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Assault 3rd Degree · NYC

Simple Assault in NYC: Assault in the Third Degree, Explained

A fight, a shove, a moment that got physical — and now you're charged with assault in the third degree in New York City. Here's what the charge actually is, how NYC Criminal Court tends to handle it, and the step you control.

What the Charge Means

In New York, assault in the third degree (Penal Law § 120.00) is a class A misdemeanor — the most common “simple assault” charge — alleging you caused physical injury to another person. It's handled in NYC Criminal Court and carries the possibility of jail, a fine, and a record, though many first-offense matters resolve well below the maximum. The process runs weeks to months through arraignment and conferences, and that runway is your opportunity.

A Misd.
class A misdemeanor — handled in NYC Criminal Court
ACD
possible path to dismissal & sealing for eligible cases
Same Day
enrollment letter your attorney can use at the next conference
Why Anger Management Fits
A third-degree assault out of a heated moment is, to the court, an impulse-control event. A documented program answers the exact question the case raises.

What Helps the File

Voluntary enrollment before you're ordered — see our proactive guide — plus no contact with the complainant and exact compliance with any order of protection is the file that resolves well. A live remote program gives your attorney a same-day enrollment letter, progress reports, and completion documentation formatted for NYC Criminal Court. If an ACD is on the table, documented steps strengthen that request — see how ACD works.

Before your date

from $675 · live remote

Court-accepted live remote program. Private and direct — no insurance, no diagnosis on file, no third parties. Same-day enrollment letter, graded and documented, accelerated pacing available. Flat rate set at enrollment by program length.

Text NY ENROLL — Enrollment Letter Often Within Minutes

Live one-on-one remote sessions, private and direct. Same day when possible. English y Español.

💬 Text NY ENROLL to(201) 205-3201

Questions People Ask

Is assault in the third degree a felony in New York?
No — assault in the third degree is a class A misdemeanor, handled in NYC Criminal Court. The felony assault charges (first and second degree) involve serious injury, weapons, or other aggravating factors and are handled differently.
Can an assault 3 charge in NYC be dismissed?
Many first-offense matters resolve through dismissal, a reduction, or an ACD that ends in dismissal and sealing — eligibility depends on the facts and your history, which only your attorney can assess. Documented voluntary steps are commonly part of that picture.
Should I start anger management before my court date?
Many defense attorneys recommend exactly that — voluntary enrollment before being ordered reads very differently than complying afterward, and a same-day enrollment letter gives your attorney something concrete at the next conference.
Is the program really all remote?
Yes — 100% live remote, one-on-one by secure video, evenings and weekends available. Private and direct: no insurance, no diagnosis on file, flat rate from $675.