Have you been charged with an assault crime in Kingston, New York? If so, you have important legal rights, including the right to an attorney. Those facing criminal charges in Kingston and Ulster County deserve the best possible legal representation. Assault charges carry serious consequences and you will need a strong defense strategy from the start of your case onward.
The experienced Kingston assault defense lawyers at Larkin Ingrassia Criminal Defense Attorneys, can help answer your questions and work toward the best possible outcome in your case. Contact our law office today to schedule a consultation with one of our dedicated New York assault defense attorneys at (845) 566-5345.
How Larkin Ingrassia Criminal Defense Attorneys, Can Help if You Have Been Charged with Assault In Kingston, New York
If you are charged with an assault crime in Kingston, New York, you may be fearful about what comes next. After all, assault convictions in New York can lead to long jail terms, costly fines, and damage to your career and personal life.
When your liberty and reputation are on the line, you want a talented legal team on your side. At Larkin Ingrassia Criminal Defense Attorneys, our assault defense lawyers have more than 50 years of combined experience and bring proven backgrounds in New York criminal law to build a strong defense against the charge against you.
When you retain our Kingston, NY criminal defense attorneys, we will take the following steps and more:
- Initial consultation. We will meet with you to go over the facts of your case, the strengths and weaknesses of the prosecution’s case, and what your best defense strategy will be. Through your initial consultation, you’ll learn how the New York criminal justice system works and what your full range of legal rights and options are.
- Case evaluation. Our dedicated defense attorneys will gather all information and evidence involved with the case. Using our extensive knowledge of New York assault crime laws and our battle-tested experience in other assault cases, we will fine-tune the best possible legal strategy for you.
- Negotiation and advocacy. Our assault defense attorneys will protect your rights and fight for you. We will only recommend fair plea agreements and are prepared to go to trial if necessary.
- Trial representation. If a fair plea agreement isn’t reached, we’ll represent you at a jury trial and begin trial preparations immediately.
Our New York legal team is here to stand by your side at each step during a criminal prosecution for assault. Using our extensive knowledge of the law and experience defending against assault charges, we will advocate relentlessly for you. Contact us today to schedule a consultation with a Kingston assault defense lawyer and get your criminal defense questions answered.
What is Assault Under New York Law?
Under New York law, assault falls under different categories and degrees of offenses. Generally speaking, assault is when someone intentionally strikes another person, causing injury to that person.
Assault in New York includes three different degrees of offenses:
- Third-degree assault: This includes when someone intentionally or recklessly causes physical injury to another person and when someone causes physical injury through criminal negligence. Third-degree assault is a misdemeanor punishable by up to 1 year in jail and fines up to $1,000.
- Second-degree assault: This includes when a weapon is used to intentionally cause physical injury to someone else. Assault against police officers, public health workers, medical care providers, municipal employees, and other designated workers can also be charged as second-degree assault. Second-degree assault is a felony, punishable by up to 7 years in prison and heavy fines.
- First-degree assault: Assault using a deadly or dangerous weapon with the intent to maim another person, or reckless disregard for the life of another person, can be first-degree assault in New York – a Class B felony. Depending on the nature of the assault, first-degree assault can involve up to 25 years in prison.
Some other assault crimes under New York law can include:
- Vehicular assault
- Reckless assault of a child
- Gang assault
- Assault on a peace officer
- Assault on a Retail Worker
- Menacing
- Hazing
- Stalking
- Promoting a suicide attempt
- Aggravated assault
As you can see, different types of behaviors can lead to different criminal charges – some of them extremely serious.
Consequences of a Conviction for Assault in New York
Those found guilty of assault in New York can face jail or prison time, along with court fines and restitution for damage caused. Additionally, an assault conviction can have collateral consequences in your life and career.
Having an assault conviction on your record can cause you to lose your job and prevent you from finding new work in your field. Assault crimes can also prevent you from getting accepted into college, entering into work-related programs, and even getting a house or apartment.
Assault convictions can interfere with a person’s ability to get licensed in certain professions. Teaching, banking, healthcare, law enforcement, and other fields require their applicants and current licensees to keep clean criminal records.
While the circumstances surrounding an assault itself can last only seconds, the consequences can last a lifetime. If you find yourself charged with assault for any reason, it is critical to respond and put forward the best defense possible.
Intent and Its Role in an Assault Crime
Intent is a key factor in any assault charge. An assault cannot happen by accident. There must be intentional conduct behind the conduct that causes injury to someone else.
Self-defense is a defense to an assault charge that is available in some cases. For example, your criminal defense lawyer can argue that you did make physical contact with someone but only did so to protect yourself or someone else.
When it comes to defending against the intent element of an assault charge, witness testimony becomes critical. A skilled defense lawyer will seek out video footage, photos, and any other evidence that can help raise reasonable doubt against the prosecution’s allegations.
When the prosecution alleges malicious conduct or intentional harm, the stakes become higher in a criminal case. You want a lawyer who is ready to challenge these allegations aggressively.
Can an Assault Charge be Reduced?
An assault charge can be reduced in certain cases. A knowledgeable assault defense lawyer will be able to examine the facts and evidence involved and negotiate with the prosecution to reduce the assault charge to something with less impact on your record and your career. For example, a charge of third-degree assault could be reduced to disorderly conduct or harassment.
Reductions in criminal charges will depend on the unique circumstances of each case, any injuries involved, and the strength of your defense. An experienced lawyer will know how to optimize your potential plea agreement. In some situations, an assault charge can even be dismissed entirely.
How Much Does It Cost To Hire a Kingston Assault Defense Lawyer?
The cost of retaining a criminal defense lawyer in a New York assault case will vary depending on different factors.
Some factors will include:
- The complexity of the case: Cases with extensive amounts of evidence, expert witnesses, and a likelihood of going to trial instead of settling through a plea agreement will involve more time and attorney’s fees.
- Legal experience: Skilled New York criminal defense attorneys with high levels of knowledge and experience will generally charge more than other, less experienced attorneys.
- The criminal charge involved: Defending against a single-count misdemeanor charge is far different from defending against multiple felony assault charges. Legal costs and fees will vary based on the charges at stake.
Legal representation is a significant but worthwhile investment. When charged with an assault crime, you only have one chance to defend yourself and protect your liberty. It is worth hiring an attorney who is ready to do everything it takes to fight for you.
Contact a Kingston Assault Defense Lawyer Today
Facing a criminal charge after an upsetting incident can feel overwhelming. You need to know what your legal rights are and what you can do to defend against an assault charge. Fortunately, our Kingston assault defense attorneys at Larkin Ingrassia Criminal Defense Attorneys have helped many others in your situation and will be ready to stand up for you, too.
You have important legal protections and could have a strong defense against the allegations against you. Contact our law office to schedule your consultation today.