Violent crimes are arguably the most severely prosecuted offenses in the world of law. If a person has been accused of hurting someone else, it is very difficult for the defendant to prove their innocence and avoid consequences. These crimes are serious, and prosecutors strive to do whatever they can to punish offenders and prevent future incidents. As such, any accusations of committing a violent crime should not be disregarded — you must obtain legal representation as soon as possible.

Will Fraley, Attorney at Law is here to provide the strong defense you need. We are prepared to get started on your case. Please reach out to us today to discuss your needs.

Contact us online or call to schedule a free consultation.

Types of Violent Crimes

Any incident in which a person harms another person, or threatens to harm another person, can be classified as a violent crime.

You should get in touch with a legal professional as soon as possible if you have been accused of committing:

• Murder or attempted murder: This is when a person kills or attempts to kill another person and has planned the crime in advance.
• Manslaughter: Manslaughter is differentiated from murder because planning the crime is not a factor. For example, a person can be charged with vehicular manslaughter if they have accidently killed someone in a car accident.
• Assault and battery: While assault and battery are often grouped together, they are actually two separate crimes. The plan or attempt to harm someone is assault and committing the act of violence is battery.
• Violent sexual offenses: Rape and other sex crimes are often considered as violent offenses.

Consequences for Violent Crimes

The penalties for violent crimes will depend on the type of offense, as well as the severity of the offense. In general, regardless of the type of crime, the consequences for committing violent offenses are serious. Potential penalties may include time (even life) in prison, significant fines, years of probation, house arrest, and several hours of community service. The state of Tennessee practices capital punishment, so it is possible to face the death penalty in homicide cases.

Penalties can also be more serious if aggravating factors are involved. Essentially, an aggravating factor is any element of a crime that makes the offense seemingly worse than a typical case, and therefore warrants more severe punishment.

Aggravating factors may include:

• The defendant’s criminal record, especially if they have been charged with a violent crime in the past
• If extreme violence was involved (e.g. torture)
• The victim’s age
• The involvement of other crimes
• Multiple victims

Hiring an Attorney is Essential

Because the penalties for violent crimes are often so serious, the representation of a skilled lawyer is crucial. It can be difficult to prove innocence in cases of violent crime and doing so takes the careful evaluation of a professional. Violent crime cases can also be rampant with misconduct, as it is not uncommon for people to assume a person is guilty just because they have been accused of committing a violent offense. At Will Fraley, Attorney at Law, we are dedicated to protecting your rights.