Connecticut Assault on an Officer Lawyer

Interactions with law enforcement officers can often be fraught with tension, fear, and misunderstandings, which can lead to serious consequences for citizens.

When encounters of this nature turn contentious, the potential for assault on a police officer arrest increases significantly, posing a true threat to the liberty, reputation and future prospects of the accused.

If you are facing allegations of this type, then there is no room for delay in crafting a vigorous legal defense. Aligning with a Connecticut assault on an officer lawyer with experience in handling felony matters can make all the difference in the outcome of your case. Reach out to a dedicated assault attorney at our firm today.

Defining the Charge

While law enforcement officials routinely treat the offense of assault on a police officer as being an entirely subjective concept over which they have nearly unlimited descriptive discretion, the Connecticut legislature has in fact provided a specific definition of the crime, which is articulated at Conn. Gen. Stat. Ann. § 53a-167c. A Connecticut assault on an officer attorney can help an individual determine the specifics of their charge.

Physical Pain

The statute states that an individual is guilty of this offense if they, with the intention of keeping an officer from carrying out their proper duties, actually cause the officer physical harm.

As many legal professionals would agree, the problem with the statute is that the requisite injuries in Connecticut arrests for assault on police officers have been liberally interpreted to require little more than physical pain to be suffered.

Also of note is the statutory requirement that the intent to interfere with official duties is what matters for purpose of arrest and conviction, not any intent to produce injuries. This distinction favors law enforcement and prosecutors, as it is far easier to demonstrate intent to prevent performance of duties than to physically harm an officer.

Scope of Officials Covered by Statute

Though the statute at issue is typically used to charge individuals with assaulting law enforcement officers specifically, it has been drafted to encompass physical altercations with a broader range of public personnel, emergency responders, and others, including:

  • Department of Correction employees
  • Employees/members of the Board of Pardons and Paroles
  • Judicial Branch employees charged with providing pretrial detention to juveniles
  • Liquor control agents
  • Department of Children and Families employees
  • Public transit employees
  • Members of canine search and rescue teams
  • Firefighters
  • Employees of emergency medical service organizations/EMS personnel; and
  • Emergency room physician, nurse or healthcare employee

Potential Penalties

As stated earlier, the possible consequences for those convicted of assault on a police officer or other covered public official can be serious indeed.

Having been assigned Class C felony status in Connecticut, violations of the applicable statute can bring terms of imprisonment ranging from one to ten years pursuant to Conn. Gen Stat. Ann. § 53a-35a, along with monetary fines upwards of $10,000.

These penalties are in addition to the ancillary ramifications of acquiring a criminal record, including job loss, extension of existing criminal sentence, further damage to reputation within the community and familial discord. An experienced Connecticut assault on an officer attorney can assist an individual in reducing any penalties they may be facing.

Call a Connecticut Assault on an Officer Attorney

Those accused of assaulting a public servant and who are now facing charges under the Connecticut assault on a police officer statute need to remember that effective defenses may well exist in their case. However, the assistance of a Connecticut assault on an officer lawyer is often the key to unlocking such strategies.

Self-defense against excessive force, exaggerated claims by law enforcement personnel, and questions related to actual intent can all be vital lines of argument in securing a positive outcome in your case.

However, as is true of any criminal charge, the sooner zealous legal representation is obtained, the stronger the chances of mitigating the negative impact on your future and that of your family. Call now to get started.

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