Aggravated Assault Simple Assault and Terrorist Threats

These cases frequently arise out of domestic violence, but not always. Occasionally, they result from bar fights, fights among neighbors, or arguments over child custody. They often overlap with PFA court, which are civil proceedings held before family court judges. 

In assault cases, it is very common for police to file charges without conducting much investigation, especially if the police observe visible injuries on someone. Police often are not witnesses to the actual crime, and therefore, the credibility of non-police witnesses becomes crucial to the case. 

Self-defense is a common defense raised in such cases. Therefore, private investigators are frequently used by criminal defense attorneys in such cases to investigate the background of the witnesses making claims against the accused defendant in order to determine whether the witnesses are going to be credible at trial. 

In many instances, agreements can be worked out by an experienced early in the case to prevent full prosecution through the criminal court system. Early resolution keeps charges lower, sentences lower, and court costs lower.