Violent Crime Lawyer Houston, TX
If you or a loved one have been charged with a violent crime, contact an experienced Houston, TX violent crime lawyer at Keith B. French Law PLLC as soon as possible.
What is considered a violent crime?
The FBI’s Uniform Crime Reporting Program, otherwise known as UCR defines violent crime as one of four offenses.
Murder or Homicide
When an individual willfully ends another person’s life it is considered homicide. Homicide could however be a form of self-defense. Murder on the other hand is the deliberate death of a person by another person without legal justification. Both homicide and murder are non-negligent, meaning they are done with the intent of killing. If an individual accident ends another person’s life through reckless behavior or negligence, this would be considered manslaughter and is typically not classified as a violent crime.
Forcible Rape
What deems forcible rape a violent crime is the use of violence and or threats during sexual assault, and rape. Forcible rape differs from statutory rape in its use of force on the victim.
Robbery
Robbery is more serious than theft and therefore charged as a felony, and ranked as a violent crime.
Aggravated Assault
Is the intentional harming of another person, with a weapon. It is considered a felony, and violent crime according to the UCR.
After an arrest, what should those charged with violent crimes do?
As soon as an arrest takes place, the individual being charged should seek legal representation. If he or she does not want to find an attorney on their own, the state will provide a public criminal defense lawyer for them. Clients have legal rights from the moment they are charged with an offense. Knowing and understanding those rights are imperative for clients as well as their violent crime lawyers. For example, the arrested individual may choose not to answer questions, as they have a right to wait for their legal counsel.
What should clients expect for the criminal charges case?
Clients should be careful to have realistic expectations regarding the outcome of their case. If they have been charged with a violent crime, they may be looking at significant jail time, hefty fines, and a permanent criminal record. A Houston violent crime lawyer will work hard on behalf of their client to lessen their charges, but they can never guarantee a favorable outcome. There are many variables that go into a judge’s or jury’s ruling.
Those charged with alleged violent crimes are still to be considered innocent until proven guilty by a judge or jury. It is not a violent crime lawyer’s job to judge their client on whether they are innocent or guilty but to provide the best defense they can offer to their client. A client’s future may be altered depending on the success, experience, and ethics of their attorney. That is why having a skilled violent crime lawyer you can trust such as those at Keith B. French Law, PLLC is important. Contact a Houston violent crime lawyer today to discuss your specific criminal charges, and provide yourself with the best defense possible.
