What Is the Difference Between Violent and Non-Violent Crimes?

Whether you committed tax fraud or assaulted another person, you will face legal consequences for your actions. The severity of the penalty will depend on the nature of the crime, and whether you caused serious bodily harm to another person. While both non-violent and violent crimes can have serious legal consequences, violent crimes warrant severe punishments, including life in prison. An experienced criminal defense lawyer will review the charges that have been brought against you, ensure that your legal rights are protected and recommend the legal strategy that will result in the charges against you being reduced or dropped.

What Are Non-Violent Crimes?

Generally speaking, a crime is considered non-violent if there was no use of force or injury to another person. There are a wide range of crimes that fall under this category of crimes, including:

  • Alcohol and non-violent drug-related crimes
  • Bribery
  • Embezzlement
  • Gambling and racketeering
  • Insurance fraud
  • Larceny
  • Personal property arson
  • Prostitution
  • Tax crimes, fraud, and other white-collar crimes
  • Vandalism

What Are Violent Crimes?

Violent crimes involve the use of force and/or serious bodily injury to another person. All violent crimes come with serious penalties, including steep fines and significant jail time. Examples of violent crimes include the following:

  • Armed robbery
  • Assault and battery
  • Carjacking
  • Domestic violence
  • Homicides, including murder and manslaughter
  • Kidnapping
  • Sexual assault and abuse

What Are the Legal Penalties for Non-Violent Crimes?

In most cases, non-violent crimes are punishable by some type of fine or a short jail sentence, although the amount of the fine and the length of the jail sentence will depend on the type of crime that was committed and the circumstances surrounding the crime. Felony charges may include certain drug crimes, burglary, embezzlement, and larceny, whereas crimes like certain traffic offenses, petty theft and public intoxication are considered misdemeanors and will come with less severe consequences in accordance with the nature of the crime.

What Are the Penalties for Violent Crimes?

Most violent crime convictions come with a mandatory minimum prison sentence, which means that you will not be eligible for parole or early release, regardless of good behavior. In addition to the prison sentence, you will face additional penalties, including steep fines, restitution to the victims, probation, the loss of professional licenses, difficulty finding a job and restricted financial opportunities.

What Are Possible Defenses for Non-Violent and Violent Crimes?

Whether you have been charged with a non-violent crime, or a more serious violent crime, it is important that you have an experienced criminal defense lawyer on your side who can review the details of the case and recommend the most effective defense strategy. The following are examples of possible defenses:

  • Duress and/or necessity: This defense may be used if you can prove that you committed the crime under the threat of bodily injury or death.
  • Insanity: This defense if applicable if you were suffering from a severe mental illness when the crime was committed.
  • Intoxication: If you became intoxicated voluntarily, and you can prove that you committed the crime due to your diminished capacity, it is possible that the charges against you will be reduced. However, it is unlikely that they will be dropped, unless you were involuntarily intoxicated after being unknowingly drugged or forced to consume a significant amount of alcohol.
  • Self-defense: This defense may be used if you can prove that your actions were in response to a threat, and that you believed that you were in imminent danger.

Springfield Criminal Defense Lawyers at Kicklighter Law Represent Clients Facing Criminal Charges

If you have been charged with a crime, you are urged to contact the Springfield criminal defense lawyers at Kicklighter Law. Our dedicated legal team will thoroughly review the nature of the charges, including whether you have been charged with a violent or non-violent crime, and recommend the most effective defense strategy. Protecting your legal rights is our top priority. To schedule a confidential consultation, call us today at 912-754-6003 or contact us online. With our offices located in Springfield, Georgia, we proudly serve all clients of Springfield, Effingham County, Savannah, and surrounding areas.