April 17th should’ve been just an ordinary day on the job for NYPD Officers, but it was anything but that for one officer who was patrolling 231st Street and Broadway at around 2 P.M.
According to both reports and surveillance footage, a 45-year-old man walked up behind the uniformed officer and out of nowhere hits her in the back of the head. His attack doesn’t stop there, either. The man, later identified as Jose Garcia, started to go after both the female officer and her partner.
Nearby witnesses started recording the incident and later uploaded the footage to Twitter. On the footage, you can see one officer and another person taking down the assailant. As officers regained control of the situation, the attacker started ranting that “God” told him to do what he did.
Jose Garcia has been charged with assault, resisting arrest, obstruction of governmental administration, criminal possession of a weapon, menacing, and harassment. This long list of charges isn’t something new, however, as the suspect already has 11 previous arrests. Sadly, it appears the assailant may have a long history of mental health issues, too.
The officer who was attacked was taken to the nearby St. Barnabas Hospital. She was treated and later listed in stable condition.
Violence Against New York Police Officers
Under the law in New York, acts of violence are often considered criminal offenses, but the charges you face can increase significantly depending on the circumstances of the violent act and who the attack was against. If the victim was a police officer who was on duty, then your charges will be taken much more seriously.
Assaulting an officer is considered a felony offense. This crime carries a minimum of 2 years in prison and a maximum sentence of life in prison. Probation is usually not an option when you’ve been accused of committing a violent act against a police officer. The reason for this is because the law needs to protect police officers who get harmed in the line of duty.
On top of all these factors, you’ll also need to consider your previous arrest record. If you’ve been convicted of any type of violent crime within the past few years, then your current charges will automatically get taken more seriously. There’s a great chance that you’ll face increased penalties and that your charges won’t get reduced.
What’s more, you’ll face long-term consequences even after you serve your time for the crime. After getting convicted of a felony, you’ll lose certain rights. You’ll no longer be able to legally possess a firearm or vote. You’ll also likely face financial consequences in the form of court fines and restitution fees if the victim was seriously injured.
The best way to avoid all these consequences is to not get convicted. For your best shot at legal justice, it makes the most sense to hire a criminal defense attorney who can help.
If you’re interested in talking to an attorney in New York, then we invite you to schedule a free case evaluation with us today.
