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What related crimes can I be charged with?
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Getting charged with a crime can be scary. Even if you think you’re only guilty of one thing, prosecutors can sometimes find ways to pile on extra charges. It’s good to understand what you might be facing so you can prepare your defense.
In this article, we’ll walk through some examples of related crimes you could end up charged with, even if you only did one discrete thing. We’ll also talk about potential defenses and penalties. My goal isn’t to scare you, but to educate you!
If You Committed Assault…
Assault covers a lot of ground legally. It can mean threatening violence, attempting battery, or completing battery. Battery is actually making physical contact to harm someone.
If you assaulted someone, prosecutors could charge you with:
- Battery – if you actually injured the victim
- Aggravated assault – if you used a weapon or caused serious harm
- Assault with a deadly weapon – self-explanatory
- Domestic violence – if the victim was a family member or partner
You might also face enhancements like “assault resulting in great bodily injury.” The alleged injuries really determine the charges and penalties you’ll face.
Defenses to assault charges require contesting one of the main legal elements, like self-defense, lack of intent, or mistaken identity. But once injury comes into play, these arguments get harder to make.
If You Possessed Illegal Drugs…
Simply having drugs in your possession can lead to multiple charges, including:
- Possession of a controlled substance
- Possession with intent to distribute or sell
- Transportation of controlled substances
- Possession of drug paraphernalia
- DUI if you were under the influence while driving
See the theme here? Prosecutors often stack charges to make something stick. The amount you possessed usually determines the felony level.
Defenses to drug crimes require attacking the “knowing” element. You can argue the drugs were planted, weren’t actually illegal substances, or you had no clue they were there. But once the drugs are definitively yours, these defenses fail.
If You Stole Something…
Theft comes in many forms, but common related charges include:
- Burglary – illegally entering a structure to steal
- Robbery – theft directly from another person by force
- Shoplifting/retail fraud – stealing store merchandise
- Larceny – basic theft of personal property
- Embezzlement – stealing from your employer
- Extortion – demanding payment by coercion
Prosecutors decide which charges to file based on where you stole from, what methods you used, and the value taken. That value also determines whether it’s a felony or misdemeanor.
Defending against theft requires contesting your role in the incident. Strategies like arguing you had permission, paid for items, or someone else did it may apply. Just know prosecutors use enhancements like racketeering once a pattern emerges.
If You Physically Hurt Someone…
Assault refers more to threats, while battery means making physical contact to injure someone. If you battered someone, common add-ons include:
- Aggravated battery – for severe injuries
- Felony battery – enhanced based on weapon, vulnerability of victim
- Domestic battery – against family or household member
- Child abuse – harming minor child
- Elder abuse – harming elderly or disabled person
See the pattern on enhancements? Injuries, weapons, relationship to the victim all raise penalties. And harming vulnerable groups brings separate charges.
Contesting battery charges requires arguing self-defense, lack of intent, or mistaken identity. But if injuries clearly resulted from your actions, expect uphill battles.
If You Drove Recklessly…
Regular traffic violations can turn into misdemeanors or felonies pretty quick. Common add-ons include:
- Reckless driving – for speeding 20+ mph over limit or causing an accident
- Hit and run – leaving the scene of an accident you caused
- Vehicular manslaughter – if someone died due to your driving
- DUI – driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs
Note the pattern again? The consequences of your driving really determine the charges. Damage property, injure someone, cause a death – that’s what brings the big charges.
Defending against driving crimes requires contesting your role. Strategies like arguing conditions caused the accident, you weren’t actually impaired, or someone else was driving may apply. But the evidence usually speaks for itself.
If You Resisted Arrest…
When police try to detain or arrest you, staying calm is key. Resisting even a little can lead to charges like:
- Resisting arrest without violence
- Resisting arrest with violence
- Obstruction – for refusing to comply with lawful commands
- Assaulting an officer – for threatening or harming police
Note how quickly offenses escalate? The penalties shoot up fast, especially for altercations involving officers.
Defending against these charges requires contesting the lawfulness of commands or use of force. But once things turn violent, justifying resistance gets extremely difficult.