Felony Assault in Nebraska

In Nebraska, assault in the first degree consists of intentionally or knowingly causing serious bodily injury to another, and it is a Class II felony. Nebraska singles out other assaults for specific punishment, as explained below.

(Neb. Rev. Stat. Ann. § 28-308.)

For more information on assault with a firearm, handgun, or other deadly weapon, see Assault with a Deadly Weapon. For information on misdemeanor assault, see Misdemeanor Assault in Nebraska.

Actions that Constitute an Assault

Someone acts knowingly or intentionally when they intend to do an act and intend the consequence. For example, extending one's foot in the pathway of a walking person in order to trip him is a knowing and intentional act; but losing one's balance and falling, thereby causing the person behind you to fall also, is not.

A reckless act is one that is committed without regard for the outcome or attention to the risk involved. Recklessness is more than simple negligence, or carelessness. Pushing someone out of the way on an escalator so that you can get through, without intending to injure the person but without proper regard for the risk to that person, could be an assault if the person falls and is injured.

What Constitutes "Serious Bodily Injury" and "Bodily Injury?"

In Nebraska, serious bodily injury means bodily injury that involves a substantial risk of death, or that involves substantial risk of serious permanent disfigurement, or protracted loss or impairment of the function of any part or organ of the body. For example, a knife wound that requires stitches, lost finger, or collapsed lung are usually considered serious bodily injury.

Bodily injury means physical pain, illness, or any impairment of physical condition. A sprained ankle, deep bruise, or pinched nerve are common examples of bodily injury.

(Neb. Rev. Stat. Ann. § 28-109.)

Assault Against a Law Enforcement Officer or Select State Employee

Assaulting a peace office, probation office, firefighter, emergency care provider, Department of Correctional Services employee, health care professional, or Department of Health and Human Services employee (if the offender is a dangerous sec offender committed to state custody) in the performance of his duties is assault in the first degree if the offender intentionally or knowingly causes serious bodily injury. The crime is a Class ID felony.

(Neb. Rev. Stat. Ann. § 28-929.)

Assault in the third degree against a law enforcement officer or state employee consists of intentionally, knowingly, or recklessly causing bodily injury to an officer while he is engaged in the performance of his duties. The crime is a Class IIIA felony.

(Neb. Rev. Stat. Ann. § 28-931.)

Intentionally or knowingly using a motor vehicle to run over or strike a law enforcement officer or select state employee is a Class IIIA felony if the victim suffers bodily injury.

(Neb. Rev. Stat. Ann. § 28-931.01.)

Assault committed with a dangerous weapon or instrument is also a felony in Nebraska – assault in the second degree.

Domestic assault – assault against an intimate partner such as a spouse, former spouse, boyfriend or girlfriend or someone with whom the defendant has children – that results in serious bodily injury is also a felony in Nebraska. For information about this felony assault, see Nebraska Domestic Violence Laws.

Assault with a Bodily Fluid Against a Public Safety Officer

Assault with a bodily fluid against a public safety officer is felonious assault when a person knowingly and intentionally strike a public safety officer's eyes, mouth, or skin with bodily fluid (for example, blood, urine, saliva, and feces) that the person knows is infected with HIV, hepatitis B, or hepatitis C. The crime is a Class IIIA felony.

(Neb. Rev. Stat. Ann. § 28-934.)

Penalties for Felony Assault in Nebraska

Assault in the first degree

The penalty for assault in the first degree in Nebraska, a Class II felony, is one to fifty years in prison.

(Neb. Rev. Stat. Ann. § § 28-308, 28-105.)

Assault against a law enforcement officer

The penalty for assault against an officer in the first degree, a Class ID felony, is three to fifty years in prison.

(Neb. Rev. Stat. Ann. § § 28-929, 28-105.)

The penalty for assault against an officer in the third degree and assault against an officer with a motor vehicle, both Class IIIA felonies, is up to five years in prison, a $10,000 fine, or both.

(Neb. Rev. Stat. Ann. § § 28-931, 28-931.01, 28-105.)

The penalty for assault with a bodily fluid against a public safety officer, a Class IIIA felony, is up to five years in prison, a $10,000 fine, or both.

(Neb. Rev. Stat. Ann. § § 28-934, 28-105.)

Hate crimes and pregnant victim enhancement

Under Nebraska's Hate Crime statute, an assailant who commits an assault in the first degree because of the person's race, religion, gender, sexual orientation, age or disability or other status listed in the statute must be punished for the next level of offense (for example, a Class II felony becomes a Class ID felony, which has an increased minimum prison sentence). If the victim of an assault in the first degree or an assault against an officer in the first or third degree third degree is pregnant, the offender also is subject to the same enhanced punishment.

(Neb. Rev. Stat. Ann. § § 28-111, 28-115.)

Restitution

A person convicted of assault in Nebraska can be required to pay restitution, which involves reimbursing the victim for any expenses resulting from the crime, such as the cost of medical treatment or counseling or repair or replacement of damaged property.

(Neb. Rev. Stat. Ann. § § 29-2280, 29-2281.)

Probation

A court in Nebraska can impose probation for up to five years for a felony assault conviction rather than imprisonment. If the offense, such as a Class II felony, requires a minimum prison sentence, that sentence must be served before the defendant can begin probation. A person on supervised probation must meet with a probation officer and comply with conditions of probation such as treatment, maintaining employment and avoiding any further criminal activity or arrests.

(Neb. Rev. Stat. Ann. § § 29-2263, 28-105.)

Pleas and Pre-Trial Options

If you are facing a felony assault charge in Nebraska, an attorney can investigate the case and determine if you were wrongfully charged or there are other reasons why the case should be dismissed before trial. An attorney also may be able to negotiate a plea bargain with the prosecutor on your behalf, or prepare a defense and represent you at trial if you believe you have been wrongly accused or if there are no reasonable plea options. Prosecutors may negotiate and agree to a lighter sentence in exchange for a guilty plea or to the defendant pleading guilty to a different, less serious crime.

The Value of Good Representation

A conviction for felony assault becomes part of your permanent criminal record. If you are convicted later of another crime, the court can consider your prior conviction and impose a harsher sentence in the new case. A convicted felon loses the right to vote, hold public office, serve as a juror, and carry or own firearms. In certain circumstances, a felony conviction also can result in loss of a professional license. A conviction for a violent felony can hurt you when you are looking for a job or applying to rent a house or apartment.

Only someone familiar with the local criminal court system and cases like yours will know how good your chances are for a favorable outcome in court or at the negotiating table. A knowledgeable attorney will take all of this into consideration, assist you in making decisions about your case, and protect your rights.