Violent Crimes and Charges – A Human Perspective

Violent crimes are among the most serious criminal offenses. They involve physical harm or the threat of violence against another person. I want to provide an overview of common violent crimes, typical charges, and potential penalties – but also discuss the human impact and ethical issues involved. My goal is to present a balanced perspective.

What Are Considered Violent Crimes?

Violent crimes include offenses like murder, manslaughter, assault, battery, rape, robbery, and kidnapping[1][4][5]. Anything involving physical injury or threat of injury to another person can potentially be charged as a violent crime. Even if no one is actually harmed, threats or attempts at violence may lead to criminal charges[4].

Some key violent crimes include:

• Murder – killing someone intentionally and with malice. This includes 1st and 2nd degree murder charges.
• Manslaughter – killing someone through reckless actions like drunk driving. There’s voluntary manslaughter (heat of passion) and involuntary manslaughter (negligence).
• Assault – threatening violence or attempting to commit violence against someone. No actual physical harm is required.
• Battery – physically attacking or harming someone, such as punching or kicking them. Any offensive touching can be charged as battery.
• Rape – forced sexual intercourse against someone’s consent. This includes date rape and marital rape.
• Robbery – taking property by force or threat of force. Armed robbery involves use of a deadly weapon.
• Kidnapping – confining or moving someone against their will. This includes hostage situations.
• Domestic Violence – violence between family or household members. This includes physical, emotional, or sexual abuse.

The law takes violent crimes very seriously, considering them much more severe than non-violent property or financial crimes[5]. Violent offenses are almost always charged as felonies rather than misdemeanors.

How Are Violent Crimes Charged and Penalized?

When violent crimes are charged, the penalties depend on factors like state law, circumstances of the case, criminal history, and more. But overall, violent felonies bring some of the harshest punishments available[5].

Common penalties for violent crimes include:

• Prison time – Violent felonies often result in years or even decades behind bars. Some states have “three strikes” laws mandating long sentences for repeat offenders. Life sentences are possible for major violent crimes.
• Fines – Monetary fines are common in addition to incarceration. These can be tens of thousands of dollars depending on the offense. Fines help fund courts and victim assistance programs.
• Probation – Judges may order probation following release, requiring regular check-ins with an officer. Terms often include counseling, drug testing, community service, etc.
• Restitution – Those convicted may have to pay victims for medical bills, lost wages, therapy, and other costs. This helps make the victim “whole” again.
• Capital Punishment – The death penalty is permitted for murder in some states. It remains controversial, but has declined significantly in use over past decades.

The Human Impact of Violent Crime

Behind the legal charges and statistics, violent crime has severe human costs. The trauma of being victimized can last a lifetime. Homicide robs individuals of decades of life. Surviving victims like rape and assault victims may live with permanent physical and emotional scars.

Consider:

• A young father killed in a random mugging, leaving behind grieving children.
• A college student raped by a classmate, dropping out of school and suffering depression.
• A child witnessing domestic violence between parents, later developing anxiety issues.
• A convenience store clerk shot during an armed robbery, now disabled and unable to work.

The ripple effect on families, friends, and communities multiplies the harm done. Society also bears costs through medical treatment, lost productivity, and more. Preventing violent crime and rehabilitation should be priorities.

Ethical Concerns With Violent Crime Charges

While violent crimes deserve punishment, there are ethical issues to consider around how they are prosecuted and sentenced.

• Racial disparities – Minorities face disproportionately harsh charging and sentencing, contributing to mass incarceration of black and Hispanic men.
• Wealth disparities – Lower income offenders are less able to afford quality legal counsel, possibly facing more severe outcomes.
• Mental illness – Harsh sentencing of the mentally ill may not serve justice or public safety. Treatment within the system makes sense for some offenders.
• Juvenile prosecution – Teen brains are still developing impulse control and judgement. Some deserve rehabilitation over prison.
• Victim wishes – Victims should have a voice in the process. Forced participation in trials can increase trauma against a victim’s wishes.
• False convictions – With violent crimes, there is often public pressure to secure a conviction quickly. This can lead to faulty eyewitness testimony, false confessions, rushed forensic analysis and more.
• Rehabilitation vs punishment – Locking up violent offenders may satisfy a retributive sense of justice and protect public safety in the short term. But lengthy sentences with no rehabilitative elements could make recidivism more likely.
• Costs of incarceration – While serious violent crimes may warrant prison time, over-incarceration burdens taxpayers economically and can decrease public safety long-term. Community-based alternatives can be effective for some offenses.

The justice system must weigh these issues as it works to punish violent crimes, make victims whole, and prevent future violence. There are no easy answers.

Moving Forward Together

Violent crime causes immense harm, and those responsible deserve punishment. But as a society we should also consider prevention and rehabilitation approaches.

Can we intervene with at-risk youth to promote alternatives to gang membership? Should sentences include counseling, education, and skills training? What community partnerships could be formed to support victims and reduce risk factors? How do we address root causes like poverty, addiction, and mental illness?

With compassion and nuance, we can build a criminal justice system that makes communities safer while promoting justice and ethical treatment of all people. There are no simple solutions, but through open and thoughtful discourse, we can move forward together.

References

[1] Oklahoma Violent Crimes

[2] FBI: Violent Crime

[3] National Institute of Justice: Violent Crime

[4] Violent Crimes in Oklahoma

[5] What Are Felony Violent Crimes?

[6] Oklahoma City Violent Crimes Lawyer