Common examples of violent crime include:

• Murder
• Felony Murder
• Voluntary Manslaughter
• Assault with Intent to Murder
• Armed Robbery
• Assault with Intent to do Great Bodily Harm
• Kidnapping
• Domestic Violence
• Felonious Assault
• Assault & Battery
• Aggravated Assault
• Felony Firearm
• Arson

If you are being investigated or have been charged with one of the above crimes, then it is crucial that you seek the advice of an experienced violent crimes attorney as soon as possible.

Jail/Prison: A conviction for a violent crime can result in either jail or prison time, depending on the charges and circumstances alleged. A conviction for a domestic violence can result in up to 93 days in jail for a first offense, while a conviction for armed robbery can result in up to 15 years in prison. A conviction for murder can result in up to a life sentence without the possibility of parole. As you can see, a judge will have the full range of options in terms of sentence for violent crime convictions.

Probation: Probation is an alternative to jail, and sometimes an additional sentence that comes with a violent crime conviction. While on probation for a violent crime, an offender will have to follow strict guidelines and rules, such as staying alcohol or drug free. He or she will be assigned a probation agent who will monitor them and make sure they are in full compliance with the terms of their probation. Any violations of probation can result in lengthy jail or prison sentences.

Restitution: A judge can order an offender to pay the victim money for medical treatment, property loss and damage, as well as counseling and other related forms of restitution for a violent crime conviction.

Fines: Fines for a violent crime conviction can be as low as $500 for an assault & battery conviction but can also be much higher for more serious offenses. 

Other: A conviction for a violent crime can have other effects such as losing your job, being unable to secure a job because of your criminal record, and the possible suspension and loss of professional licenses you may have. You may also be required to attend anger management classes or other forms of treatment.

For a prosecutor to secure a conviction against someone for a violent crime, they have to prove a number of elements. Every violent crime has 4 basic elements:

1. presence
2. intent
3. actual or attempted contact of another, and 
4. the contact or attempted contact was unjustified. 

Your presence in a violent crime is essential. A prosecutor typically has to prove you were there when the crime occurred. Do you have an alibi? 

A defendant doesn’t have to prove his alibi, it is up to the Prosecutor to prove your presence at the scene of the crime in order for a jury to appropriately find you guilty of a violent crime. Simple physical contact or attempted physical contact is not enough for a conviction of a violent crime. A prosecutor must prove that whatever contact that is alleged to have been made was both intentional and violent in nature. This contact can be inferred as intentional and violent in many ways. Finally, a prosecutor must show that the alleged violent crime was not justified. Were you acting in self-defense?

If investigators violated your constitutional rights during the investigation, then you can bring those issues in front of a judge in the form of a motion to suppress to potentially have the evidence against you thrown out. A seasoned violent crimes attorney will look to these and other defenses specific to your case in building your defense if you are accused of illegal activity.

If you or someone you love is facing the possibility of being charged with a violent crime, it is natural to have a number of questions. Finding a website like this one can be a great resource, but it is not a substitute for the advice of an experienced criminal defense attorney. If you have more questions about violent crimes, then the attorneys at Zeineh Law are available to you.