What is Violent Crime?

The use of a violent crime lawyer is critical for anyone facing a violent crime charges. Be sure to contact a qualified violent crime lawyer to examine your case and determine the best way to protect your legal rights.

The definition of violent crimes is a behavior by a person or persons, against another person or persons or property that has the intent to threaten, attempt, or inflict physical harm. The seriousness of the violent crime is determined by the severity of the injuries the victim obtained, if weapons were used, and if the alleged perpetrator has a past criminal record.

Frequently, violent crimes are motivated by pure hatred and complete disregard for another human being. This may also play a factor in how the judge or jury views the severity of the crime. Violent crime attorneys most commonly handle the following violent crimes: aggravated assault, arson, assault and battery, domestic violence, homicide, hate crimes, terrorism, and robbery.

The most serious of the violent crimes is homicide. Homicide is a crime that results in the death of another person(s). A violent crime lawyer is highly recommended in cases of homicide, especially since the classification for homicide can be complex with the different degrees of murder, manslaughter, involuntary manslaughter, etc.

Murder and manslaughter are the two more serious homicide charges due to the intent to kill, leading to longer prison time and even death. Involuntary manslaughter, which doe not show the intent to kill or could even be a result of negligence, also receive a prison sentence though not as long as the sentence for murder or manslaughter.

Violent crime attorneys work with a variety of violent offenses that involve the threat or use of violence. To simplify the broad spectrum of violent offenses that are committed, The United States Department of Justice splits violent crimes into five categories: murder, rape or other sexual assault, robbery, aggravated assault, and simple assault.

A violent crime lawyer works with both objective violent crimes, and violent crimes that occurred to end a situation. An objective violent crime would be murder or manslaughter, whereas a robbery may end with violence in an effort to end the situation.

Violent crime attorneys can attest to assault being the most common violent crime committed in the United States. By definition, assault is the intentional threat or use of violence or force against another person. It is important to point out that actual physical contact; just the threat of violence constitutes assault. Due to the varying severity of the offenses categorized as assault, the sentencing varies as well. Charges can range from simple assault to aggravated assault, resulting in the sentencing ranging from a misdemeanor to a felony.

Sexual assault is a violent crime defined as any non-consensual sexual act against another person. Rape is the most thought of form of sexual assault, which is defined as forcible or non-consensual sexual intercourse with another person. Typically victims of sexual assault do not encounter a weapon during the attack.

More than fifty percent of the time, perpetrators of the robbery carry a weapon. Making victims of a robbery to be more likely to face an armed person. By carrying a weapon during the offense, the actor is more likely to receive a harsher sentence from a judge or jury.

When an offender is charged with a felony due to a violent crime, they can face prison time, fines, probation, community service, and/or other penalties. When facing a capital offense, the offender may even face receiving the death penalty. In all cases, the offender has the right to legal defense.