Violent crime accusations carry serious consequences, potentially affecting your freedom, reputation, and future. Violent crimes include offenses such as homicide, assault, robbery, and other serious bodily harm offenses, all of which are treated severely by prosecutors in Louisiana.
If you are accused of a homicide, assault, robbery, or any other serious violent offenses, it is essential to seek immediate legal representation. At Dewey & Braud Law, our criminal defense attorneys are dedicated to protecting your rights and building a strong defense for your case.
Types of Violent Crimes We Defend
At Dewey & Braud Law, we represent clients facing charges for a wide range of violent crimes. Each of these offenses carries severe penalties, and it's essential to have a skilled attorney to build a solid defense strategy. Here are some common violent crimes cases we handle:
Aggravated Burglary
Aggravated burglary involves unlawfully entering a structure with intent to commit theft or a felony, while using a weapon or causing harm. It’s a serious felony in Louisiana, carrying severe penalties, including lengthy prison sentences.
Aggravated Assault
Aggravated assault is an intentional act that puts someone in fear of serious harm using a weapon or dangerous object. This charge escalates from simple assault and can lead to significant fines and prison time.
Armed Robbery
Armed robbery is the theft of property using force or intimidation while carrying a weapon. This charge carries severe penalties, including long prison sentences, especially if a weapon is discharged or if victims are injured.
Homicide or Manslaughter
Dewey & Braud Law has assisted clients charged with murder, manslaughter, criminal negligent homicide, and vehicular homicide. By working with Dewey & Braud Law, you can take comfort knowing your case is in the hands of legal professionals who understand criminal law and will work to reduce or dismiss charges whenever possible.
Penalties for Violent Crimes in Louisiana
The penalties for violent offenses in Louisiana vary based on the exact charge, the alleged use of a weapon, the extent of the claimed injuries, and the defendant’s criminal history. In many cases, a conviction can lead to jail or prison time, substantial fines, probation restrictions, and a permanent criminal record.
Here’s a breakdown of the penalties based on the type of violent crime:
- Aggravated Burglary (La. R.S. 14:60): Felony conviction with mandatory minimum of one year with a maximum of 30 years in prison.
- Aggravated Assault (La. R.S. 14:37/37.4): Can be charged as a misdemeanor or felony based with the potential of up to 6 months and up to $1,000 in fines.
- Armed Robbery (La. R.S. 14:64): Felony conviction with mandatory 10-99 years in prison without parole, probation, or early release.
- Second Degree Murder (La. R.S. 14:30.1): Felony conviction resulting in life imprisonment with no parole. If the offender was under the age of 18 during the crime, Louisiana may allow for parole after serving 25 years of the sentence.
- Manslaughter (La. R.S. 14:31): Felony conviction resulting in up to 40 years in prison with additional fines
Because sentencing exposure can be severe, anyone accused of a violent offense should speak with a violent crimes attorney immediately. A violent crimes defense lawyer can evaluate the charge, explain the potential penalties, and begin working to limit the damage from the outset.
Common Violent Crime Defense Strategies
No two violent crime cases are exactly alike, a strong defense will focus on the facts, the available evidence, and the legal issues involved. An experienced violent crime lawyer will closely review police reports, witness accounts, surveillance footage, forensic evidence, and the circumstances of the arrest before deciding how to move forward.
Common violent crime defense strategies may include:
- Arguing self-defense or defense of others
- Challenging identity or mistaken eyewitness identification
- Showing lack of intent
- Contesting whether a weapon was actually used
- Exposing inconsistent witness statements
- Seeking suppression of unlawfully obtained evidence
- Challenging overcharging by the prosecution
In some cases, the best strategy is to pursue dismissal or reduction of charges before trial. In others, a violent crime defense lawyer may focus on undermining the prosecution’s theory, negotiating from a stronger position, or presenting a compelling defense to a judge or jury.
Because prosecutors often build violent crime cases aggressively, you should not assume the state’s version of events will go unchallenged. A qualified violent crime attorney can test the evidence, protect your constitutional rights, and work to create reasonable doubt where the facts support it.
Defending Against Homicide Charges
Homicide is among the most severe charges in the criminal code, treated with exceptional gravity by prosecutors.
In Louisiana, second-degree murder carries a mandatory life sentence at hard labor without benefit of parole, probation, or suspension of sentence. First-degree murder convictions can result in death or life imprisonment without parole.
