Brooklyn, NY asked in Personal Injury and Criminal Law for New York

Q: Hello , a woman was tailgating me and honking for couples blocks I stopped my car talk to her and come back to my car

She came to me and hit me in my face while I’m in my car and everything was recorded I have Dashcam so I push her back as defense of self , she falls on ground she seems drunk , we both get arrested what should I do? For me I have never been arrested before I wondering if I’m I in trouble or not ? And I’m thinking to sue her but I don’t know when sue her before or after my hearing in the criminal court

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1 Lawyer Answer
James L. Arrasmith
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Answered

A: In New York, if you've been arrested following a confrontation where self-defense was involved, it's important to secure legal representation. The presence of a dashcam recording can be significant in demonstrating the events that led to the altercation. In terms of criminal proceedings, focus first on addressing the charges against you. Your attorney can assess the strength of your self-defense claim based on the evidence.

Regarding the potential lawsuit against the woman, consider waiting until the criminal matter is resolved. This is because the outcome of the criminal case could impact the civil case. The decision to sue should be made in consultation with your lawyer, who can guide you on the timing and merits of a potential civil action. It's essential to discuss all these aspects with your lawyer to navigate both the criminal and potential civil proceedings effectively.

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