Getting Sound Advice
Violent Crimes Cases And The Law
Hailey Ruiz
The most serious type of crime a person can be charged with is a violent crime. The law generally considers these offenses to be deserving of the most severe punishments. Anyone charged with a violent crime will obviously need expert legal assistance. This article takes a look at violent crimes cases and the law.
Definition
The law typically defines violent crimes as those that cause physical harm to another individual. For example, the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) divides violent crimes into four separate groups: murder, robbery, forcible rape, and aggravated assault. State laws concerning violent crime vary, however, so an offense that is considered a violent crime in one state might not be classified as such in another.
Some states put certain offenses into the violent crime category based on the vulnerability of the victim. For instance, many states have domestic abuse and child abuse laws to protect domestic partners and children against any type of violence or abuse. Although property crimes are not usually defined as violent crimes, arson is an exception to this rule because it's so destructive and dangerous.
Reasonable Doubt
Like all other crimes, the prosecution must prove a defendant's guilt "beyond a reasonable doubt" to obtain a guilty verdict. No exact legal definition of the beyond-a-reasonable-doubt standard exists, but courts generally have determined it means that a defendant's guilt is so clear that no reasonable person would believe that they are not guilty. It's important to note that the beyond-a-reasonable doubt concept does not mean that a juror must be 100 percent certain that a defendant being tried for a violent crime is guilty. Jurors only need to believe that anything other than a guilty verdict is not credible.
Defenses
Defendants in violent crimes cases have several possible defenses. First is the defense of complete innocence, i.e., the prosecution has mistakenly charged you with an offense when, in fact, you did not commit any violent act at all. Another possible defense is that law enforcement or the prosecutor's office violated your rights. For instance, if you were not advised of your right to remain silent or if the evidence against was obtained illegally, this could result in the charges being dismissed.
Self-defense is also a legitimate defense. When a person commits a violent crime to protect themselves or others from harm, the law often considers the violent act to be justified. A defendant might also argue that they were temporarily insane at the time they committed the violence.
If you are ever accused of a violent crime, consult a qualified attorney immediately.
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When I was younger, I had a hard time following the rules. I got in with a bad group of friends, and I found myself in juvenile detention more than a few times. When I was sixteen, a teacher sat me down and explained where my life was leading. That teacher was the first person that believed in me, and I decided not to let him down. That day, I decided to change my life, and I did. Because of his sound advice, I was able to finish high school, get into a great college, and become a criminal attorney. I understand the uphill battle that troubled youth face, and I want to use this website to teach other people what they need to do to turn things around.