People are arrested in the Riverside, California, area each and every day for a variety of reasons. In fact, statistics show that the crime rate in Riverside is higher than the rate for the State of California or the United States as a whole. Different crimes result in different criminal charges and potential penalties – some that are more serious than others. However, no matter what type of allegations you might face, you always want to have a Riverside, CA criminal defense attorney handling your case who understands how the criminal justice system works in this area.
Violent Crimes
Criminal offenses are divided into different categories, and violent crimes often bring the highest penalties. In a recent year, according to the City of Riverside database crime statistics, 1,497 violent crimes were reported in Riverside, including the following:
- Assault = 929
- Robbery = 394
- Rape = 153
- Murder = 21
Violent offenses are often charged as felonies, which means there is a very real chance of extended prison time. Some murder cases even qualify for the death penalty, though California currently has an official moratorium on all capital punishment.
Property Crimes
Violent crimes happen against other people, while property crimes target money, items, or real property, and they usually do not involve any physical harm to other individuals. These crimes are more common in Riverside, with 10,213 happening in a year, and they include:
- Theft = 6,619
- Motor vehicle theft = 1,904
- Burglary = 1,690
Theft can include physically taking something that is not yours but also using fraud or other deceitful tactics to obtain money or property that belongs to someone else.
Even though property crimes tend not to cause physical harm to other people, they can cause significant financial harm and other problems. Therefore, the law still takes these offenses very seriously.
The penalties for theft crimes depend on the value of what was allegedly stolen, among other factors. For example, theft of something worth less than $950 is a misdemeanor charge known as petty theft. Theft over $950 is called grand theft, and the prosecutor can issue either a misdemeanor or felony charge, depending on the circumstances. For felony grand theft, the penalties can be enhanced the greater the value of the property.
The Importance of a Criminal Defense Lawyer
The criminal justice system is not meant to favor defendants. While defendants have rights, the prosecutor and other authorities often do not ensure those rights are protected. Instead, prosecutors might push defendants to plead guilty to a crime without legal representation, which can result in overly harsh penalties or wrongful convictions.
By having the right criminal defense attorney, you can rest assured that someone is standing up for your constitutional rights and fighting for the best possible outcome in your case. We can identify all possible defenses and present them in the most persuasive manner possible to the prosecutor, judge, or jury.
Contact a Riverside, CA Criminal Defense Lawyer
If you are accused of a crime in Riverside, you want the legal team of DeLimon Law on your side. Contact us for a consultation as soon as possible.