Nassau County
Assault Lawyer
Nassau County Assault Attorney
The offense of assault is the intentional injury to another person, and can result in a year or more of imprisonment and hundreds or tens of thousands of dollars in fines. If you are facing assault charges, it is crucial that you work with a Nassau County assault lawyer to protect your rights and your future. The right attorney can help you mitigate the penalties of assault charges or even avoid conviction altogether.
Choosing the Law Offices of Robert Tsigler, PLLC
The Law Offices of Robert Tsigler, PLLC, provides comprehensive defense representation for various charges, including assault. You can contact us at any time to discuss your case with an experienced Morris CouThe offense of assault is the intentional injury to another person, and can result in a year or more of imprisonment and hundreds or tens of thousands of dollars in fines. If you are facing assault charges, it is crucial that you work with a Nassau County assault lawyer to protect your rights and your future. The right attorney can help you mitigate the penalties of assault charges or even avoid conviction altogether.
At the Law Offices of Robert Tsigler, PLLC, we have worked for years to defend individuals against criminal charges, including assault charges. Our firm understands the complexities of New York assault laws and the potential defenses that may be applicable to your case.
Our criminal defense team is well-versed in state and local laws, as well as the workings of the court system.
Assault Charges
Assault charges can occur during misunderstandings, be the result of a mistake, or even occur when you acted in self-defense. These cases can be stressful and overwhelming, and you need exceptional and understanding legal support. We guide you through each step of the process, prioritizing clear communication and accessibility.
The Nassau County District Court is located at 99 Main Street in Hempstead. This court hears misdemeanors and infractions in the county, as well as the preliminary hearings for felonies. Our firm has strong professional relationships with local courts.
Assault Charges in Nassau County
Assault charges in New York can be classified as either a misdemeanor or a felony, although the majority of offenses are felonies. In 2019, the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) reported 791 offenses of aggravated assault in Nassau County. More recently, in 2024, the Division of Criminal Justice Services (DCJS) reported 1,577 offenses of aggravated assault, and 9% of those offenses involved a firearm.
The FBI and DCJS categorize aggravated assault cases as those where the victim suffers severe injury. In New York law, assault is primarily categorized into three degrees:
- Third-degree assault. This is the offense of intending to cause an injury to someone, and either causing the injury to them or to someone else. It is also the offense of causing physical injury recklessly, or the offense of causing physical injury with a weapon or dangerous instrument due to criminal negligence.
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Second-degree assault. The offense becomes a second-degree charge and a felony when the offender causes a serious physical injury or uses a deadly weapon or dangerous instrument to cause an injury.
Certain circumstances can also make a third-degree assault a second-degree assault, such as the assault of a police officer, healthcare worker, prosecutor, or health sanitarian with the intention of preventing the employee from completing their job duties, or the assault of an 11-year-old by someone 18 or older by reckless behavior. - First-degree assault. This is the offense of intentionally causing serious physical injury with a deadly weapon or instrument, causing an injury with the intention of disfiguring or disabling the individual, recklessly causing a risk to someone’s life and leading to physical injury, or causing injury while committing another felony.
There are also several other offenses of assault for specific circumstances, including:
- Reckless assault of a child
- Vehicular assault
- Aggravated vehicular assault
- Gang assault
- Assault on a judge
- Assault on a police officer, fireman, or emergency medical services provider
- Aggravated assault on a police officer
- Aggravated assault on a child under 11
Penalties for Assault Charges
Assault charges in Nassau County can result in the following penalties:
- Third-degree assault. This is a class A misdemeanor, resulting in up to 364 days of imprisonment and a fine of up to $1,000.
- Second-degree assault. This offense is a class D felony, resulting in up to seven years of imprisonment, a mandatory minimum sentence of two years imprisonment, and up to $5,000 in fines.
- First-degree assault. This is a Class B felony, resulting in up to 25 years of imprisonment, a mandatory minimum sentence of five years, and a fine of up to $30,000. The imprisonment sentence increases to between 10 and 30 years when the offense is aggravated assault on a police officer.
Depending on the circumstances of the assault, you could also be facing other charges, such as weapons offense charges. The prosecution may even pursue more serious charges like attempted murder. It is crucial that you get dedicated legal representation to potentially prevent being overcharged and limit the consequences of a conviction.
FAQs About Nassau County, NYC Assault Laws
Can a Claim Be Filed Against Me for Assault in New York?
Yes, in addition to criminal charges, you could face civil consequences in New York for assault. The victims of the assault can hold you liable in civil court for the cost of their damages, including medical bills. A civil court has a lower standard of proof than a criminal court. During a criminal case, the judge may also require the offender to pay restitution if they are convicted of the offense.
Can Assault Charges Be Dropped in New York?
Yes, there are cases where an assault charge can be dropped in New York, such as if there is insufficient evidence to proceed. However, if the individual who filed the assault charge recants their statement, this does not always result in charges being dropped. It is up to the prosecution to decide whether to continue charging for assault. If there is sufficient evidence even without the victim’s testimony, the prosecution will likely continue.
How Much Is an Assault Charge in New York?
The charge for assault in New York depends on the severity of the offense. Assault in the third degree is charged as a class A misdemeanor. This results in a prison term of up to 364 days and a fine of up to $1,000. A more severe type of assault is assault in the first degree, which is a class B felony. This can lead to between five and 25 years in prison and a fine of up to $30,000
What Qualifies as Assault in New York?
Assault in New York is the crime of intending to cause physical harm to another person and causing injury to that person or someone else, or causing injury through recklessness, or causing injury with a dangerous instrument or weapon through criminal negligence.
Assault is charged more seriously if a person intends to cause harm with a deadly weapon, attacks a police officer or social services employee, or causes injury with the intent to disfigure or disable another person.
Hire an Assault Lawyer in Nassau County
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Getting representation as soon as possible following any assault-related charge is the best way to promote a positive result from a subsequent trial. These charges are considered very serious. Only an experienced Nassau County Assault defense lawyer can successfully defend your case.
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