Bronx Assault on an Officer Lawyer
Assaults are some of the most common criminal charges filed by prosecutors in New York’s criminal courts. These are also some of the easiest charges to understand. Anytime a person causes physical injury to another person while intending to do so, they commit an assault. This can be through an intent to actually harm another individual or by acting in such a reckless manner that a third party comes to harm.
Many assaults are minor, misdemeanor charges that may be disposed of through probation or the payment of a fine. However, an assault charge becomes much more serious when the alleged victim of the assault is a police officer. In fact, a conviction under this statute is always a felony that can carry a multi-year prison sentence.
A Bronx assault on an officer lawyer could defend the rights and freedoms of those accused in court. A dedicated attorney can work to contest the allegations that you assaulted a police officer to seek the best possible outcome under your circumstances.
Assualt Charges in the Bronx
New York’s laws concerning assault are straightforward. According to New York Penal Law §120.00, an assault occurs any time a person causes any physical injury to a third party while intending to do so. An assault can also be any instance of reckless behavior that injures a third party. Finally, any act of criminal negligence that results in injury due to the use of a deadly weapon is an assault.
Normally, these assaults are class A misdemeanors meaning a conviction can result in no more than one year in jail. However, assault charges become much more serious due to the presence of aggravating factors. These can include the use of any weapons, the severity of the inflicted injuries, and the presence of another defendant. However, another aggravating factor is the identity of the alleged victim. Especially applicable are assaults allegedly committed against police officers. For more information, get in touch with a Bronx assault on an officer lawyer.
When Does an Assault on an Officer Become a More Serious Crime?
Many alleged assaults committed against a public servant are felony level crimes. Under New York Penal Law §120.08, assaults on a police officer as well as upon firemen, emergency workers, or paramedics, are class C felonies. However, the prosecutor in these cases must prove the assault was intended to prevent this officer from doing their job. It must also result in a serious physical injury which is defined in New York Penal Law §10.00 as an injury that creates a substantial threat of death, or that causes disfigurement or loss of the function of an organ.
Finally, defendants may face charges of aggravated assault on a police officer. According to New York Penal Law §120.11, this applies when a person intends to cause serious bodily injury to a police officer while using a deadly weapon and actually causes this injury. A Bronx assault on an officer lawyer can work to contest all elements of these charges including the idea of an intent to cause harm and whether the injury counts as serious under the law.
How a Bronx Assault on an Officer Attorney can Help
Allegations of even a simple assault should be a cause for great concern. However, when these charges involve an assault on a police officer that results in serious bodily harm, you should be prepared to defend yourself at every opportunity. These charges are felony level offenses that can result in lengthy prison sentences.
Thankfully, a Bronx assault on an officer lawyer is ready to help. Attorneys work to examine the strength of the prosecution’s case in vital areas such as witness accounts, the use of any weapons, cases involving mistaken identity, and the severity of the alleged victim’s injuries. They can work to discredit the prosecution’s charges entirely, or to argue for a reduction in the severity of the allegations. The stakes in these cases are high; do not take an unnecessary chance. Contact a Bronx assault on a police officer lawyer today.