Assault and Threat Crimes

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Arrested for Criminal Mischief in Morris County?

Help Charged Criminal Mischief Morris County need lawyer best defense
Criminal Mischief

Have you been arrested and charged with criminal mischief in Morris County? Do you need a lawyer to fight these charges in court? We can help. Here is a case we recently handled for a client with great success in Florham Park.

Our client was arrested and charged with criminal mischief in the 4th degree (for alleged damage to property over $500 but less than $2,000). He was also charged with disorderly persons offenses of simple assault and harassment. He has no prior criminal history and this was his first contact with the criminal justice system at 48 years old. He and his significant other had an argument where he allegedly damaged their television and threw the remote control at him. He also was charged with harassment for excessive phone calls after he left the house.

Because of the fourth degree felony charge, the case was scheduled for CJP court in Morristown. Any felony cases must be handled in the Superior Court as opposed to the Municipal Court. Luckily, our lawyers were able to convince the Morris County Prosecutor’s office to downgrade the felony criminal mischief offense to a disorderly persons (misdemeanor) charge and all the charges were then remanded back to the Florham Park Municipal Court for disposition.

The alleged victim in this matter did not want to proceed with the charges and wanted the case dismissed. Since he was the only witness to the alleged acts, the State could not prove the charges in court beyond a reasonable doubt without his testimony. As a result, the Judge and the prosecutor in Florham Park agreed to a carry order where the case is dismissed after 60 days as long as there are no other domestic violence calls to their residence. When we returned to court after to 60 days had passed, the charges were completely dismissed. Now, the client is filing an expedited expungement to have the arrest removed from his record as well.

Need lawyer for simple assault, harassment Florham Park?

If you or a loved one needs assistance with a criminal mischief, simple assault, or harassment charge in Morris County, contact us anytime for a free initial consultation.

Boonton Detectives Investigate Knife Fight Outside Local Residence

Assault Attorneys in Boonton NJPolice in Boonton, NJ are investigating a recent stabbing that occurred outside a local home. The Boonton Police Department sent officers to a residence on the 200 block of Cornelia Street after receiving a 911 call shortly before 6:20 p.m. The caller was a 25-year-old man who said that someone stabbed him with a knife during a violent fight. When Boonton police officers got to the scene roughly 20 minutes later, they found the victim waiting outside and suffering from a stab wound to his upper torso. The victim was transported to Morristown Medical Center, where doctors treated him for his injury.

Stephen Jones, the Boonton police captain, later issued a news release about the violent incident. Jones stated that the victim reported unexpectedly encountering the suspect when he came from the victim’s backyard. The victim did not know the suspect and did not have any idea why he was on his property. When the victim confronted the suspect, the two of them got into a verbal dispute that quickly escalated and became physical. At some point, the victim reportedly took out a knife that he typically keeps on him for self-defense; however, the victim lost control of the weapon, allowing the suspect to grab it. The suspect reportedly used the knife against the victim and stabbed him in the chest.

Penalties for Aggravated Assault & Weapons Offenses in Boonton, New Jersey

Afterwards, the suspect fled the scene of the violent crime. The victim alerted Boonton police, which dispatched cops to the area. Boonton officers were joined by officers from other law enforcement agencies, including the Mountain Lakes Police Department, the Boonton Township Police Department, and the Morris County Sheriff’s Office K-9 Unit. Despite canvassing the area around the Boonton home in search of the suspect, police could not find him.

If police are eventually able to arrest the stabbing suspect, he could be charged with aggravated assault or maybe even attempted murder. Aggravated assault with a deadly weapon, which is addressed by the NJ Criminal Code in N.J.S.A. 2C:12-1(b), is a second degree felony and can result in a penalty of 5-10 years in NJ State Prison. Beyond that, since aggravated assault is one of the violent crimes listed in the No Early Release Act (NERA), anyone who is convicted of this offense would have to serve at least 85% of their prison sentence before they are eligible for parole.

Interestingly, the victim in the Boonton stabbing case might also be subject to criminal charges. The victim told Boonton detectives that he carried the knife for self-defense, but that claim will likely need to be investigated by police. In fact, it’s possible that the victim could be charged with possession of a weapon for an unlawful purpose. As set forth by N.J.S.A. 2C:39-4, possession of a knife for an unlawful purpose is a third degree felony and carries a penalty of 3-5 years in New Jersey State Prison. (Possessing a handgun under similar circumstances is a second degree felony and carries a possible penalty of 5-10 years in state prison.)

Schedule a Free Consultation with Aggressive Criminal Attorneys in Morris County, NJ

If you or a loved one has been charged with a violent crime in Morris County, you need to talk to a qualified criminal defense attorney as soon as possible. The experienced criminal lawyers at the Tormey Law Firm have successfully defended clients against aggravated assault charges in Boonton, Parsippany, Dover, and elsewhere in Morris County, NJ. Contact us today to discuss your case.

Dover Aggravated Assault AttorneyA Dover, NJ man faces aggravated assault charges after he allegedly used a knife to stab someone during a fight outside of a local bar.

