Attorney Novajosky has a proven record of success in defending a wide variety of assault and threat cases, from simple to aggravated assault. Such offenses vary from misdemeanors to major felonies that could carry prison sentences ranging from 10 years to life.
If you’re facing an assault charge, you need counsel skilled in this type of case.
Click here to learn more about assault charges in Pennsylvania and how Attorney Novajosky can help you.
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Assaults
Threats and Personal Injury Offenses in Pennsylvania are commonly charged as Simple Assault, Assault on a Police Officer, Aggravated Assault, Aggravated Assault while DUI, Assault with a Deadly or Dangerous Weapon, Assault with Serious Bodily Injuries, Assault with Intent to Kill, Terroristic Threats, Kidnapping, Robbery, Second Degree Murder and First Degree Murder. These offenses range from misdemeanor offenses to major felonies that could carry 10 years to life sentences.
Simple Assault 18 Pa.C.S.A section 2701 (a)(1)(2)(3)(4)
Most assault offenses that police charge against individuals are misdemeanor offenses. Misdemeanor Simple Assault involves intentionally, knowingly, or recklessly inflicting bodily injury on another, attempting to do so, or putting someone in fear of imminent bodily injury.
Negligently causing bodily injury to another with a deadly weapon can also result in police charging Simple Assault. A deadly weapon is any weapon that could be used to cause death or serious injury, such as a gun or a knife.
One acts negligently when one should be aware of the risks of one’s acts but goes ahead anyway. The test is whether a reasonable person in the same circumstances would have been aware of the risk. If so, the act is negligent.
Physical Menace
Putting another in fear of imminent bodily injury with physical menace is Simple Assault. Physical menace must be an act; it cannot merely be a verbal threat. For example, verbally threatening to kill someone, by itself, is not physical menace.
PENALTIES FOR SIMPLE ASSAULT
In the absence of any circumstances warranting greater or lesser punishment, Simple Assault is a second-degree misdemeanor, punishable by imprisonment for up to two years and a fine of up to $5,000.
Simple Assault against a child under the age of 12 by an adult aged 21 or older is a first-degree misdemeanor, punishable by up to five years of imprisonment and a fine of up to $10,000.
Simple Assault committed in the course of a fight entered into by mutual consent is a third-degree misdemeanor, punishable by imprisonment up to one year and a fine of up to $2,500.
Aggravated Assault:
In some cases, an assault offense is charged as a Felony and is known as an Aggravated Assault. In these cases, police are accusing the individual of either causing Serious Bodily Injury or Attempting to cause Serious Bodily Injury.
Aggravated Assault is an extremely serious charge and can result in significant prison time if a person is convicted of this offense. Like Simple Assault, Aggravated Assault can be charged under a number of different sections and types. Each type has a differing degree of severity and must always be handled by an experienced attorney.
Assaults Can be Defended. Attorney Novajosky has a proven record of arguing Self Defense for many clients and prevailing in court with complete dismissal of the all charges. Even cases where Self Defense is not the appropriate strategy can be successfully defended with positive outcomes.