If you face homicide charges, it is essential to secure skilled criminal defense representation as early as possible. Dewey & Braud Law is prepared to offer comprehensive defense strategies for those accused of homicide or other violent crimes.
Understanding the Criminal Process in Violent Crime Cases
Being arrested for a violent offense is overwhelming, especially if you have never been through the criminal justice system before. Understanding what happens next can help you avoid mistakes and better protect yourself while your case moves through the Louisiana courts.
What to Expect After an Arrest
After an arrest, law enforcement may book you, question you, and prepare reports for prosecutors. From that point forward, what you say and do can affect your case, which is why it is critical to speak with a violent crimes lawyer before answering questions or trying to explain yourself to investigators.
In many cases, one of the first major court events is the arraignment, where the charges are formally presented and the defendant enters a plea. Bail, release conditions, and future court dates may also shape what happens next.
How Cases Progress Through Louisiana Courts
After charges are filed, a violent crime case may proceed through arraignment, pretrial hearings, motion practice, plea negotiations, and, if necessary, trial. Along the way, the defense may challenge probable cause, contest evidence, interview witnesses, and seek favorable resolutions based on the strengths and weaknesses of the case.
Felony cases can become especially complex when they involve forensic evidence, alleged weapons, multiple witnesses, or serious injury allegations. Having a violent crimes attorney involved early can help ensure deadlines are met, defenses are preserved, and strategic decisions are made with care.
What To Do If You’re Facing Violent Crime Charges
If you are facing violent crime charges, take the situation seriously and act quickly. The steps you take now may affect your ability to defend yourself later.
You should:
- Exercise your right to remain silent
- Avoid discussing the case with police without counsel
- Do not contact the alleged victim or key witnesses
- Preserve texts, emails, social media content, and other evidence
- Follow all bond or release conditions
- Contact a violent crime attorney right away
At Dewey & Braud Law, our law firm defends people accused of serious offenses in Baton Rouge and across Louisiana. If you need a violent crimes lawyer, our team is prepared to step in and fight for your rights.
Why You Need a Violent Crime Defense Lawyer
Violent offense cases are not the kind of matters you should try to handle alone. The stakes are too high, the process moves too quickly, and prosecutors often pursue the harshest available penalties in serious cases.
A violent crime defense lawyer can protect your right to remain silent, represent you in court, communicate with prosecutors, and build a defense based on the law and the facts. Whether you need a violent crime lawyer for an assault allegation or experienced violent crime lawyers for a homicide investigation, having the right legal team can be essential to protecting your future. Contact Dewey & Braud Law today.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is considered a violent crime in Louisiana?
A violent crime in Louisiana involves the use, attempted use, or threatened use of physical force against a person or their property, carrying substantial risk of harm. This includes offenses like assault, battery, armed robbery, homicide, and weapons charges under La. R.S. 14:2(B). These crimes trigger enhanced penalties and stricter sentencing guidelines.
Can you claim self-defense against violent crime charges?
Yes, Louisiana recognizes self-defense when reasonable force is used to protect yourself or others from imminent harm. The force must be proportionate to the threat, and evidence like witness testimony strengthens these claims. A violent crime attorney can build this defense by showing the state hasn't proven guilt beyond reasonable doubt.
What penalties do violent crimes carry in Louisiana?
Penalties range from years in prison to life without parole, plus heavy fines and loss of rights like firearm ownership. "Crime of violence" designations trigger mandatory minimums and habitual offender enhancements. Even first offenses can mean decades behind bars under truth in sentencing laws requiring 85% service before parole eligibility.
Can violent crime convictions be expunged in Louisiana?
No, violent crimes cannot be expunged from your record in Louisiana. Only certain non-violent felonies qualify for expungement. A conviction creates permanent barriers to employment, housing, and licensing that a defense lawyer works to avoid through dismissal or reduction.
How soon should I contact a violent crime attorney?
Immediately after arrest or investigation. Evidence degrades quickly, witness memories fade, and early decisions shape plea options and trial strategy. Delaying limits your ability to suppress evidence or negotiate charge reductions before prosecutors lock in their position.
What defenses work against violent crime charges?
Common defenses include lack of intent, alibi evidence, mistaken identity, illegal searches, and justification like defense of property. Attorneys challenge witness credibility, forensic evidence, and overcharging while pursuing dismissals or pleas. Each case turns on specific facts, requiring thorough investigation from day one.
Call Dewey & Braud Law today at (225) 953-8330 or schedule a free consultation online to discuss your case with our dedicated legal professionals.