The suspect, a 43-year-old man who lives in Dover in Morris County, allegedly committed the violent crime in front of Unique Bar on East Blackwell Street in Dover, New Jersey. The Dover Police Department received a 911 call about a stabbing and dispatched police officers to the area.

When Dover cops arrived at the scene, they saw the victim suffering from a significant injury to his chest. He was transported to Morristown Medical Center and treated for the stab wound.

Meanwhile, Dover, NJ police officers searched the area and located the suspect. He was subsequently arrested and taken to Dover police headquarters.

The suspect will have to answer a number of criminal charges: aggravated assault, terroristic threats, and possession of a weapon for an unlawful purpose.

For additional information this case, read the NJ.com article, “Man Charged with Stabbing Another in the Chest in Dover.”

Jefferson Township Assault AttorneysA New York man who previously resided in Jefferson, New Jersey is going to stay in jail while he waits for a trial in a child assault case.

The suspect is a 25-year-old NY man who used to live in Jefferson Township. He was placed under arrest for reportedly dropping a five-month-old kid.

The suspect faces criminal charges for aggravated assault and endangering the welfare of a child.

He was initially granted release from jail until the charges were resolved. The conditions of his release included a requirement to wear a GPS tracking device. However, the suspect allegedly removed the tracking device while staying with a friend in New York.

Now a Morris County Superior Court judge has ordered that the suspect be held without bail until trial.

In addition to facing criminal charges, the suspect is also subject to an investigation for child abuse. That’s because the New Jersey Department of Child Protection and Permanency (DCP&P), formerly known as the Division of Youth and Family Services (DYFS), typically initiates investigations in cases involving child abuse or child neglect.

For additional information about this case, go to the NJ.com article, “Man Who Allegedly Dropped Baby Returned to Jail After Removing Ankle Monitor.”

Denville NJ Dog Abuse ChargesDenville law enforcement is attempting to determine who may have abused a dog that ran away from its home for a day.

The dog is named “Duke” and reportedly ran away its home on East Glen Road in Denville, NJ. Duke’s owners contacted authorities to report that the dog was missing around 9:00 a.m.

It was nearly a full day before officials were able to locate the dog. Unfortunately, when the dog was found, it became clear that he had been abused. According to Morris County CrimeStoppers, the dog exhibited injuries “consistent with animal abuse.”

Anyone who abuses an animal in Morris County, or anywhere else in New Jersey, is subject to severe penalties because animal abuse is against the law. Right now, the Denville Police Department is investigating the possible abuse of Duke. If investigators are able to identify the person who abused Duke, criminal charges could be forthcoming.

For additional information about this case, read the NJ.com article, “$1K Reward Offered for Info on Dog Abuse in Denville.”

Dover NJ Criminal Law FirmDover NJ police detectives are currently investigating a stabbing incident.

The violent incident was committed a few minutes before midnight in the area of 116 East Blackwell Street in Dover, NJ. According to authorities, the victim, a 36-year-old man who lives in Dover NJ, was walking on East Blackwell Street when an unidentified man approached with a knife in hand. The suspect allegedly used the weapon to stab the victim and then fled the scene on foot.

Someone called 911 to alert Dover NJ police, which dispatched cops and emergency medical responders to the scene. Paramedics then transported the victim via ambulance to Morristown Medical Center so that doctors could treat him for his injuries.

The Dover Police Department and the Morris County Sheriff’s Office are conducting a joint investigation into the stabbing incident.

If law enforcement can determine the identity of the suspect, he would probably face charges for aggravated assault and weapons offenses.

For additional information about this case, check out the NJ.com article, “Cops Investigating Stabbing on East Blackwell Street in Dover.”

Madison New Jersey Assault AttorneysMadison NJ police officers recently arrested a local man who allegedly used a knife to commit an assault at a house.

The violent incident reportedly occurred around 2:19 a.m. at a residence on Park Avenue in Madison, New Jersey. The Madison Police Department sent officers to the scene after receiving a 911 call about a disturbance. When Madison police officers got to the residence, they talked to the victim. According to the victim, the suspect used a knife to slash him on the hand.

The victim suffered minor injuries in the assault and later received medical treatment at Overlook Hospital.

The suspect is a 51-year-old resident of Madison, New Jersey. He faces numerous criminal charges, including aggravated assault, simple assault, and possession of a weapon for an unlawful purpose.

If the suspect is ultimately convicted on either the assault charges or the weapons offense charges, he could potentially be sentenced to a lengthy term of incarceration in NJ State Prison.

For additional information about this case, check out the NJ.com article, “Man Charged with Knife Attack in Madison.”

Morris County Simple Assault AttorneysA Newark New Jersey woman has pleaded guilty to simple assault charges in connection with a violent incident at the Morris County Juvenile Detention Center in Morris Township, NJ.

The suspect, a 32-year-old Newark resident, worked as a corrections officer at a juvenile detention center in Morris County, New Jersey. She was employed at the facility for more than a decade before recently resigning.

According to law enforcement officials, the suspect violently assaulted a female detainee at the detention facility after the two of them got into a verbal altercation. The suspect allegedly punched and kicked the victim in her head.

