of knowledge helps an attorney understand the best strategies to use depending on the circumstances. Our team can begin providing advice right away to help you work toward the optimum resolution of your case. Call today to get started.