Being charged with an assaultive crime can be a frightening experience, but you should be aware that there are numerous potential methods to challenge the state's allegations. One of the leading defenses for assault charges involves self defense, as you have the right to protect yourself when you are under attack and or reasonably in fear of immediate threat to your safety. You may also be able to successfully have the charges reduced if you entered into a scuffle or physical altercation with mutual consent. For instance, a typical simple assault charge is considered a disorderly persons offense, but it may be reduced to a petty disorderly persons offense for mutual fighting. This limits your exposure to penalties.
There are other ways to get these charges dropped as well, for example, by agreeing to an alternative solution like anger management counseling. A skilled attorney may also be able to use medical documentation showing that you were, in fact, injured to disprove the accusations that you were the one causing harm on your own.