Violent Crimes

What is a violent crime?

A violent crime is a crime in which an individual uses or threatens force upon a victim.  If you are charged with a violent crime, you could be facing years in prison.  If that is the case, you need to contact a knowledgeable Columbus defense attorney.  Wolfe Legal Services offers free consultation to individuals charged with violent crimes.

There are many types of violent crimes. Some types of violent crimes include the following:

• Murder
• Sexual Assault
• Robbery
• Assault
• Manslaughter

Defenses for Violent Crimes in Columbus, Ohio

If you are charged with a violent crime, there are defenses your criminal defense attorney can raise that can reduce your charges or even result in a dismissal of the charges against you.  It is important to discuss the facts of your violent crime case and options with your criminal defense attorney.   This will allow your lawyer to know if any of the defenses below can help you fight your case.

• Lack of knowledge or information: For many violent crime charges, knowingly causing injury is a factor in determining guilt. If your lawyer can successfully argue that you lacked required knowledge when committing the offense, the charges could be dismissed or lessened.
• Self-defense: Your lawyer can use the self-defense if there is reason to believe you had to use deadly force against a person who first used force against you. In this circumstance your attorney would need successfully argue the person’s activities was about to cause death or serious harm to you.  In addition, the self-defense argument can sometimes be raised if you used non-deadly force after another person’s use of force against you.
• Defense of others: Similar to the self-defense above, your Columbus criminal defense attorney can raise the defense that you were trying to prevent harm to a third party when applicable.  For this defense, deadly force can be used if death or serious injury was impending for the third party.
• Defense of property: If a person broke into your home, or occupied vehicle, this defense can be raised by your attorney.

The list above was not an all-inclusive list of defenses for violent crimes.  Contact your attorney about your legal defense options for your violent crime case.

Violent Crime Classifications in Columbus, Ohio

Violent crime convictions can result in jail time and fines.  In Columbus, Ohio, a violent crime can be classified as a misdemeanor or felony.  Specifically, a violent crime can fall into one of the following classifications:

• Misdemeanor of the First Degree
• Felony of the Fifth Degree
• Felony of the Fourth Degree
• Felony of the Third Degree
• Felony of the Second Degree
• Felony of the First Degree
• Unclassified Felonies

Unclassified felonies are the most serious type of felonies in Ohio. Unclassified felonies do not fall into a traditional category. Unclassified felonies include two types of violent crimes: murder and aggregated murder.  The penalties range from 15 years in prison to death by execution.  You can learn more about the punishments for misdemeanor crimes on our misdemeanor violent crimes penalty page.  You can learn more about the punishments for felony crimes on our felony violent crimes penalty page.

Contact a criminal defense attorney about your violent crime case

If you are charged with a violent crime, the best thing to do is talk to a criminal defense attorney immediately. Wolfe Legal Services offers free consultations for people who facing charges related to a violent crime. Contact us today.