What is a Simple Assault in New Jersey

Philadelphia Phillies outfielder Odubel Herrera was recently arrested and charged with simple assault following an alleged domestic violence incident involving his 20 year old girlfriend in Atlantic City, New Jersey where our criminal defense law firm often represents accused person in a variety matters including the illegal possession of drugs, guns, firearms and crimes of violence.  Obviously Mr. Herrera maintains a presumption of innocence but Major League Baseball and the Phillies have already taken administrative action and placed him on administrative leave. 

Always keep in mind that burden of proof (guilt beyond a reasonable doubt) is always on the State and never on the accused.  Organizations, however, like the MLB and the Phillies normally have a much lower evidentiary standard.  Regardless, of the ultimate outcome of the criminal case (i.e. diversion program), we may still see some sort of long suspension especially if there is video or some type of recording of the incident. 

This case presents another opportunity for me to explain the difference between the types of assault charges in New Jersey as compared to Pennsylvania where our law firm also maintains a practice. 

 

Simple Assault in New Jersey 

In New Jersey a person commits simple assault under 2C: 12-1 (a) if he or she attempts to cause or purposely, knowingly, recklessly causes bodily injury to another or negligently causes bodily injury to another with a deadly weapon. A person also commits simple assault in New Jersey under subsection (3) if he or she attempts, by physical menace, to put another under fear by imminent bodily injury.  This is the criminal charge that Mr. Herrara is facing in this case.   

 

New Jersey, unlike Pennsylvania, doesn’t classify crimes or offenses as misdemeanors or felonies, but rather as indictable offenses (crimes—1^st, 2^nd, 3^rd, & 4^th degrees), disorderly persons, and petty disorderly persons. Simple assault is a disorderly person’s offense (non-indictable) unless it is committed during a fight entered into by mutual consent, in which case it is a petty disorderly offense.  Simple Assault is usually graded as misdemeanor of second degree in Pennsylvania but can be graded as a misdemeanor of the 3^rd degree depending on the circumstances surrounding the incident.

 

Aggravated Assault in New Jersey 

While aggravated assault in New Jersey, like Pennsylvania, is committed when one attempts to cause serious bodily injury or causes such injury purposely or, under circumstances manifesting extreme indifference to the value of human life, recklessly causes such injuries (subsection 1). Aggravated assault is a crime of the 2^nd degree in these situations and a crime of the 3^rd degree where a person attempts to cause or purposely causes bodily injury with a deadly weapon or recklessly causes bodily injury with a deadly weapon. Here, aggravated assault is graded as a crime of the 3^rd degree. It is a crime of the 4^th degree if a person knowingly, under circumstances manifesting extreme indifference to the value of human life, points a firearm at another whether or not the actor believes that the firearm is loaded.

 

 

Law Enforcement & Assault in New Jersey (Protected Classes) 

New Jersey, like Pennsylvania, a person who commits a simple assault against a member of law enforcement, commits an aggravated assault. This means that the state does not need to establish beyond a reasonable doubt serious bodily injury, but only bodily injury. If the officer suffers bodily injury it is a crime of the 3^rd degree, otherwise it is a crime of the 4^th degree. New Jersey’s criminal code treats police officer’s, volunteer firefighters, EMS, and school employees as protected classes. This means that the Commonwealth doesn’t need to establish serious bodily injury but only bodily injury, which is normally the standard reserved for simple assault, a non-indictable offense.

 

Remember that in New Jersey there is a substantial difference between an indictable crime versus an offense (disorderly persons and petty disorderly persons). Indictable crimes are what Pennsylvania would define as felony offenses, whereas, disorderly persons and petty disorderly persons are misdemeanor and summary offenses.  Read my article to understand the difference! 

 

Degrees of Criminality in New Jersey 

Crimes of the 1^st and 2^nd degree carry with them the presumption of state incarceration. Examples and maximum punishments in the Garden State are as follows:

 

1. Crimes of the 1^st degree—murder, manslaughter, and rape:  The court can impose a basic sentence of 10-20 years or as much as 30 years to life for a crime like murder.

 

2. Crimes of the 2^nd degree—certain sex crimes, aggravated assault, aggravated arson, burglary, kidnapping, white collar crimes, and certain drug crimes: The court can impose a prison sentence of 5-10 years and a fine of up to $150,000.

 

 

3. Crimes of the 3^rd degree—robbery, possession of a controlled substance, and even some driving under the influence (DUI offenses): The court can impose a prison sentence of 3-5 years and a fine of up to $15,000

 

4. Crimes of the 4^th degree—stalking, some robbery offenses, some DUI offenses, assault offenses, and forgery offenses: The court can impose a sentence of up to 18 months in prison and a fine of up to $10,000

 

For more information on crimes and offenses in New Jersey, keep reading my blog or contact my office.