Violent Crimes Attorney in Wethersfield, Connecticut

If you or someone close to you has been charged with committing a violent crime, you may be facing very harsh legal consequences. If you are in this situation, you need an experienced criminal defense lawyer who possesses the legal composure and elegance to understand and translate the law and statutes of your case, has thorough knowledge of the judicial system of Connecticut, and has the patience to understand your needs. Otherwise, you may find yourself spending a very lengthy term in prison and facing other stiff penalties.

At APEX Law Firm, we have over five decades of combined experience defending clients accused of all types of violent crimes in Connecticut. We are a veteran owned and operated firm, and we understand the meaning of the word “service”. When you retain our services, we go to work immediately to thoroughly investigate the facts and evidence, and to provide a full and honest assessment of your legal options.

We are very familiar with the tactics law enforcement and prosecutors commonly use with these types of cases, and we adopt an aggressive defense strategy at each stage of the process that is designed to identify any and all weaknesses in the state’s case against you, and to explore every potential legal avenue toward mitigating the circumstances as much as possible.

We defend clients accused of all types of violent crimes, including but not limited to:

• Weapons Offenses
• Gang Crimes
• Armed Robbery
• Battery and Assault
• Domestic Violence
• Kidnapping
• Arson
• Reckless Homicide
• Manslaughter
• Murder and Attempted Murder

Penalties for Violent Crimes

In Connecticut, there are two major categories of criminal charges; misdemeanors and felonies. Misdemeanors carry a maximum sentence of up to one year in jail, while felonies carry extended prison sentences. Most violent crimes are charged as either Class A misdemeanors or felonies.

If you have been accused of a violent crime, you may be facing one of the following charges:

• Class A Misdemeanor: This is the most serious category of misdemeanor in Connecticut, and it is punishable with fines of up to $2000, and up to one year in jail. Examples of violent crimes that may be charged in this category include third-degree assault with a deadly weapon and third-degree assault of an elderly, blind, disabled, or pregnant person.
• Class D Felony: This is the least serious class of felony, and it is punishable with fines of up to $5000, and between one and five years in state prison. Violent crimes that may be charged in this category may include second-degree assault with a firearm and third-degree burglary with a firearm.
• Class C Felony: This class of felony is punishable with fines of up to $10,000, and between one and 10 years in state prison. Violent crimes that may be charged in this category may include second-degree manslaughter with a firearm, and second-degree burglary with a firearm.
• Class B Felony: This class of felony is punishable with fines of $15,000, and prison terms of between one and 40 years. Violent crimes in this category may include first-degree manslaughter with a firearm, first-degree assault, and injury or risk of injury involving contact with intimate parts of a minor under the age of 13.
• Class A Felony: Aside from capital offenses, this is the most serious class of felony. A conviction is punishable with fines of up to $20,000, and prison terms ranging from 10 to 50 years, or 25 years to life. Crimes that may be charged in this category may include murder, first-degree kidnapping, and aggravated sexual assault of a minor.
• Capital Felony: This is the most serious category and it is reserved for the most heinous crimes, such as murdering a police officer, multiple murders in one transaction, and murder with other special circumstances. Convictions in this category used to carry the possibility of the death penalty. In 2012, Connecticut abolished capital punishment, and today, those convicted of a capital felony face life imprisonment without the possibility of parole.

Habitual/Persistent Offenders

Criminal offenders are subject to enhanced penalties based on the specific circumstances of their case. For example, if you have prior felony convictions, you may be classified as a persistent offender. Under Connecticut’s recidivist sentencing law, those with prior felony convictions may receive longer prison sentences for conviction than those who are convicted for their first offense.

Collateral Consequences for a Criminal Conviction

Heavy fines and prison time are not the only consequences you may face if you are convicted of a violent crime. A conviction becomes part of your permanent criminal record, and the only way to have it removed is to receive an expungement pardon from the state.

Having a criminal conviction on your record, particularly a felony conviction, can cost you in a number of ways:

• You may have difficulty obtaining or keeping a job;
• You may have difficulty obtaining housing:
• You may have difficulty being admitted to the college you want to attend;
• You may be denied grants, scholarships, or other types of financial aid to attend college;
• If your work requires a professional license, you may have your license revoked, or have difficulty obtaining or renewing it;
• If you are an immigrant, you may be denied a visa, permanent residency, or US citizenship;
• You may be unable to travel to certain countries;
• You may be denied a permit to own a firearm;
• You may lose your voting rights for a certain period of time. 

Speak with an Experienced Connecticut Criminal Defense Lawyer

If you have been charged with a violent crime or you have reason to believe you are under criminal investigation, time is of the essence. With so much at stake, you need to be proactive and take decisive action to put together a strong and effective defense strategy. Being charged with a crime does not necessarily mean you will be convicted. With the right legal defense, you can fight the charges against you and ensure that the negative consequences stemming (from these charges) are minimized.

At APEX Law Firm, we are here to help! To schedule a personalized consultation with one of our skilled criminal defense attorneys, call our office today at (860) 900-0900. You may also send us a message through our online contact form.