Palisades Park NJ Assault Charges Issued for Five Individuals

A parking dispute in Palisades Park New Jersey quickly escalates when five young men turn violent against an older man. According to the Palisades Park Police Department, all five individuals began punching the victims in the face and head after they argued over a parking spot. In addition to the punches to the face, it is alleged that once the victim subdued to the punches and fell to the ground, they then began kicking him. To make matters worse, they even went after the victims nephew once he attempted to intervene and stop the beating.

The initial reports indicate that the five young men then hoped into a Jeep Cherokee and speed off. However, fortunately for the victim, a bystander was able to take a photo of the defendants license plate. The police used the information received from the bystander and were able to trace the vehicle to one of the defendants. Apparently, after a brief interrogation, the defendant gave up the other four individuals alleged to be involved in the incident.

The victim was hospitalized as a result of the beating. He suffered a broken nose, a concussion and contusions to the head area as well. All five defendants have been charged with aggravated assault and were sent to the Bergen County Jail. It has been reported that all five defendants have posted their $25,000 bail. The Palisades Park Police have also reported that the same group of individuals have been involved in similar assaults throughout Palisades over the past year. 

The defendants will most like be charged with third degree aggravated assault. To be convicted of third degree aggravated assault in New Jersey, the main element that the state must prove beyond a reasonable doubt is that the defendants either caused or attempted to cause significant bodily injury.  The legislature has defined significant bodily injury as “bodily injury which creates a temporary loss of the function of any bodily member or organ or temporary loss of any one of the five senses”. If convicted of a third degree aggravated assault charge in New Jersey you could be sentenced up to five (5) years in a New Jersey State Prison.

As you can tell the penalties for an assault charge can be life changing. If you or someone you know has been charged with an aggravated assault in Palisades Park and would like a Palisades Park criminal defense attorney then, the Law Offices of Marshall, Bonus, Proetta & Oliver can help. If you would like to speak with any one of our eight criminal defense attorneys on staff please contact us directly at 1-800-682-4037 for a free initial consultation.