Assaults/Drugs

Assaults: Assaults, under New Jersey Criminal Law, can include many classifications, such as simple assault, aggravated assault, assault with a deadly weapon, assault upon a law enforcement officer, stalking, murder, resisting arrest, and harassment. Penalties, upon conviction for an assault, can vary and are dependent upon numerous factors. Depending on the nature of the assault, one could face heavy fines; lengthy prison sentence; or period of parole ineligibility. Also, a charge for a simple assault can be escalated into an aggravated assault, if the crime is committed upon a law enforcement officer or other protected parties under the criminal code. 

Under the New Jersey Criminal Code, N.J.S.A. 12-1 encompasses the assault charges. A simple assault can be a disorderly persons or petty disorderly persons (mutual fight) under the statute and could result in county jail time. An aggravated assault is charged by means of degrees and could result in a lengthy prison sentence. Aggravated Assaults are handled in Superior Court, where simple assaults are primarily handled in Municipal Court. 

There are three types of injuries which determine the degree of the assault charge. The three types of injuries, per N.J.S.A. 11-1 are:

Bodily Injury: Means physical pain, illness or any impairment of a physical condition.

Serious Bodily Injury: Means 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; and

Significant Bodily Injury: Means 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. 

Depending on what type of assault you have been charged with, you can face a term of probation, county jail time, or a lengthy prison sentence with the application of the No Early Release Act (“NERA”) where 85% of the imposed sentence must be completed before you are eligible for parole.

Barbara Suppa has regularly handled assault cases throughout her legal career. She has proceeded to trial on many assault cases, including murder cases. To avoid a conviction on such serious crimes and harsh penalties, you will need a skilled negotiator and litigator, such as Barbara Suppa, to advocate on your behalf

Drugs: Drug convictions can affect your current lifestyle, harm your future, and tarnish your reputation for life. Conviction for drug offenses can involve heavy fines and long prison sentences. In New Jersey, drug crimes are complex as they are divided into categories based on the schedule of the drugs. Possession of a Controlled Dangerous Substance versus Distribution of a Controlled Dangerous Substance, in addition to the weight of the drug, can implicate a different charge, sentence and fines. There are times where an alternative disposition may be appropriate. An alternative path is recovery court. Recovery court is a special program for those who have a drug addiction and commit crimes. There are multiple phases and eligibility requirements. 

Due to the many entailed complexities, if you are charged with a drug crime, you must seek out the services of an experienced attorney such as Barbara Suppa for the handling of your case.  Ms. Suppa will analyze your case and negotiate for the best possible outcome while providing you with the compassion and dignity you deserve.