Expect Serious Consequences If You Assault These People In Rockland County

In New York, penalties for violent crimes become more serious depending on the victim. If you attack, threaten, or hurt certain people, you can expect different types of consequences. This might seem strange seeing as justice is supposed to be blind. However, the law is the law – and it is important to understand the effect of different victims if you face charges for violent crimes in New York. 

Family Members 

Jurisdictions across the United States take violence within families very seriously, and New York is no exception. This may be referred to by many terms, including “family violence,” “family battery,” “dating violence,” “domestic assault,” and “domestic violence.” In New York, you will face serious consequences for violent acts targeted at people within your “household.”

This vague definition leaves plenty of room for interpretation. People within your household might be aunts, uncles, grandparents, parents, siblings, nieces, children, spouses, partners, ex-wives, in-laws, and various other individuals. As long as they are within your household, you can expect much more serious penalties compared to a “normal” assault. 

Seniors 

You might also face heightened penalties for assaults or violent acts against senior citizens. This could be interpreted as a form of senior abuse, which is unlawful in New York. Note that the chance of a serious injury is much higher for incidents involving seniors. Even if you lightly touch a senior, they could lose their footing, fall, and suffer a catastrophic hip fracture. Suddenly, a relatively innocent physical interaction becomes a very serious crime. 

Children 

New York also has strict laws against child abuse and child neglect. Physical acts against children will be met with very serious consequences. This may fall under the general definition of “domestic violence,” but you can also face consequences for acts against minors that are not within your household. 

Police Officers 

Assaults on peace officers represent serious offenses in New York. This is a Class B violent felony in New York. In some cases, you may be justified in your actions if you defended yourself against excessive force. Speak with a defense attorney for more information. 

Certain Minorities 

Finally, you could face heightened penalties for assaults against minorities in certain situations. If you target these individuals specifically because of their minority status, you could face hate crime charges. This makes a normal assault charge much worse. Prosecutors would need to prove clear evidence of discrimination, however – and this isn’t always easy. For example, you might have screamed racial slurs while attacking someone. 

Find a Qualified Defense Attorney in Rockland County 

If you have been searching for a qualified New York criminal defense attorney, look no further than Phillip J. Murphy, Attorney at Law. Over the years, we have helped numerous defendants throughout New York – including those accused of assault and other violent crimes. We know that your consequences may seem confusing if a certain victim is involved – and it’s best to discuss appropriate defense strategies during a consultation. Reach out today to get started.

Sources

opdv.ny.gov/

nyc.gov/site/nypd/stats/reports-analysis/hate-crimes.page