Murder, armed robbery, shootings, assault, or kidnapping. These are just a few examples of violent crimes that can upend the lives of everyone involved, and they are frequently prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law.
If you have been accused of a violent crime, you may be facing severe consequences, including mandatory prison time, employment restrictions, and more.
If you’ve been charged with a violent crime, seek legal help immediately. Time is of the essence, but that is not all—it is vital to secure effective counsel that understands the law, courts, and legal processes.
Violent crime charges can impact your entire future, but with knowledgeable attorneys on your side, you can fight to protect your rights and your future, even during this difficult time. Dughi, Hewit, & Domalewski’s team of legal professionals bring decades of experience to the table and are equipped to craft a vigorous legal defense with your best interests in mind.
Contact us today to schedule your consultation.
What Are Violent Crimes?
A violent crime is any illegal act in which the perpetrator harms (or threatens to harm) another person. These crimes are serious—and the New Jersey justice system handles them accordingly. Most violent crimes are classified as indictable offenses, meaning that these cases are subject to review by a grand jury.
Any crime could be considered violent if the person committing it intimidates or hurts another person in the process. These may include, but are not limited to:
- Homicide
- Assault
- Robbery
- Sexual assault
- Kidnapping
- Arson
- Domestic violence
- Hate crimes
- Human trafficking
- Carjacking
- Terrorism
In some cases, a violent crime charge may be combined with other charges in what is known as criminal charge stacking, such as a weapons offense.
Criminal charge stacking can make navigating a criminal case difficult, as each charge may have its own mandatory prison time. It is imperative to have a knowledgeable attorney who can effectively negotiate on your behalf while building the best defense possible for your situation. Your attorney can discuss with you whether any defenses may be available, such as misidentification, justification, or self-defense.
Legal Consequences: Sentencing, Probation, Rehabilitation, and More
Individuals accused of committing a violent crime in New Jersey face lengthy prison sentences, hefty fines, restraining orders, electronic monitoring, and other harsh penalties.
Sentencing
The state has established mandatory minimum sentences for many violent crimes, which raises the stakes—and stress—of litigation. Note that a judge may decide to impose a longer sentence, depending on the specific circumstances of the crime.
Sentencing for violent crimes without mandatory minimum sentences often depends on the severity of the act. Penalties may be worse if:
- The victim suffered serious injury or death
- Weapons were involved
- The defendant has a prior criminal history
A knowledgeable criminal defense attorney will usually explore all possible ways to avoid a conviction or, if that is not possible, to minimize the consequences of a conviction, but timing is critical.
Getting legal help is your first step in an effective defense. If you have been involved in a violent crime, schedule your consultation with Dughi, Hewit & Domalewski right away.
Probation and parole
Probation is a sentencing option that allows offenders to avoid jail time, while parole is a form of early release from prison.
Probation is sometimes offered for disorderly persons offenses, like simple assault. But for violent crimes that are considered indictable crimes, probation may be very difficult to obtain.
Under New Jersey’s No Early Release Act (NERA), a person must serve at least 85% of the prison sentence imposed by the court if convicted of certain indictable crimes, including:
- Aggravated arson
- Aggravated assault
- Carjacking
- Disarming a law enforcement officer
- Kidnapping
- Manslaughter
- Murder
- Robbery
- Sexual assault
- Terrorism
- Vehicular homicide
A person convicted of a crime involving firearms may be required to serve the entire mandatory minimum sentence or one-third of the imposed sentence if there is no minimum.
Aside from these laws, other factors may also affect a person’s parole eligibility, such as:
- Severity of the crime
- Criminal history
- Behavior in prison
Contact us today to schedule your consultation.
Protect Your Future with an Experienced Criminal Defense Attorney on Your Side
If you have been involved in a violent crime, figuring out what to do next can feel overwhelming. You may be worrying about going to prison, what will happen to your family, or if you’ll be able to secure employment in the future.
You do not have to take on the legal system alone.
At Dughi, Hewit & Domalewski, we work with our clients to help them understand their options and apply the right legal strategies to advance their goals, whether it’s securing a fair plea deal or taking the charges to court based on a misidentification or an available defense. We diligently fight for your rights, both in and out of court, with the aim of helping you achieve the best outcome possible.
Schedule your consultation with our team today to begin building your case.
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