If you have recently been charged with a violent crime, then you should absolutely seek out the assistance of an attorney, even if you are innocent of the offense. Before you do this, you should understand a few facts about violent crimes. Keep reading to understand a few things that you should know.

Violent Crimes Are More Serious

A violent crime is a specific designation or category of crime that is very different than a non-violent one. Most crimes can be violent ones, and this includes both misdemeanor and felony ones. The violence label is given if the crime was committed with any act of violence or with any threat of violence. For example, you may be charged with misdemeanor trespassing if you enter a private property illegally. If an individual passing by saw you trespass and you threatened to hurt the person if they informed authorities about the incident, then this would be a violent case of trespassing.

Some misdemeanors are also classified as criminal offenses, but these are different than violent ones. For example, you may be charged with criminal trespassing. This may be something that happens if you intend on stealing or destroying property while on the premises. This may involve a violent act towards the property itself, but this does not turn the matter into a violent one. Violent crimes are ones that involve people and the violence towards them. 

This means that a crime can both be considered a criminal and violent one. Both the violent and criminal designations indicate that a more serious crime has been committed. 

They May Involve Greater Repercussions

Violent crimes almost always elevate the repercussions of the incident if you are found guilty. The level of violence will often be taken into consideration as well. For example, if you physically injured an individual, then jail time may be more likely than if you simply verbally threatened someone. If you used a weapon, then your sentence will also be more severe. If you had a weapon and used it as a threat, then this may be seen as an intent to cause harm and is also serious in most cases.

Verbal threats can lead to lighter sentences. However, the threat itself may lead to hefty fines and probation. For example, if your threat was extremely violent or if you threatened a child, then these things can be legally damning. This is also true if you threatened a police officer, teacher, or another individual in a position of authority. 

For additional information, contact a violent crimes attorney at a law firm such as Villarini & Henry LLP.