Assault

Stamford Assault Defense Lawyer with Over 30 Years of Experience

Getting arrested for assault in Connecticut can feel like your whole world has been turned upside down. Most of my clients charged with assault are not criminals. They are parents, spouses, professionals, students — regular people who had one bad moment, or were caught in a misunderstanding, or were accused of something far worse than what really happened.

The fear isn’t just about jail time. It’s about:

• Losing your reputation in the community
• Being seen as violent or dangerous by family, friends, or employers
• Facing protective orders that push you out of your own home
• Worrying whether you’ll ever be able to clear your name

I’ve seen firsthand how devastating an assault arrest can feel — but I’ve also helped countless people protect their futures, keep charges off their record, and move forward with their lives.

In Connecticut, assault doesn’t just mean a physical fight. It’s a broad category that covers many different scenarios, from a bar scuffle to causing serious injury with a weapon.

The law focuses on two things:

1. The level of injury caused (or intended)
2. The mental state of the accused (intentional, reckless, or negligent)

That’s why assault cases are divided into degrees.

What it is: The most common charge. Covers intentionally causing minor injuries, recklessly causing serious injury, or causing injury through negligent use of a weapon.

Penalty: Class A misdemeanor. Up to 1 year jail, $2,000 fine, probation.

Examples:

• A heated argument between partners where one pushes the other
• A fight outside a bar where one person suffers a bruise or small cut
• Accidentally causing injury while handling a dangerous item carelessly

What it is: Causing serious physical injury (broken bones, head trauma, internal injuries), often with a weapon.

Penalty: Class D or C felony depending on circumstances. Possible 1–10 years in prison and up to $10,000 fine.

Examples:

• Using a baseball bat during a fight
• A domestic argument escalating into serious harm
• Intentionally striking someone in a way that causes lasting damage

What it is: The most serious form. Involves intentionally causing serious injury with a deadly weapon or conduct that risks someone’s life.

Penalty: Class B felony. Possible 5–20 years in prison and fines up to $15,000.

Examples:

• Stabbing someone with a knife
• Causing permanent disfigurement
• Using a firearm to cause severe injury

Connecticut also has enhanced penalties if the victim is part of a protected class:

• Assault on pregnant women, elderly, disabled, or blind individuals
• Assault on police officers, teachers, or emergency personnel These carry higher penalties, even if the injury is relatively minor.

Many assault arrests in Connecticut arise in a domestic context. Even a minor argument between partners can trigger a domestic violence arrest if police suspect assault.

Key things to know:

• You’ll usually face a protective order right away — which could force you out of your home or cut off contact with your partner or children
• Your case will be placed on the domestic violence docket, which moves quickly
• Family Relations Officers interview you and the alleged victim the very next day in court

Protective orders can vary:

• Partial orders may allow limited contact
• Full stay away orders can cut you off from family completely

Part of my job is working to modify or reduce protective orders so you can continue family life as normally as possible while your case is pending.

1. Arraignment: Your first court appearance, usually the next business day. The judge sets bond and issues any protective orders.
2. Protective orders or conditions of release: Especially in domestic violence cases.
3. Discovery: Your lawyer requests police reports, medical records, 911 calls, surveillance video, and witness statements.
4. Pretrial negotiations: We meet with prosecutors to discuss evidence, defenses, and possible alternatives to trial.
5. Motions: Challenges to unlawful searches, suppression of statements, or motions to dismiss.
6. Resolution: Could be dismissal, AR program, reduced plea, or trial

There are many strategies to defend assault allegations, depending on your case. Some include:

• Self-defense or defense of others: You had the right to protect yourself or someone else
• Lack of intent: The State must prove you intended harm — accidents or misunderstandings don’t count
• No serious injury: For higher-degree charges, prosecutors must prove serious injury, not just minor harm
• Mistaken identity: Eyewitness accounts are unreliable
• Exaggeration or false accusations: Assault charges are sometimes used in divorce or custody battles
• Illegal search or seizure: If evidence was taken improperly, it may be excluded

Many first-time offenders may qualify for Accelerated Rehabilitation (AR):

• No guilty plea required
• Judge imposes probationary conditions such as counseling, no new arrests, restitution
• If completed, case is dismissed and your record stays clean

In domestic violence assault cases, the Family Violence Education Program (FVEP) is another option:

• A series of group counseling sessions
• If successfully completed, the case is dismissed

These programs are often the best way to protect your record and future.

A conviction for assault can impact your life in ways you might not expect:

• Employment: Background checks flag violent offenses
• Professional licenses: Nurses, teachers, lawyers, and finance professionals face disciplinary boards
• Immigration: Assault is considered a crime of moral turpitude and can trigger deportation or denial of naturalization
• Family court: Assault allegations can be used in custody disputes
• Firearms rights: Felony assault convictions mean permanent loss of gun rights

Assault charges often overlap with or get reduced to:

• Breach of Peace in the Second Degree (C.G.S. § 53a-181)
• Disorderly Conduct (C.G.S. § 53a-182)
• Strangulation in the Second Degree (C.G.S. § 53a-64bb)
• Violation of Protective Order (C.G.S. § 53a-223)
• Assault of a Pregnant or Elderly Person (C.G.S. § 53a-61a)

Knowing these related statutes allows us to negotiate reductions that avoid the stigma and penalties of a felony conviction.

The most important step is to stay calm and avoid making statements to the police. Anything you say can and will be used against you. Call a lawyer as soon as possible so we can start protecting your rights immediately.

Not automatically. Once the police file charges, the case is controlled by the prosecutor, not the alleged victim. However, if the complainant doesn't want to cooperate, it can strengthen your defense and increase the chance of dismissal.

Often, no. Many of my first-time clients qualify for diversionary programs that keep them out of jail and, in some cases, allow the charge to be dismissed entirely.

Misdemeanor assault (usually Assault in the Third Degree) carries up to one year in jail. Felony assault (First or Second Degree) can carry years of prison time. The exact charge depends on the injury level, whether a weapon was involved, and who the alleged victim was.

Yes, unless it's dismissed or erased through a diversionary program. That's why the goal in most cases is to avoid a conviction altogether.

If the case involves family or household members, it goes to the special domestic violence docket in Stamford Superior Court. Protective orders are issued at the first court date, and the case is handled on an accelerated schedule.

Assault charges can complicate both. Employers may react strongly, and international travel can be affected if you are on bond. Having a lawyer manage conditions of release and present your side early can protect your job and travel rights.

These cases are taken very seriously. Assault on public safety personnel is a separate statute with mandatory enhanced penalties. Immediate, experienced defense representation is essential.

It varies. A straightforward third-degree assault case could resolve in a few months. Felony assault cases can take much longer. Having a lawyer pushing the case forward often makes a big difference in timing.

Absolutely. Even a misdemeanor assault conviction creates a permanent criminal record that can affect jobs, housing, and future opportunities. A skilled lawyer can often get the case dismissed or resolved without a conviction.

An assault arrest in Connecticut is serious — but it doesn’t have to define your life. With the right strategy, many assault cases are dismissed, reduced, or resolved through diversionary programs that protect your record.

I’ve spent over 30 years defending good people in Stamford, Norwalk, Greenwich, and across Fairfield County who made mistakes or were unfairly accused. I know the courts, the prosecutors, and the programs that can help you.

Call Allan F. Friedman, Criminal Lawyer at (203) 357-5555 or contact me online today for a confidential consultation