Being charged with a violent crime in Idaho is a serious matter that can impact your freedom, reputation, and long-term future. Prosecutors pursue these cases aggressively, and convictions often result in significant jail or prison time, steep fines, and lasting consequences on your personal and professional life. At Martens Law Office, we are dedicated to defending your rights, minimizing penalties, and providing comprehensive, strategic legal representation.
Understanding Violent Crime Charges in Idaho
Violent crime charges are taken extremely seriously in Idaho, with severe penalties for those convicted. Here’s what you need to know about violent crimes and how Idaho prosecutes them.
What Is Considered a Violent Crime?
Violent crimes involve acts that cause, or intend to cause, physical harm to another person. Common examples include assault, battery, domestic violence, attempted strangulation, and sex crimes. Some violent crimes also involve threats or intimidation, such as menacing or stalking.
Misdemeanor vs. Felony Violent Crimes
Misdemeanor Violent Crimes: Typically involve minor injuries or threats, such as simple assault or basic battery charges. Penalties may include fines up to $1,000, jail time up to one year, and probation.
Felony Violent Crimes: More severe violent acts, such as aggravated assault, attempted strangulation, or murder, are charged as felonies. These carry harsher consequences, including multi-year prison sentences, steep fines, and the potential for a permanent criminal record.
How Idaho Prosecutes Violent Offenses
Idaho courts aggressively prosecute violent crimes, with penalties escalating if aggravating factors are involved. These factors may include the use of a weapon, prior criminal history, or crimes involving children or vulnerable individuals. Convictions can result in incarceration, mandatory rehabilitation programs, no-contact orders, and loss of civil rights.
Common Violent Crime Cases We Defend
At Martens Law Office, we have extensive experience defending clients against a wide variety of violent criminal charges. Below are some of the types of cases we handle.
- Assault & Battery: Assault involves the threat of harm, while battery involves physical contact or injury. Even minor incidents can lead to criminal charges. Penalties depend on the severity of harm caused and whether a weapon was used.
- Attempted Strangulation: This is a felony offense in Idaho involving the deliberate choking or strangling of another person. Convictions can result in prison sentences of up to 15 years.
- Child Neglect & Abuse: Accusations of child neglect or abuse are treated with great severity. Convictions may lead to imprisonment, loss of parental rights, and mandatory registration as a child abuser.
- Domestic Violence: Domestic violence convictions include penalties such as jail time, fines, and loss of firearm rights. These charges can also lead to restrictive child custody arrangements or supervised visitation.
- Gun Crimes: Charges for unlawful possession or use of a firearm, or crimes involving weapons, carry severe consequences including license revocation, long-term imprisonment, and hefty fines.
- Sex Crimes: Sex crimes, including sexual assault and statutory rape, carry harsh penalties, including mandatory registration as a sex offender. These charges require skilled legal counsel to challenge evidence and defend your rights.
- Statutory Rape: Statutory rape charges involve allegations of sexual activity between individuals above and below the legal age of consent. Convictions can lead to significant penalties, including prison and mandatory sex offender registration.
Defenses Against Violent Crime Charges in Idaho
Regardless of the charge, it’s critical to have skilled legal representation to uncover weaknesses in the prosecution’s case, build a strong defense, and protect your future. At Martens Law Office, we employ various defense strategies tailored to the unique details of your case.
Self-Defense & Defense of Others
If you acted to protect yourself or someone else from harm, your actions may be justified. We work to demonstrate that your response was reasonable and lawful under the circumstances.
Lack of Evidence or False Allegations
False accusations or inadequate evidence can lead to unjust criminal charges. We scrutinize the prosecution’s case to identify inconsistencies, missing evidence, or lack of credibility in witnesses.
Constitutional Violations & Improper Police Conduct
If the police violated your constitutional rights during the investigation or arrest, such as conducting an illegal search or seizure, we’ll work to suppress the evidence and weaken the case against you.
Negotiating Plea Deals & Alternative Sentencing Options
When appropriate, we negotiate with prosecutors to reduce charges or secure alternative sentencing, such as probation, community service, or diversion programs, to help you avoid incarceration.
Contact a Boise Violent Crimes Lawyer Today
When your freedom and future are on the line, you need a defense attorney who will fight tirelessly to protect your rights. At Martens Law Office, we are committed to providing aggressive legal representation and ensuring that you understand every step of your defense strategy. Experienced violence crimes attorney Jared Martens takes a hands-on approach, carefully examining evidence, challenging the prosecution, and advocating strongly in court for the best possible outcome.
Schedule Your Consultation Today
Don’t wait to start building your defense. Contact us today to schedule your free consultation with Martens Law Office. Whether you’re charged with domestic violence, assault, or any other violent crime, we’re here to help you protect your freedom and secure a brighter future.
Take action now to safeguard your rights with a trusted advocate in your corner. Martens Law Office is ready to fight for you.