New York City Criminal Assault Defense Attorney
Full-Service Criminal Defense Law Firm Based in NYC
Have you ever engaged in a verbal fight that escalated into a physical fight? Have you ever threatened to fight someone out of anger or frustration? In both situations, and many others, you may face assault charges for doing so. In such circumstances, it’s crucial that you align yourself with an assault defense attorney as soon as possible. The quicker you secure legal representation, the better your case will fair during negotiations or trial, as your attorney will have more time to prepare a solid defense strategy to protect you.
The court will not be on your side in an assault case. You need an assault defense attorney who is. Contact The Law Office of Yifei He, PLLC to get an advocate on your side. We can be reached at 1-917-338-7678 or via our online message form.
What Should You Do if You Are Arrested for Assault in New York?
You do not have to engage in a physical fight to be charged with assault. Simply making a threatening statement is enough to land you with criminal charges of assault, as is a failed attempt to inflict physical harm on someone else. You can even get prosecuted for making a threatening gesture towards someone else.
Given the sensitive nature of these charges, it’s essential that you seek legal help as quickly as possible. Your rights and freedoms could be on the line, and only a qualified assault defense attorney will know how to properly protect them. We urge you to contact us immediately for a free consultation to discuss your options at this time.
Penalties for Misdemeanor and Felony Assault Charges
In New York, assault can be classified as a misdemeanor or a felony. It all depends on the severity of the harm done to the victim and the physical characteristics of the victim, including their age, gender, and physical makeup. Whether or not you used a weapon during the assault will also be factored into you charges and sentencing.
According to New York Penal Law Article 120, if you are charged with assault, you can face penalties of fines up to $5,000 and jail time of up to 30 years.
Moreover, if you are a non-citizen of the United States, an assault charge will carry collateral consequences that could negatively impact your immigration status. For example, if you are charged with felonious assault, the United States Customs and Immigration Service might act to deport you back to your country.
For these reasons, you need an experienced attorney to evaluate your case and assist you in seeking the best outcome possible. We are here to help. Depending on the nature of the circumstances that led to your charges, we may be able to utilize one or more of the following defenses on your behalf:
- Self-defense – If you had reason to believe you were in imminent danger, your attempts to defend and protect yourself against impending harm should not be taken as assault.
- Defense of personal property – If you believed there was an imminent threat to your personal property and you used a reasonable amount of force to defend your property, you should not be charged with assault.
- Defense of another whom you believed to be in danger – If you had reasonable cause to believe that another person was in imminent danger and you acted to protect them from that danger, you should not be charged with assault.
- Mistaken identity – It is not uncommon for victims and/or witnesses to mistake the identities of their perpetrators and instead accuse someone else who is actually innocent.
If you are in the unfortunate situation of being charged with an assault, contact us immediately! Our NYC assault defense attorney can quickly evaluate the charges against you and determine the best course of action moving forward.
Your first consultation is free and confidential, so do not hesitate to call us at 1-917-338-7678 to schedule an appointment. Of, if you prefer, we can be reached online via our contact form.