If a New Jersey resident is threatened with imminent harm through the words or actions of another, he or she may be able to seek justice in civil court. A personal injury claim can be filed to seek compensation for damages sustained, whether such damages involve emotional, economic or physical injury. Incidents of assault often involve criminal charges; a victim who decides to seek legal accountability against an aggressor may be able to use information regarding criminal charges filed to his or her advantage in a civil case.

An incident occurred at approximately 11:25 p.m. on a recent Monday that may be an example of alleged assault situations that often lead to civil litigation. In this instance, a woman, age 35, told police that a 31-year-old man choked her so severely that she could not breathe. Police reports show that the man is believed to have been intoxicated at the time.

Criminal charges were filed against the man after responding officers took him into custody and locked him behind bars in a county jail. He will now face charges of burglary, criminal trespass, strangulation and public drunkenness. The court set his bail at $100,000.

Assault that causes a person injury is legally defined as an “intentional tort” and may be subject to civil litigation if a recovering victim files a personal injury claim against his or her aggressor. The plaintiff in such cases is tasked with providing evidence to show the court that injury occurred and was directly caused by the defendant. An experienced New Jersey injury law attorney can provide guidance and support to any man or woman wishing to explore claim options regarding an incident that took place in this state.