Specific Charges for Knife Assaults
There are multiple different charges that you might face for a knife assault. The charge that will be leveled against you will vary depending upon the circumstances of the assault and the level of injury the victim sustained. If you assault someone with a knife, you might be charged with first, second, or third degree assault. First degree assault is the most serious assault charge you can face, while third degree is a more minor charge. New York Penal Law states that a knife falls under the definition of a deadly weapon. Deadly weapons are weapons which have an extreme chance of causing death or permanent disfigurement to another individual. Multiple different types of knives are defined as deadly weapons. Using a knife during an assault is generally considered evidence of your intention to cause injury or serious injury. First degree assault is the charge you will face if your intention was to cause the victim serious physical injuries, and if you successfully inflicted serious injuries against the victim or a third party. You'll also be charged with first degree assault if your reckless actions cause serious injury or death to another individual. First degree assault is a class B felony, one of the most serious felony offenses. This means that you might be charged with up to twenty-five years in prison. Second degree assault has a definition similar to that of first degree assault. To be charged with second degree assault, your intention must have been to cause injury, but not to cause serious injury. This is a class D felony, which means it carries a potential of seven years in prison. Third degree assault is the least serious charge you can face if you assault a person with a knife. This is considered a class A misdemeanor. Class A misdemeanors come with a maximum jail sentence of one year. You might also be sentenced to probation instead of jail time. Third degree assault will be the charge if you negligently harm another person with a knife. Negligence is defined by an individual engaging in any type of conduct which deviates from the usual care that a reasoning person would use in that particular situation. If you have been charged with first degree assault, your attorney might try to get the charge reduced if the prosecution cannot prove you intended to inflict serious injury.15,000+
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