Mohegan Sun Casino Strangulation Lawyer
The Connecticut Penal Code treats strangulation as a criminal offense distinct from other forms of physical assault. In many cases, courts may prosecute strangulation crimes more harshly than they could a roughly equivalent assault offense. No matter how your specific charge came about or your relation to the alleged victim, you need a skilled assault attorney – assistance from a Mohegan Sun Casino strangulation lawyer could be vital.
How Does the Law Define Strangulation?
In Connecticut, someone can commit criminal strangulation in one of two ways: (1) by restraining someone else by the throat or neck, or (2) by obstructing another person’s mouth or nose. Either way, the defendant’s actions must either impede the victim’s breathing or restrict their blood circulation in order to constitute a criminal offense, as a Mohegan Sun Casino strangulation attorney could further explain.
State law goes on to define three “degrees” of criminal strangulation, each differentiated by the defendant’s intent, the effects of their actions on the targeted person, and any history they may have of criminal strangulation. The least severe form of strangulation defined in the Connecticut Penal Code is Strangulation or Suffocation in the Third Degree, which Connecticut General Statutes (C.G.S.) § 53a-64cc defines as someone strangling another person recklessly as opposed to intentionally. This offense is a Class A misdemeanor, so the maximum penalties upon conviction could lead to a $2,000 fine and a one-year jail term.
When Does Strangulation Become a Felony?
Strangling someone else with the intent to interfere with their breathing or blood flow, and then actually achieving that result, constitutes Strangulation or Suffocation in the Second Degree. According to C.G.S. § 53a-64bb, this offense is a Class D felony which, upon conviction, could result in up to five years in prison as well as $5,000 in fines.
Finally, Strangulation or Suffocation in the First Degree occurs when, while committing Strangulation or Suffocation in the Second Degree, someone uses or attempts to use any dangerous instrument or causes the targeted person serious physical injury. Someone who has previously been convicted of any First- or Second-Degree Strangulation offense in the past will also be charged with and prosecuted for a First-Degree offense if they are arrested again for intentionally strangling another person.
Strangulation or Suffocation in the First Degree is a Class C felony under C.G.S. § 53a-64aa, so criminal sanctions upon conviction could include a prison sentence between one to ten years in length, as well as $10,000 in fines. Therefore, support from a capable lawyer can be especially crucial to contesting felony strangulation charges at Mohegan Sun Casino.
What Are the Consequences of Strangulation Accusations?
If someone is accused of strangling a spouse, intimate partner, or any other household or family member, their offense may be designated as “domestic violence.” As a local strangulation lawyer could explain, this does not allow a criminal court to impose additional or enhanced criminal penalties upon conviction, but it does mean the criminal process will proceed more quickly and leave the defendant much less time to construct a strong defense.
On top of that, the court will likely impose a protective order against the defendant during their arraignment that will last until the conclusion of their criminal case and could include significant restrictions on their personal freedom. If someone allegedly strangles their child or commits strangulation in view of their child, they may also be subject to investigation by the state Department of Children and Families.
Get in Touch with a Mohegan Sun Casino Strangulation Attorney Today
Strangulation charges are taken seriously by law enforcement authorities in the state of Connecticut. If you are facing an accusation that you strangled someone else inadvertently or intentionally, the help of a Mohegan Sun Casino strangulation lawyer can make all the difference in your ability to preserve your interests. Learn more by calling Mark Sherman Law today, and click here to read what past clients have to say about working with us.