Morgantown Violent Crime Lawyer

Morgantown Violent Crime Attorney

While the accusation of any criminal offense can be difficult to navigate, a charge involving violent crimes can bring with it frustration and fear, leaving you feeling isolated. Violent crime charges carry the potential for significant penalties that extend beyond prison time and fees. However, with the help of a Morgantown violent crime lawyer, you can face these challenges and receive the defense you deserve.

At Meadows Law PLLC, our team works hard to give our clients a defense that is as unique as the circumstances. We do not believe in a standardized approach to criminal defense, and our attorney can ensure that our clients’ rights are protected. With our knowledge and experience, our team works hard to reach an acquittal, have your case dismissed, or get your charges reduced. No matter your needs, we can be by your side throughout your case.

Types of Violent Crimes

A multitude of crimes are deemed violent by the law. These types of crimes include a threat or use of physical force against a person or property. Violent offenses are particularly heinous and are often prosecuted with less leniency than other crimes. Offenses that are classified as violent include:

• Murder. With a multitude of levels at which these crimes can be charged, murder means that you intentionally or negligently took the life of another individual. Because not every instance is intentional, it is important that your attorney thoroughly review your case. A conviction of the wrong charge could cost you significantly.
• Manslaughter. While still implying responsibility for the end of another’s life, manslaughter charges indicate that there was no malicious intent to cause death to another. However, the act could have arisen out of what is known as a crime of passion, such as a heated argument with a spouse. It may also be the result of negligent behavior.
• Domestic violence. Domestic violence occurs between family members or individuals who share the same home. Criminal acts against these individuals could include physical or verbal threats that are intended to create fear, committing acts of sexual assault or abuse against them, and even carelessly or intentionally causing harm to them.
• Kidnapping. Despite the name, this type of violent crime does not just occur with children. Kidnapping is considered to be any criminal action in which one person abducts or holds captive another individual. In some cases of kidnapping, additional charges could be applied if there is evidence of violence, such as bodily injury or sexual assault.
• Sexual assault. Sexual assault includes a variety of sexual offenses, such as attempted rape, unwanted touching, forcing another individual to perform sexual acts, or forceful penetration of another individual’s body, more commonly referred to as rape. There are a number of mitigating circumstances that could change the types of charges, including the age of the victim, the relationship between the perpetrator and the victim, or the involvement of others in the crime.

These are just a few of the types of crimes that could be classified as violent. While there are others, it is important to speak with a criminal defense attorney about the circumstances of your charges. They can help you understand the types of penalties you could be facing based on the specific charges against you.

Penalties for Violent Crimes

Depending on the type of crime committed and the way the offense is charged, there are a number of penalties that you could face if you are convicted of a violent crime. These types of offenses are often met with the most severe penalties. The most serious crimes could mean a lifetime of imprisonment and thousands of dollars in fines. These sentences, however, are not the only challenges you could face under a conviction.

If you are sentenced with the opportunity to leave prison, your criminal record will follow you and prevent you from participating in certain opportunities. You could face difficulties in finding housing, searching for employment, or even pursuing higher education opportunities. If you are married and you later divorce in the face of a conviction, you could lose custody rights to your children, even after you are released.

FAQs

Q: What Is Considered a Violent Crime in WV?

A: A violent crime in West Virginia is any crime in which a person willfully injures, intimidates, threatens, or otherwise instills fear of harm against another person’s physical person or property. These types of offenses can manifest themselves in a multitude of ways, including through both intentional and unintentional acts. The circumstances of the crime will have a role in how the offense is charged.

Q: What Is the Most Common Crime in West Virginia?

A: According to government reports, the most common violent crime in West Virginia is aggravated assault. While the number of violent crimes has overall decreased, certain specific crimes may be more or less prevalent. Some violent crimes have declined, such as rape and murder, but robberies and assaults showed an upward trend that made up for these declines.

Q: What Is the Trend in Violent Crime Rates in West Virginia?

A: The trend in violent crimes in West Virginia continues to decline. With the majority of residents feeling safe in their homes, violent crime rates have decreased from approximately 3.6 per 1000 to 3.1. This trend places West Virginia in one of the lowest per capita violent crime categories. While rates may fluctuate from year to year, this is an overall positive trend for the state of West Virginia.

Q: What Are the Four Types of Violent Crime?

A: The four types of violent crimes include murder and manslaughter, forcible rape, robbery, and aggravated assault. These crimes are tracked and categorized by the nature of the force or threat of force used in the commission of the acts. While these are the four main categories, there are other charges that could be further classified as a violent crime, depending on the specifics of the offense.

Morgantown Violent Crime Lawyer

No matter what type of criminal charge you are facing, you deserve a defense that works on your behalf. At Meadows Law PLLC, our team is ready to go to work for you. Whether you need help defending against a criminal charge, have questions about expunging a criminal charge from your record, or need legal assistance to navigate the charges against you, our team is ready to help. Contact us today and get the aid you deserve.