Are gun charges considered violent, particularly those where a charge is added onto some other felony or misdemeanor violation? That’s a question we see a lot, and the short answer is yes.
Gun charges are serious offenses that can result in significant penalties, including jail time and hefty fines. They can vary significantly, but they all have that labeling as a “violent offense” attached to them.
Therefore, if you or a loved one is facing any kind of gun charge, it is important to understand what this means and how it may impact your case. In the following post, we’ll be taking a closer look at why that is. We’ll also be discussing the best defense if you’re seeing gun violations tacked onto any additional charges. Let’s begin!
What Are Gun Charges?
Gun charges encompass a wide range of offenses related to firearms, from illegal possession and trafficking to the use of weapons in the commission of a crime. Depending on the jurisdiction and the specific circumstances involved, gun-related crimes can be classified as misdemeanors or felonies. In either case, gun charges are considered violent offenses and carry substantial punishments.
How Do Gun Charges Affect Your Case?
Gun charges have several implications for individuals who face them in court. For starters, they often result in harsher sentences than those associated with non-violent crimes such as fraud or embezzlement. Additionally, gun charges are seen as an aggravating factor in many cases; this means that even if the accused is found not guilty of the underlying offense (e.g., robbery) they could still receive a stiffer penalty due to their involvement with firearms. This could include longer prison sentences or additional fines/restitution payments made to victims/victims’ families.
Finally, individuals charged with a gun offense will typically be subject to more stringent bail conditions than those charged with other types of crimes; for example, they may be required to surrender their firearm(s) prior to release from custody or be prohibited from owning/possessing firearms altogether during their trial period. As such, it is important for anyone facing gun-related criminal charges to consult an experienced attorney who can provide guidance on these issues and help ensure that their rights are respected throughout the process.
How Are Gun Charges Considered Violent If No One Gets Hurt?
Gun charges are always considered violent, even when no one gets hurt. This is because we have a zero-tolerance policy for people carrying and using firearms illegally. The law states that we must keep our community a safe place by upholding these laws, regardless of whether the act caused harm or not.
This can be frustrating for defendants because we’ve already discussed the potential consequences of a felony charge and this could be the result of a gun charge regardless of any other circumstances.
While it can be difficult to understand why we assign such serious charges to something like simply carrying a gun illegally, we must remember that our communities rely on strict adherence to the law in order to stay safe and free.
So, while authorities in Texas may have relaxed standards when it comes to the ownership and open-carry positions of firearms with “law-abiding citizens,” they can turn around and use it like a cudgel on you if they are able to connect it to another offense.
What You Should Do If Facing Gun Charges of Any Kind
It’s no secret that guns carry certain risks when used incorrectly or illegally; as such, most jurisdictions consider any type of gun charge—including possession and trafficking—to be a violent offense punishable by law.
If you or someone you know has been charged with a firearm offense, it is essential that they contact an experienced defense attorney right away so they can receive the legal advice necessary to protect them against potential consequences including incarceration and hefty fines/restitution payments made to victims/victim’s families.
With professional representation from an experienced attorney like John Teakell on your side, you can rest easier knowing that your case will be handled properly and transparently throughout each step of the legal process.