Experienced And Knowledgeable Legal Representation

  1. Home
  2.  » 
  3. Violent Crimes
  4.  » What are considered violent crimes?

What are considered violent crimes?

On Behalf of | Jul 13, 2018 | Violent Crimes

Almost any crime in New York can be looked at as violent in some way. Even if it didn’t physically harm you, if you are crime victim, it can leave you feeling violated and unsafe. However, there are only specific offenses that are actually classified as violent crimes for legal purposes, as explained by the FBI. These crimes are the most offensive and those that cause severe physical harm to victims. Once you see what they are, it is easier to see why they are considered violent.

There are four specific crimes that fall under this category. They are forcible rape, robbery, murder and nonnegligent manslaughter and aggravated assault. Each of these crimes incorporates force or a threat of violence in their commission. They are categorized as such under the FBI’s Uniform Crime Reporting Program.

Obviously, the most severe violent crime is murder. This is followed by rape and robbery. The least severe of these crimes is aggravated assault. However, aggravated assaults are the most reported of all these crimes with murder only comprising 1.2 percent of the violent crimes reported in 2011. While these crimes are ranked based on severity, it does not mean any of them are treated lightly by the courts. These are the worst crimes that can be committed because of the impact they have on victims and the people close to the victim.

When thinking about crime, the legal definitions do not always match up with what you may think about the crimes. However, legal definitions play an important role in how a suspect is treated during the court process. It also affects sentencing. This information is for education and is not legal advice.