What Cases Do Criminal Lawyers Deal With?

Being accused of an offense can be stressful, whether you’re guilty or not. It’s even more challenging when the other party has access to qualified criminal attorneys and resources threatening to send you to jail and more.  When this happens, the best option to successfully fight your case and rights is hiring a qualified criminal lawyer, or you can also visit Canyon State Law website for more information. 

Cases Criminal Lawyers Deal With

While most people have heard the term criminal lawyers, there is a lot of information about them overlooked. As such, here is everything there is to know about what cases criminal lawyers deal with. Let’s get started:

Property criminal offenses

These cases usually have no casualties and injured victims. However, they can get violent even if this was not the perpetrator’s intention. Property offenses range from low-level crimes to serious felonies such as shoplifting and more.  To properly understand the different types of property offenses, let’s break each of them down:

Shoplifting-This is an offense that occurs when someone steals by concealing items at a store. It usually occurs when one hides things in their pockets and bags or walks with them out of the store without paying for them without the owner’s permission. It can happen in groceries, established retail stores and shops, or clothing stores.

Robbery-Robbery is a criminal offense where someone uses violence or threats to take what is not theirs forcefully.  It can happen in different places, including convenience stores and banks, and can use threatening weapons like guns and knives.

Burglary– involves entering a premise with the intent to steal and without the property owner’s approval. This is a term often confused with robbery, but as we have mentioned, robbery is when someone forcefully takes what is not theirs. In contrast, burglary is the act of entering a premises without permission.

Vandalism-Vandalism is an offense that occurs when a person defaces or destroys property without permission. Excellent examples of vandalism include breaking windows, throwing eggs, and slashing tires.  Usually, other words used to define vandalism offenses include malicious mischief, malicious trespass, and criminal damages.

 Arson-Arson is one of the most severe types of property offenses. The crime occurs when one sets ablaze property without the owner’s permission. This mainly occurs when the person intended to cause harm or damage to another person’s property. Also, while other property offenses are treated as minor crimes unless they turn violent, arson is usually treated as a felony. The charges can quickly be elevated if the arsonist intent was fraud through insurance claims. 

The above are just a few examples of property crimes, which is a vast field. However, criminal lawyers deal with more than just property crimes. 

Drug abuse offenses

These are violations that involve unlawful possession, use, and making illicit substances. Drug abuse crimes can also result from drug traffic, primarily controlled by cartels and organized criminal gangs.

Alcohol-related offenses

These are criminal cases linked to alcohol. They include anything from driving under the influence, breaking liquor laws like prohibited selling. Alcohol-related offenses also include making or buying booze containing prohibited alcoholic content and general drunk and disorderly.

Violent crime offenses

These are crimes that involve forcible rape, robbery, and non-negligent manslaughter, and murder. They are considered some of the most dangerous crimes and are handled more severely than most other violations. 

Disorderly conduct crimes

This is an offense in the defendant’s action, causing a public disturbance classified as disorderly conduct. However, the severity of a disorderly conduct crime mostly depends on the state of the disruption caused.

Fraud crimes

Fraud cases encompass crimes that occur due to misrepresentations and are usually linked to financial losses. Fraud cases can be categorized as theft. However, other crimes in this category include lottery scams, inheritance scams, and more.

Family cases

These are some of the most common criminal cases. They often include violent acts within the family structure. However, family cases are much wider and encompass economic-related schemes, endangering through physical abuse or endangering the mental well-being of another within a family setup.

 Types of Criminal Attorneys

Now that you’re aware of the types of cases criminal attorneys deal with. It’s also essential to know the different types of criminal attorneys to seamlessly find the right one based on the case. 

There are two basic types of criminal attorneys most people know about. A criminal defense attorney, also known as a criminal lawyer, and a prosecutor. The work of a criminal defense attorney is to operate under the Department of Justice to represent defendants being charged with crimes.  They are also responsible for arguing cases and providing evidence to prove guilt beyond doubt.

For prosecutors, they represent the state in criminal cases, and their work is contrary to criminal defense attorneys’ jobs. The prosecutor and the criminal lawyer are often at the opposite ends of the courtroom.