Assault on a Police Officer – Multiple Counts

A young, mentally ill woman was charged with multiple counts of assault on a police officer. A mother placed a 9-1-1 call for emergency services after discovering her daughter in the middle of a suicide attempt. The girl attempted to kill herself by inflicting knife wounds to her wrists. Fire, rescue and police personnel arrived on scene. They discovered the young woman in the bathroom bleeding profusely from one of her wrists. As they emergency personnel attempted to render medical care, the woman resisted. She directed profanities and vulgarities to those on scene. She also punched and kicked two paramedics. The police went to restrain and place her in custody, but here initially unsuccessful. She shouted profanities and fought them off. More police came on scene for a total of four (4) officers.

The woman resisted all of them with punches and kicks, which caused physical injury to some. The police eventually subdued the woman so that emergency personnel could provide her with needed medical treatment. Once stabilized, the woman continued to struggle, call out vulgarities and threatened suicide. After she was brought to and treated at the hospital, the police charged her with multiple felony counts of Assault on a Police Officer.

The girl’s friend retained Attorney John L. Calcagni III to defend her case. Attorney Calcagni initially focused his efforts on obtaining the woman’s medical and mental health treatment records. He also aided the girl with placement in counseling. She apparently had a mental health and suicidal history for which Calcagni wanted to ensure she received adequate treatment. Once in Court, after several pretrial conferences, Attorney Calcagni persuaded the police and prosecutors to resolve this case in a manner that did not have lasting adverse consequences for the girl. Her actions were the product of mental illness, not a criminal intent. The parties ultimately agreed to resolve this matter with pretrial probation.