Strangulation Defense Lawyer

Swiftly Challenging Strangulation Charges

Contact an experienced Manhattan criminal defense lawyer immediately if you or a loved is accused of this crime. The strangulation statute was added to the New York State Penal Law only a few years ago. It was formed because legislators believed there was a loophole in the penal code that didn’t account for certain violent and harmful behavior. New York’s assault statute is codified in Article 120.

Our attorneys at Konta Georges & Buza P.C. remain current on changes in criminal statutes, so you can rely on them to use cutting-edge strategies to resolve your matter. If you have been accused of committing this violent crime, they will take effective action to protect your name, your rights and your future. Get skilled legal advice about your situation when you consult with us.

Finding Middle Ground In Violent Crime Cases

In just about every assault charge, there is a legal requirement that a person suffers physical injury or serious physical injury as a result of the perpetrator’s actions. However, the purported victim of strangulation often may show no injuries. Therefore, the assault statute is not applicable.

So, in a situation where someone is arrested for choking someone else for a few terrifying seconds, prosecutors were historically stuck between charging attempted assault in the third degree for the attempt to cause physical injury or attempted murder for the intent to kill the person. Attempted assault in the third degree is a class B misdemeanor punishable by up to 90 days in jail. Attempted murder can be punishable by up to 25 years. There was no middle ground.

Strangulation Charges And Penalties

Strangulation allegations occur frequently in domestic violence situations. The lack of a law that dealt with strangulation specifically was particularly vexing for prosecutors in these situations. Now, prosecutors have this middle ground in situations where a person chokes another person. That middle ground is the strangulation statute.

Our criminal defense lawyers can defend against all three degrees of strangulation charges:

• The first is the Criminal Obstruction of Breathing or Blood Circulation (Penal Code Section 121.11). This is a class A misdemeanor punishable by up to one year in jail. A person is guilty of this charge when: “With intent to impede the normal breathing or circulation of the blood of another person, he or she either (i) applies pressure on the throat or neck of such person or (ii) blocks the nose or mouth of such person.
• The next highest level of crime is Strangulation in the Second Degree (Penal Code Section 121.12). A person is guilty of this crime when he or she commits the crime of criminal obstruction of breathing or blood circulation as it is defined in the above paragraph and when he or she causes: “Stupor, loss of consciousness for any period of time, or any other physical injury or impairment.” This crime is a class D felony punishable by up to seven years in jail.
• The most serious level of a crime under this statute is Strangulation in the First Degree (Penal Code Section 121.13). A person is guilty of this crime when they commit the crime of criminal obstruction of breathing or blood circulation and when their actions cause serious physical injury to the other person. This is a class C felony punishable by up to 15 years in jail.

For any subsection of this crime, there is an affirmative defense that the person who committed the act did so for a legitimate medical or dental purpose.

Schedule Your Free, No-Obligation Consultation Today

Strangulation, in all its forms, is a serious accusation. Contact our team a free consultation if you or a loved one is accused of this crime. Call 212-710-5166 now.

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