Assault
Assault charges are serious whether they are filed on the municipal, superior court or federal level. If you are convicted, you could be facing severe consequences that will gravely impact your life — prison time, years on parole, a major effect on your reputation and even deportation. It is critical to retain an experienced criminal defense attorney who can protect your freedom, your record and your constitutional rights.
I, Susan C. Cassell, have been practicing law for more than 20 years and am a former federal prosecutor and former municipal prosecutor. I provide aggressive criminal defense to people throughout northern New Jersey and New York who are charged with misdemeanor or felony assault or domestic violence.
I help people just like you seek the reduction or dismissal of criminal charges, lower sentences and acquittals. Contact me at my law office in Ridgewood (near Paramus) to schedule a free consultation to discuss the assault charges pending against you. Call 201-445-3894.
There Are Concrete Steps We Can Take to Defend You From Assault Charges
In many instances, a simple scuffle — where both parties made contact with the other — results in assault charges against one of the participants. It is up to the prosecutor, based on police recommendations, to decide who will fact those charges.
It is very important to get a criminal defense attorney involved in your case as soon as possible, because an early intervention by your lawyer could result in your charges being dismissed. I can help you explain your situation in detail to the prosecutor or judge.
In appropriate cases, I recommended enrolling in anger management classes or counseling prior to the initial court date. This may show the judge that you are taking corrective action for your behavior.
If you are charged in New Jersey Superior Court, your willingness to take these steps could result in your being assigned to a pretrial intervention program. If you complete a pretrial intervention program and keep your record clean during a period of probation, the charges against you could be dismissed — which would keep you from having a criminal record.
In municipal court in New Jersey, the only pretrial intervention available is reserved for drug cases. Therefore, it is crucial to have an attorney who is an experienced plea negotiator. In some cases, filing counter charges may help during the plea negotiation process. In other cases, if we can convince the prosecutor to put off handling your case for six months and you commit no further offenses during that time, your case could be dismissed.
I will explain your options and what strategies are available to you so you can make the best choice. Although nothing is guaranteed when it comes to a criminal case, I will be available to you throughout the process to answer your questions and to zealously represent you.