Washington is not only known for its challenging political landscape, or the many businesses that keep the city running all day. It is also known for how well it handles criminal charges. As such, you will find many individuals grappling with one criminal charge or the other.
“While you can consider speaking with a criminal defense attorney if you have been charged with a crime, it is better to know how to avoid it altogether,” says David Benowitz of Platinum Criminal Defense Lawyer David Benowitz.
This article explains what constitutes a criminal offense in Washington, DC. The goal is to ensure you are aware of and stay clear of getting involved in any of them.
What Constitutes a Crime Against a Person in D.C.?
Crimes against a person are a very serious category of crime in Washington because of the value placed on human lives and well-being. These crimes primarily involve actions to harm or kill another person. Although there can be several actions that constitute a crime against a person, they are generally grouped under two broad headings.
- Homicide: This is killing another person, whether by intentional action or the omission of an action. Homicide is divided into various types, and charges are at different levels, including first-degree murder, manslaughter, and vehicular homicide.
- Violent Crimes: This includes crimes like assault, kidnapping, robbery, child abuse, and domestic abuse. Violent crimes involve threatening, use of force, or harming another person with violence.
Considering how serious the offences against another person are, punishments are always serious. While some may mean the guilty party spending years or life in prison, others may also result in a death sentence, depending on how serious.
What Constitutes Crimes Against Property in D.C.?
Another aspect of crime in Washington D.C. is those actions that constitute property crime. The law protects citizens’ lives and property.. And those who violate these rights are held accountable. Actions that may be considered a crime against property are those actions that cause deliberate destruction of another’s property..
How Are Statutory Crimes Defined?
Also known as statutory offenses, statutory crimes are acts or omissions prohibited by statute. In simple terms, they are actions that are considered illegal and punishable by the law within the state. These offenses are considered illegal and prohibited for the good of society.
Examples of Common Offenses in Washington, D.C.
Here are some common criminal offenses in Washington, D.C. and the criminal charges they attract.
- Motor Vehicle Theft: In 2024, Washington saw over 5,000 car theft cases. Motor vehicle theft, including simple car theft and armed carjacking, attracts serious penalties. Conviction of a motor theft in DC may result in a felony sentence of up to 5 years in jail. In addition, there are fines reaching up to 12,500 USD, depending on the car’s value.
- Driving Under the Influence (DUI): DC has zero tolerance for DUIs and underage driving. This offense results in varying penalties depending on the number of prior offenses and blood alcohol levels. First-time offenders may face up to 1 year in jail, 350 to 5000 USD in fines, and up to 90 days of license suspension.
- Robbery: This involves forcefully taking anything valuable from another party’s care or custody. If you are charged with robbery, your penalty may vary depending on your past criminal record and the degree of robbery you are charged with. Penalties may include jail time of up to 15 years or over $50,000 in fines.
Conclusion
The fight against crime is a major priority in Washington, D.C., which is why you must stay informed about what constitutes an offense. However, if after all that you still find yourself tangled with any of these offenses, do not hesitate to speak to an attorney. A criminal defense attorney in DC can help you better understand your case and provide legal clarity on how to navigate it.
