Like most people, you are probably familiar with some criminal laws within the United States. But if you find yourself in a position where you face accusations of committing a violent crime, you might have questions about what led to your situation, when your legal process will be over and how a court will determine your consequences.
You might define violent crimes as those in which you take another person’s life or use an illegal weapon. And while this may be true, in the eyes of the law, violence can encompass more than you may think.
How the FBI defines violent crime
The Bureau’s Uniform Crime Reporting (UCR) Program describes violent crimes as actions that either involve force or the threat of force. These offenses include:
- Aggravated assault
- Robbery
- Forcible rape
- Murder and nonnegligent manslaughter
Violent crimes within a community often have far-reaching effects. And although everyone is ultimately responsible for their actions, you might not be aware of the environmental factors which may have increased the possibility, or perception, of your involvement in illegal activities.
Three ways a community can increase criminal activity
That some neighborhoods experience higher crime rates than others is no surprise. Studies suggest that some people are at a higher risk of violent, illegal activity than others.
The following could factor into your involvement with violent acts of crime:
- Growing up in an underprivileged household
- Being an ethnic or racial minority
- Living in a neighborhood with a high crime rate when you are between the ages of 12 and 17
These pieces of information could be critical if you face accusations that jeopardize your reputation, safety and freedom. They may also help you build a case based on societal structure if an alleged victim or their family tries to hold you accountable for your presumed actions.
Many stressful situations leave people curious about what happened or how they became a subject of interest in an investigation. If you wonder why you face accusations of a violent crime, working with a team of experts might be your first step toward finding answers to your underlying questions and reaching favorable results.