The victim was in handcuffs and lying on the ground when the suspect allegedly assaulted her.

The assault by the suspect led to the victim suffering bruises and a swollen lip.

Police conducted an investigation into the suspect and ultimately decided to arrest her for use of excessive force.

The suspect eventually reached a plea deal with the Morris County Prosecutor’s Office and avoided trial in the case. Now she is expected to be sentenced to one year of probation on the simple assault charges.

Additionally, the suspect also agreed to resign from her position with the Morris County Juvenile Detention Center.

For additional information about this case, access the DailyRecord.com article, “Morris County Juvenile Detention Officer Admits Assault on Youth.”

Morristown NJ Aggravated Assault LawyersThe Morris County NJ criminal defense team at the Tormey Law Firm just won an important case and helped a client beat aggravated assault charges.

Our client faced severe penalties if convicted, including 5-10 years in New Jersey State Prison, heavy monetary fines, and a criminal record. The charges, and the possible penalties, stemmed from an incident in Morristown, NJ. According to Morris County prosecutors, the suspect caused serious injury to another man during a fight on a Morristown street.

No Early Release Act in New Jersey

Additionally, since aggravated assault is classified as a violent crime under the No Early Release Act (NERA), the client faced a mandatory period of parole ineligibility. This meant that he would be required to serve at least 85 percent of any prison sentence before becoming eligible for release on parole.

The NERA also stipulates that there is a presumption of incarceration for violent offenders. So even if you do not have a prior criminal record, a conviction for a second degree felony in NJ will mean that you are likely headed to prison.

Fighting Aggravated Assault Charges in Morris County, NJ

In the case of the client accused of committing an aggravated assault on a Morristown NJ street, the Morris County prosecutor initially offered a plea deal that would have required the client to plead guilty to aggravated assault. In exchange for the client pleading guilty, prosecutors would have recommended a sentence of probation. However, that plea agreement would have resulted in the client having a criminal conviction on his permanent record.

Fortunately, the experienced criminal defense lawyers at the Tormey Law Firm were able to successfully get out client admitted into the Pre-Trial Intervention (PTI) program. PTI is a diversionary program that allows a defendant to avoid prison and keep their record clear of a criminal conviction.

As set forth by N.J.S.A. 2C:12-1(b) of the New Jersey Criminal Code, a person is guilty of second degree aggravated assault if he attempts to cause serious bodily injury to another, or causes such injury purposely or knowingly or under circumstances manifesting extreme indifference to the value of human life recklessly causes such injury. However, aggravated assault is considered a third degree felony if a person attempts to cause significant bodily injury to another or causes significant bodily injury purposely or knowingly.

Under the NJ Criminal Code, the main distinction between a second degree charge of aggravated assault and a third degree charge of aggravated assault is the extent of the victim’s injuries. The key distinction is between “serious” injuries and “significant” injuries. N.J.S.A. 2C:11-1(b) defines “serious bodily injury” as bodily injury which creates a substantial risk of death or which causes serious, permanent disfigurement, or protracted loss or impairment of the function of any bodily member or organ. N.J.S.A. 2C:11-1(d) defines “significant bodily injury” as bodily injury which creates a temporary loss of the function of any bodily member or organ or temporary loss of any one of the five senses.

In the case of the Morristown client, the criminal defense team at the Tormey Law Firm meticulously analyzed the discovery evidence and the victim’s medical records to determine whether the victim actually suffered serious bodily injury. The criminal lawyers also engaged a skilled private investigator to compile information on all of the relevant parties. After numerous conversations with the prosecutors, our attorneys got prosecutors to reduce the second degree aggravated assault charges to third degree aggravated assault charges. The prosecution also agreed to allow our client to enter into Pre-Trial Intervention.

This was a fantastic result for the client. He walked away from the legal process with a chance to keep his criminal record clean. If you or a loved one has been criminally charged with aggravated assault or any other violent crime, contact the assault defense attorneys at the Tormey Law Firm today to discuss the charges, defense strategies, and how our criminal defense team can help you win your case.

Morristown Disorderly Conduct LawyersMorristown New Jersey police arrested 11 people during the recent Morris County St. Patrick’s Day Parade.

The annual St. Patrick’s Day Parade in Morristown poses serious problems for local law enforcement because people tend to get intoxicated and get unruly. However, law enforcement had less difficulties this year and ultimately arrested fewer people than usual.

According to law enforcement officials, police made a total of 11 arrests from 7:00 a.m. Saturday to 3:00 a.m. Sunday. Last year, Morristown police arrested 20 people during the parade. In 2015, Morristown police made 16 arrests.

The most common charge for individuals arrested at the recent St. Patrick’s Day Parade was simple assault, while multiple people were also charged with disorderly conduct, and resisting arrest.

In addition to making the arrests, Morristown NJ cops also issued 13 municipal ordinance violations to parade attendees who were allegedly caught drinking in public, urinating in public, and littering. In 2016, Morristown police issued 59 summonses during the parade.

For more information about this case, view the NJ.com article, “11 Arrests at Morristown’s St. Patrick’s Day Parade and Celebration.”