Atlantic City Assault on a Hotel Employee Lawyer

Atlantic City is a vacation destination for millions of people each year.  Whether they are there for a family vacation or to visit the casinos, many of these guests stay at the hotels and hotel/casinos in the city, and millions more travel to AC for conferences and other trade shows.  With so many people passing through the hotels in Atlantic City, there are bound to be altercations and problems for many who stay at these hotels.

If a situation gets out of hand and police or hotel security are called, you could find yourself facing criminal charges for assault on a hotel employee.  These charges are quite serious and can result in jail time and high criminal fines, even for low-level simple assault charges.  If you were arrested and charged with striking or hitting a hotel employee in Atlantic City, NJ, contact the Law Offices of John J. Zarych’s Atlantic City assault on hotel employees lawyer today to schedule a free consultation with our criminal defense attorneys.  Our number is (609) 616-4956, and our attorneys can help explain the charges you face, the potential defenses, and how your case will progress.

The Definition of Simple and Aggravated Assault in NJ

New Jersey has two assault offenses: simple assault and aggravated assault.  Some states define assault and battery and other related offenses in very different ways, so it is important to understand the definition of these offenses specifically for New Jersey.  If you face charges for these offenses, understanding the legal definition of the offense might help you understand whether or not these charges should apply and how your attorney might be able to defend against the government’s case.

The definition of assault covers three scenarios where you can be charged with a crime:

• Attempting to cause someone else injury
• Negligently causing injury to someone else with a deadly weapon
• Attempting to use “physical menace” to put someone else in fear of injury

Breaking down these definitions into more easily-understood terms, this means you can be charged with simple assault for doing any of these acts:

• If you intentionally try to hit someone – even if you miss – you can still be charged with assault. As long as you intended to hit them, even if you didn’t actually mean to hurt them, you can still face charges.
• Mishandling a deadly weapon like a firearm or knife can lead to injuries. If you hurt someone by mishandling a deadly weapon, even by accident, you could still face simple assault charges.
• “Physical menace” means using your size, your demeanor, or a physical display of anger or force to intimidate someone else. This can be considered assault even if you do not attempt to hit anyone and would include assault for cocking back a fist and threatening to hit someone or quickly moving toward them in an attempt to scare them.

Aggravated assault is a more serious offense and includes attacks on certain protected individuals, such as police, firefighters, EMTs, and other medical professionals, as well as teachers, school bus drivers, principals, and other school officials.  Aggravated assault also includes charges for using a deadly weapon, causing severe injury, or strangling someone.

Defenses for Assault on Hotel Staff or Security

Many of these situations that lead to assault charges seem like mundane accidents or everyday occurrences that should not be charged as a crime.  Fortunately, if you are charged with a crime for these instances of assault, the level of crime is likely low, and police or prosecutors may drop the case if there was no serious harm.

If there is a fight or a safety problem at a hotel that has a security team, that team may respond aggressively.  These security guards are usually not police and are likely not authorized to grab you, assault you, or physically handle you unless they are actively acting in self-defense or defense of another.  If the problem has ended, there is no reason for hotel security to “manhandle” you or physically push you around, and if they do so, you may be able to argue that any assaults you were accused of were self-defense.

Aside from these defenses, other options to reduce charges or “plea down” to a lesser offense may be available.

Penalties for Assaulting a Hotel Worker in Atlantic City

If you are ultimately convicted of assault, you could face penalties depending on how the assault occurred.  Simple assault is a “disorderly persons offense” and is typically punished with up to 6 months in jail and fines up to $1,000.  If the “assault” occurred during a mutual fight, it is instead a “petty disorderly persons offense” with up to 30 days in jail and fines up to $500.

More serious cases of assault are graded as “indictable crimes” (similar to felonies) ranging from “fourth degree” up to “second degree.”  The choice of which level of offense you face depends on how the crime took place, and each degree carries the following penalties:

• Fourth degree crimes – up to 18 months in prison and fines up to $10,000
• Third degree crimes – 3-5 years in prison and fines up to $15,000
• Second degree crimes – 5-10 years in prison and fines up to $150,000

If you are convicted of a lower-level crime, there is a chance you could face probation instead of incarceration.

Contact Our Atlantic City Assault on a Casino Employee Lawyers for a Free Legal Consultation

If you face charges for assaulting a casino employee in Atlantic City, contact the Law Offices of John J. Zarych today.  Our Atlantic City assault on a casino employee attorneys may be able to take your case and fight to keep you out of jail.  For a free consultation on your case, contact our law offices today at (609) 616-4956.