Defining a Violent Crime

The definition of a violent crime is when an offender uses or threatens force on a victim. Violent crimes includes instances in which the violent act is the objective and where the violence is the means to an end. Violent crimes may include weapons or not and in different areas can include homicide and harassment. In the United States, rape or sexual assault, murder, robbery, aggravated assault and simple assault can all be classified as violent crimes.

Breakdown of Violent Crimes

Sexual Assault is one example of a violent crime. With rape being defined as knowledge to take a person forcibly and against their will in order to rape or attempt to sexually assault them. Statutory rape is excluded as it is done without force. In 2011, it was estimated that 52 out of 100,000 females are subjected to forcible rape with a total of 83,425 rapes reported in the same year.
The non-negligent manslaughter willfully committed by one human being of another is considered murder. The classification of a murder offense is based on a police investigation rather than a court, medical examiner, or jury. This is due to the fact that some murders are considered justifiable homicide such as the killing of a felon by a private citizen. In 2011, there were an estimated 14,612 murders committed. Which is a 0.7 decrease from the previous year.
Robbery, the taking of anything of value from the care, custody, or control of another individual is another example of a violent crime. This is because robberies can be conducted with or without a weapon. 354,396 robberies were committed nationwide in 2011 with an estimated $409 million in loss.
Aggravated and simple assault is the unlawful attack by one person by inflicting severe or aggravated bodily injury. It is usually done with a weapon or other means in which to conduct great bodily harm to another person. Weapons normally used are knives, guns, or a blunt object. In 2011, 751,131 aggravated assaults occurred in the United States.

Violent Crime Lawyer in Boston

To be charged with a violent crime means that one will face serious legal charges. At Novick & Associates, we provide attorneys who are well-versed in violent crime laws to aid you during your case. If you have any questions or concerns about your case, we can answer them. For a consultation, contact us at (617)745-0445.