The Legal Consequences of a Bar Fight

When we head out to our favorite watering hole, the last thing we expect is getting into a fight. But it does happen – especially here in New Jersey.  Just last month, a man had died following a fight outside a Patterson bar in the wee hours of St. Patrick’s Day weekend. The Attorney General’s office is now investigating the incident.

As we explained in a previous blog, warmer weather does tend to bring more violence in cities across our country. And with temperatures heading to the 70s and 60s this weekend, we may see a few fights in the bars around Jersey City.

• If you get involved in one of these fights, do you know what to do?

Bar Fights in Jersey City: Criminal Consequences

If you are involved in a bar fight, what legal consequences could you be facing? It all depends on the injuries involved. If you caused little to no injury, you’re probably going to be facing simple assault charges. The charges would be heard on the municipal court level, and you could be facing jail time and fines.

• However, if the fight resulted in serious injury, you could be facing aggravated assault. You could be facing serious jail time, and hefty fines, along with other penalties.

Intentional Tort and Dram Shop Law

Bar fights are essentially assault cases, and according to New Jersey law, you can file a civil lawsuit not only against those who began or participated in the fight but also those who allowed the conflict to occur in the first place. As intentional tort law states, if someone has caused deliberate harm to you, you have the right to bring a lawsuit against that person. Intentional tort different than negligence claims – negligence means someone’s actions can be viewed as carelessness, causing injury whereas intentional tort means the harm was intended.  Therefore you could file a suit against those involved with the fight.

• You may also have a lawsuit against the bar and its employees. According to New Jersey’s dram shop laws, According to the law, you are allowed to bring a civil suit against a business that served or sold alcohol to someone who went on to cause an alcohol-related accident.

The Law Offices of Anthony Carbone Can Help

If you or your loved one suffered a severe injury that occurred in a New Jersey bar or nightclub, you’re going to need the right lawyer who knows the ins and outs of both the criminal system and civil law here in New Jersey. For more than 30 years, Jersey City attorney Anthony Carbone has been standing up for the rights of clients throughout the Garden State. He will make sure you get the compensation that you deserve.

Don’t wait another moment! Contact the Law Offices of Anthony Carbone now for a free consultation.

CALL NOW 201-829-3829

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