Personal Injury Law Firm Brooklyn Assault and Threat Case Resolution

The client met a longtime friend at a neighborhood bar in Brooklyn, where both consumed alcohol over several hours.

During the walk home, a disagreement arose concerning a past personal loan that the friend claimed had not been repaid in full.

The conversation quickly escalated into a verbal argument, with both parties exchanging accusatory language as emotions intensified.

According to the police report, the client made contact with the friend in an attempt to stop the argument and create distance between them.

During this interaction, the friend lost balance and fell onto the sidewalk, later reporting pain in the lower back and hip area.

Medical records reflected soft tissue injuries consistent with a short recovery period, forming the basis for an assault allegation under New York Penal Law §120.00.

In addition to the physical injury claim, the friend reported that the client made a statement interpreted as a threat involving the friend’s family.

Although no weapon was involved and no further action followed, prosecutors evaluated the statement under New York Penal Law §120.15 (Menacing).

The combination of alleged injury and threatening language created compounded legal exposure.

Prosecutors charged the client with misdemeanor assault based on alleged physical injury and menacing based on the reported verbal threat.

Although the client maintained that the altercation was mutual and unintentional, the presence of documented injury required a structured legal response.

Without proper defense strategy, the charges carried the risk of incarceration and a lasting criminal record.

The legal team emphasized that the physical injury resulted from an accidental fall during a mutual argument rather than intentional violence.

Video footage from nearby security cameras, witness statements, and inconsistencies in testimony were used to demonstrate lack of criminal intent.

This approach weakened the prosecution’s ability to prove intentional assault beyond a reasonable doubt.

The client expressed remorse and took responsibility for escalating the argument, submitting a written statement to the court.

To facilitate resolution, the client voluntarily deposited restitution funds and sought to repair the relationship with the complainant.

After reviewing the totality of circumstances, the court imposed a $1,000 fine, concluding the matter without incarceration or probation.