By Nathaniel Pitoniak on May 2nd, 2025 in Criminal Defense
A violent crime isn’t always as clear-cut as it seems, and if you ever find yourself charged with this offense, knowing a bit about it matters. Here’s a basic rundown of what violent crimes involve and how they’re defined.
Why It Helps to Talk to an Experienced Violent Crimes Defense Lawyer
When facing a charge related to violence, it usually pays off to have a lawyer who truly understands these matters. Generally speaking, a skilled criminal defense attorney will watch over your rights and consider the many little details of your situation, often steering you toward a better outcome.
Legal Definitions for Violent Crimes
Different places set their standards for what makes an act “violent.” In most cases, these offenses hinge on using force or even just the threat of it—often resulting in harm, injury, or worse. Courts tend to look at the injuries, intent, and the way the suspect disregarded the victim’s safety and peace of mind.
Assault
Assault is probably one of the everyday examples of a violent crime. People usually divide it into two levels – sometimes it’s a case of simple assault, while other times it might step up to aggravated assault. A simple assault might just mean a minor injury or an empty threat. In contrast, aggravated assault is when things get dire with notable injuries or when a dangerous weapon comes into play.
Simple Assault. Simple assault, in plain terms, is when someone makes unwanted physical contact with another party – either on purpose or knowing full well it’s wrong. It can also cover the situation where a person intentionally or knowingly issues a threat that immediate harm is about to happen.
Aggravated Assault. Aggravated assault, however, is taken much further. It’s not just about an unwanted touch – it involves hurting someone severely or using a lethal object in the process. When the injury is so severe that it can lead to death–causing lasting scars or interfering with how a body works–the charge is much heavier.
Robbery
Robbery is another major violent crime. It’s about snatching property from someone using force or the threat of force. The tense standoff and the clear risk of injury to the victim places this offense squarely in the violent category.
Aggravated Robbery. Things jump a notch with aggravated robbery. This happens when the act involves not only a forceful grab but also inflicts serious injury or when a deadly weapon is brandished during the encounter. Sometimes, if the victim is particularly vulnerable—say, an elderly or disabled person—the case is seen as even more severe.
Homicide
Homicide is essentially when one person ends another’s life. There are a few different types of this offense, including murder, manslaughter, and cases stemming from criminal negligence – each carrying its weight in terms of intent and responsibility.
Murder. Murder deals squarely with the deliberate act of killing someone. It’s viewed as the gravest form of homicide, carrying along the harshest penalties. Often, legally, a murder charge is split into first-degree or second-degree, depending on the situation and the specifics of the case.
Manslaughter. Manslaughter, on the other hand, typically happens when someone’s death results from reckless behavior rather than a cold, calculated plan. This offense is seen as involving less intent than murder. Usually, it’s sorted into either voluntary manslaughter—often sparked by a moment of intense emotion—or involuntary manslaughter, resulting in criminal negligence.
Criminally Negligent Homicide. Criminally negligent homicide happens when a person’s sheer disregard for obvious risks ends in someone’s death. In these cases, the fatal outcome isn’t pre-planned but occurs because the offender disregarded the risk. Examples of this crime include leaving a child in a hot car and they die from the heat or drunk driving, ending in a fatality.
Sexual Assault
Sexual assault covers any unwanted sexual contact where the other party hasn’t given their consent. Whether it’s unwelcome touching or the much more serious act of rape, any behavior done without the other’s clear “yes” falls under this violent crime.
Aggravated Sexual Assault. Aggravated sexual assault pushes the boundaries even further. Generally speaking, this happens when the contact is accompanied by severe bodily injury, involves a deadly weapon, or targets someone especially vulnerable, like a child, an older person, or a disabled individual.
Kidnapping
Finally, kidnapping is all about forcibly taking and detaining someone against their will. Its violent character comes from using, or even hinting at, physical force to control and move the person—making it a serious matter in the world of violent crimes. Aggravated kidnapping comes into play when the victim ends up seriously injured when a dangerous weapon is used or even just shown off during the act.
Factors Influencing the Classification for a Violent Crime
How we label a violent crime depends on various factors. There’s the level of harm done, what the offender intended, whether weapons were used, and just how defenseless the victim turned out to be. Each element is considered to determine punishments and penalties.
Severity of Harm
How badly someone is hurt is significant in violent crimes. Generally speaking, if the crime results in serious bodily injury or even death, it gets slotted into the more severe category, as opposed to cases where the injuries are only minor.
Intent of the Perpetrator
The attacker’s mindset also plays a substantial role. If the act was planned to kill or seriously injure, the punishments are naturally harsher. In this case, authorities usually treat it as far more serious than an incident stemming from careless or reckless behavior.
Use of Weapons
Using a weapon during a violent crime can change everything. When deadly arms are involved—whether used or simply brandished—it often pushes the charge to an aggravated level, meaning the penalties will be much harsher.
Legal Consequences
Violent crimes come with heavy legal repercussions. Depending on what happened, an offender might face long stints of imprisonment, hefty fines, or even probation. The crime’s severity usually establishes the exact punishment based on the harm inflicted or the offender’s record.
Imprisonment
Locking someone up is a common outcome, and the time can vary. In cases like murder or aggravated assault, sentences can be very long—even leading to life behind bars in many instances.
Fines
Money penalties are also involved. The amount charged can differ depending on the severity of the offense and sometimes on how much the offender can afford. Often, fines come with jail time or probation as part of the sentence.
Probation
Courts might decide on probation in addition to or instead of imprisonment. This means the offender is put under community supervision with certain conditions, such as regular check-ins with a probation officer, occasional drug tests, or even required counseling or treatment sessions.
Speak with a Violent Crimes Defense Lawyer
If you’ve been charged with a violent crime, you need a solid legal defense. Now is the time to get the assistance you need. Contact a criminal defense attorney for violent crimes now.
