How To Defend Against Stabbing Allegations In Bergen County

According to various sources, violent crime is increasing slightly across New Jersey – and a common example of violent crime is a stabbing. If you were accused of stabbing someone, you could face serious legal consequences – including charges like attempted murder or aggravated assault. This situation may be particularly common among teenagers, and six teens were recently arrested for a stabbing incident in New Milford. If your child has been accused of carrying out a stabbing, consider speaking with a defense lawyer in Bergen County.

Teens Charged After Fight Involving Knives 

In late March of 2025, six teenagers were arrested after a fight in Bergen County. The altercation ended with someone getting stabbed, so authorities are treating this incident very seriously. Although the victim survived, he was left with multiple stab wounds and required immediate treatment at a nearby hospital. The incident occurred at the Madison Plaza shopping center on Monday at around 3:00 PM. This implies that the fight broke out shortly after some of the teens left high school for the day.

Police arrived at the scene and noticed one of the defendants fleeing from the scene. They arrested this individual and soon located the five others who had allegedly participated in the attack. These defendants range from 17 to 20 years of age. While most were charged as adults, the 17-year-old escaped with juvenile delinquency charges. One of the 18-year-olds was charged with aggravated assault and hindering apprehension, while all of the other defendants were charged with both aggravated assault and attempted murder.

One has to wonder whether all of these defendants are truly guilty. Since the fight involved so many people, it is safe to assume that some were simply bystanders. It is also unlikely that all six of the defendants stabbed the victim, and it may have been that only one carried a knife. The fact that the police arrested so many individuals is not surprising, but it does pose certain concerns for criminal justice. One can only hope that the teens who fought with their bare fists will not face the same penalties as those who wielded knives.

Defense Strategies for Aggravated Assault 

Aggravated assault is a felony in New Jersey, and it involves the use of a deadly weapon. In the case of a stabbing like this, it may be possible to argue “mistaken identity.” It may be impossible to prove which teen actually stabbed the victim – and prosecutors must establish guilt beyond reasonable doubt. This could be particularly challenging after a large fight with many people. In addition, it may be possible to argue self-defense.

Can a Bergen County Defense Lawyer Help With Aggravated Assault Charges? 

If you were caught up in a stabbing in New Jersey, you should speak with an experienced criminal defense attorney as soon as possible. Ideally, you should speak with a lawyer who has experience with aggravated assault cases in Bergen County. Although these allegations may seem daunting, various defense strategies could be possible – including self-defense. To learn more, contact Phillip J. Murphy, Attorney at Law today.

Sources:

nj.com/bergen/2025/03/6-arrested-in-fight-that-ended-with-stabbing-at-nj-shopping-center.html

northjersey.com/story/news/crime/2024/10/16/crime-in-new-jersey-according-to-the-fbi-database/74984580007/