Ridgefield Strangulation Lawyer

In addition to the several distinct degrees of Assault defined under the Connecticut Penal Code, several offenses are defined separately as Strangulation, which—as any experienced assault defense attorney could tell you—can often require unique defense strategies. From beginning to end of your legal proceedings, your tenacious Ridgefield strangulation lawyer can ensure your rights are respected and present the strongest possible defense, giving you much better odds of obtaining the results you want.

Different Degrees of Strangulation Under State Law

Much like Assault, the Connecticut Penal Code defines three different “degrees” of Strangulation, each of which is differentiated from the others by the defendant’s specific actions and the outcome those actions had for the person they allegedly targeted. As per Connecticut General Statutes (C.G.S.) § 53a-64cc, someone commits Strangulation in the Third Degree if they recklessly restrain someone else by the throat or neck or otherwise block their mouth or nose in such a way that it restricts their ability to breathe or their normal blood circulation.

Under C.G.S. §53a-64bb, Strangulation in the Second Degree entails someone restraining another person by the throat or blocking that person’s mouth or nose with the intent to impede their blood flow or breathing rather than through reckless misconduct. Someone can only be charged under this statute if their intentional act leads to the targeted person actually having their blood flow or breathing impeded in some way, as a Ridgefield Strangulation attorney can further explain.

Finally, C.G.S. § 53a-64aa defines Strangulation in the First Degree as someone committing Strangulation in the Second Degree after having previously been convicted of the crime or—if it is their first offense—while using a dangerous instrument or causing serious physical injury to the targeted person. It is worth noting that while no person can be charged with both Assault and Strangulation based on the same single incident, law enforcement can pursue both charges against someone based on the same information.

Potential Consequences of a Strangulation Conviction

Depending on the degree of Strangulation someone is charged with, the classification of their offense in terms of possible criminal sanctions may be anywhere from a Class A misdemeanor for a Third-Degree charge to a Class C felony for a First-Degree charge. This means that someone found guilty of Strangulation could face anywhere from a maximum of one year in jail and $2,000 in fines to a prison term of between one and 10 years, as well as a maximum of $10,000 in fines.

Additionally, if law enforcement categorizes a Strangulation offense as “family violence,” that defendant may be subject to expedited trial proceedings and the imposition of a protective order against them. This can substantially complicate constructing a solid defense, making retaining a skilled Strangulation attorney in Ridgefield especially vital to achieving a favorable case result.

Consider Working with a Ridgefield Strangulation Attorney

Depending on the circumstances, having an alleged act of Assault classified as Strangulation could lead to you facing harsher criminal consequences than you otherwise would have or even criminal charges over actions that otherwise would not have been illegal. No matter what led to you being accused of strangling someone else, working closely with a seasoned Ridgefield Strangulation lawyer can significantly improve your chances of getting a favorable outcome from your case.

Call the Law Offices of Mark Sherman today to learn more, and visit our Avvo profile to learn what our previous clients have to say about working with our firm.