Lafayette Violent Crime Lawyer

Lafayette Violent Crime Attorney

The Lafayette Police Department sometimes tries too hard to prevent violence in the city. If you are facing violent crime charges, consider working with a Lafayette violent crime lawyer who can defend your case.

Experienced Violent Crime Attorneys in Lafayette, LA

At Longman Jakuback, we know how stressed our clients can feel about their criminal charges. We work to help our clients feel in control of their situation and resolve it as quickly as possible. Our compassion extends beyond the work we do because we truly believe that our clients deserve supportive legal representation.

What Are Violent Crimes?

Violent crime laws designate certain offenses as “violent” if they directly cause physical harm to others. Multiple crimes can fit this description, including:

• Grievous crimes: These crimes come with some of the highest penalty levels in Louisiana law. They include both first- and second-degree murder as well as first- through third-degree feticide.
• Violence: Even if the individual affected is not killed, it could still be considered a violent crime. This includes offenses like battery. Other violent crimes, like manslaughter, are not committed intentionally, but even unplanned violent crimes are still punishable by law.
• Sex crimes: Crimes of a sexual nature also fit under this category. This is because they often rely on aggression to achieve sexual goals. Sex crimes include sexual assault and rape. Violent sex offenses involve the use of force or coercion to commit the crime.
• Theft: Not all thefts are considered violent. However, the presence of a weapon or actual violence can make theft a violent crime. An example of a violent theft charge would be robbery. Burglary on its own is usually nonviolent, but aggravated burglary might count as a violent offense.
• Hate crimes: Violence against a certain group of people is considered a hate crime. Due to the frequent use of weapons to intimidate a group of people, it is usually considered a violent crime.

There are 98.1 charges of robbery per 100,000 people in Lafayette annually. Crimes like these usually include more severe punishments than nonviolent offenses. That’s why you should work with a seasoned Lafayette violent crime attorney when facing such charges.

Why Hire a Violent Crime Lawyer?

An attorney can explain your exact situation. Charges are an important indicator, but the actual punishment can vary based on several factors.

Your criminal background can impact how you are charged and sentenced. Your attorney can review your criminal history to determine the most effective way to address your current charges.

Some violent crimes happen in ways that do not leave much evidence. Attorneys can gather as much evidence as possible to bolster your case. If there is not a lot of evidence, an attorney can instead argue for your innocence due to the lack of proof that you actually committed the crime.

Each charge has a range of penalties associated with it. The penalties usually include some form of jail time, fines, and community service. There are also mandatory minimums on some crimes. This makes it so that those convicted of violent crimes might have to serve out most of their sentence before being released.

In some circumstances, probation might not be possible for your charges. Certain crimes do not allow a judge to offer probation instead of a jail sentence. This means that an attorney needs to work harder to achieve a favorable sentence.

Your attorney can estimate what your sentence might be. They can also negotiate with prosecutors to reduce your sentence or alter it based on the facts. You might not get this opportunity without someone who understands the legal system.

While some violent crime cases might only result in misdemeanor charges, many are automatically considered felonies due to the nature of the crime. A felony on your criminal record can have serious implications. A violent crime attorney in Lafayette can prevent this from happening by using the evidence to argue against a lengthy sentence.

Why Choose Us?

At Longman Jakuback, we are known for being excellent communicators. We can empathetically explain your charges in a way that makes sense to you. It’s important for our clients to understand what the process might hold for them. After this, we can then develop a unique plan to work through your case.

FAQs About Lafayette, LA Violent Crime Laws

Innocent Until Proven Guilty

There are 672.4 cases of assault in Lafayette per 100,000 people. It’s important to take these cases seriously, but they can also unfairly affect people wrongly accused of such a grievous crime. To learn more about how we can address your violent crime charges, schedule a consultation with Longman Jakuback today.