Major Crimes Defense Attorney in Philadelphia

Major Crimes in Philadelphia

Major crimes, such as assault and battery, are among the most serious criminal offenses that a person can be charged with. These charges can result in severe consequences, including long-term imprisonment and a criminal record. In these circumstances, it is crucial to have an experienced criminal defense attorney like Jules Szanto to guide you through the legal process and defend your rights. Below are some of the types of violent or major crimes in Philadelphia that Szanto Law can help you with. 

Assault 

Assault is a type of crime that involves causing harm or fear of harm to another person. This can include physical harm, such as hitting or punching someone, or threatening harm, such as brandishing a weapon or making a threat to cause harm. This can be anything from a fight outside a bar to negligently injuring another person with a deadly weapon, such as a kitchen knife. 

Sexual assault notwithstanding, there are different types of major crimes which can be classified as assault. Assault can be charged as a misdemeanor or a felony, depending on the severity of the crime and the circumstances surrounding the incident. Simple assault as a misdemeanor of the second degree, which can carry up to two years of incarceration, and is defined as when an individual intentionally, knowingly, or recklessly causes bodily injury to another person. Simple assault of the third degree, however, can carry up to one year of incarceration, and is generally defined when two people voluntarily engage in a fight, defined by the law as “mutual consent.” 

Aggravated Assault 

Aggravated Assault is a type of crime in Philadelphia that involves causing serious harm or fear of serious harm to another person. Unlike simple assault, which is typically defined as causing bodily injury or engaging in a fight, Aggravated Assault involves the use of a deadly weapon or the intent to cause serious bodily injury. This can include incidents such as using a knife, gun, or other dangerous weapon to threaten or harm someone, or intentionally causing serious injury to another person. 

Aggravated Assault can be charged as a felony in Philadelphia, and the consequences of a conviction can be severe. Depending on the circumstances of the crime and the severity of the harm caused, a person convicted of Aggravated Assault can face years in prison, significant fines, and a criminal record that can impact their future opportunities. These charges can arise if an individual attempts to cause serious bodily injury to another or attempts bodily injury to another with a deadly weapon. 

Bodily Injury 

In Philadelphia, "bodily injury" is defined as physical pain, illness, or any impairment of physical condition. This can include cuts, bruises, broken bones, or other physical injuries caused by an act of violence or negligence. The definition of bodily injury is relevant in criminal cases such as assault, where the prosecution must prove that the accused caused bodily injury to another person in order to secure a conviction. 

Serious Bodily Injury 

In Philadelphia, serious bodily injury is defined as an injury that creates a substantial risk of death or causes serious, permanent disfigurement, or loss or impairment of the function of any bodily member or organ. This definition includes, but is not limited to, serious physical injury, such as broken bones, cuts requiring stitches, or loss of consciousness. Serious bodily injury is a more severe form of injury than simple bodily injury and is often used in the context of criminal cases, such as assault or battery charges.