A criminal charge could affect your life for years to come. That record will be difficult to overcome, and it can take both time and money to deal with the penalties. However, you’ve not simply been accused of a crime. You’ve been charged with a violent crime.
Now, you might be worried about how much more these offenses can damage your future, so don’t risk it. Your criminal defense lawyer may be able to help you get those charges dropped. At Talley, Turner, Stice & Bertman, we want to help you get your violent crime charges reduced or dropped if at all possible.
First, what differentiates a violent crime from any other criminal offense? The answer isn’t always whether people are injured or killed because of the offense.
Instead, Oklahoma has a list of violent crimes, which covers several felony crimes. These offenses have stricter penalties, which means they can affect you more. These crimes may be more serious or severe because of the violence involved, but not all violent crimes are included. For example, domestic assault is violent, but because it’s a misdemeanor, it’s not considered among these violent crimes.
If you see the charges you’re facing on the following list, reach out to an Oklahoma City attorney for help defending yourself against violent crime charges:
If you’re accused of a violent crime, you’re not just facing the prison time and fines that you might expect. Violent crimes are treated differently, which means they might linger on your record and affect you for years to come.
For example, a violent crime conviction could affect your parole. Rather than being granted parole by the parole board, you’ll need to seek out approval from the governor. That means you might have to serve your full sentence, no matter your behavior.
Your chances for expungement, or having your criminal record sealed away from the public record, may be completely lost. You could be unable to hide the offenses on your record if you’re convicted, which could affect your options for housing, employment and family law issues.
Being charged with a violent crime in Oklahoma can be a life-changing event, and how you respond in the immediate aftermath can have an impact on your case.
The first and most important step is to remain calm and avoid making any statements to law enforcement without an attorney present. Anything you say can be used against you, so exercising your right to remain silent is crucial.
Next, secure legal representation as soon as possible. A skilled criminal defense attorney will develop a strategy to defend against the charges.
Gather evidence and document any relevant information. If possible, note the details of the incident, collect witness statements and preserve any physical or digital evidence that may support your defense.
A violent crime charge in Oklahoma City can sometimes be reduced or even dismissed under certain circumstances. The feasibility of this outcome depends on factors such as the severity of the crime, the available evidence and the defendant’s prior criminal record.
A charge may be reduced if the prosecution lacks strong evidence or if mitigating circumstances exist. For example, an aggravated assault charge could be negotiated down to a simple assault if there is no proof of a deadly weapon being used.
Dismissals often occur when a defense attorney successfully challenges the legality of the arrest, such as in cases involving unlawful search and seizure, lack of probable cause or procedural violations.
The classification of violent crimes in Oklahoma depends on the severity of the offense and the circumstances surrounding it.
Misdemeanor violent crimes include less severe offenses such as:
These offenses usually carry penalties such as fines, probation or up to one year in county jail. On the other hand, felony violent crimes are more serious offenses, like:
Felony charges result in lengthier prison time, hefty fines and long-term consequences, such as loss of firearm rights and difficulties in securing employment or housing after conviction.
Some offenses may be charged as either a misdemeanor or a felony, depending on factors such as whether a weapon was used, the extent of injury to the victim and the defendant’s criminal history.
Violent crime cases tend to be more serious, which can leave you struggling and fearful for your future. However, you don’t have to deal with your charges alone. Instead, you can seek out the help of an Oklahoma City violent crime lawyer from Talley, Turner, Stice & Bertman for your case.
When you’re ready to fight back against your criminal charges, we’re ready to give you the guidance and aggressive defense you need. We want you to have a better chance at a bright future, not a future of prison time.
When you’re ready to begin, call us at 405-364-8300 for a consultation about your case. If that doesn’t work for you, get in touch with us by filling out our online contact form.
