What to Do When Charged with a Dangerous Offense

August 3, 2018 Posted in Felonies

A dangerous offense may be applicable in cases where a specific dangerous instrument or tool is utilized as a weapon in inflicting bodily harm to another person. The dangerous tool may be a loaded gun, baseball bat, knife, or stick. The most common dangerous instruments used are guns and knives.

In the state of Arizona, if you are charged with a dangerous offense, it means that you are faced with an accusation that is on top of the actual crime you are initially accused of. Thus, you need to have proper legal representation to make sure that your rights are protected at all times.

An Extremely Serious Offense

If you are charged with a dangerous offense, you must not take it lightly because it is quite a serious crime. Among the most prevalent dangerous offenses is the charge of aggravated assault. This is considered a Class 3 felony. When a prosecutor files a dangerous offense allegation, it means that the felony was committed with the use of a dangerous instrument.

There are several reasons that make a dangerous offense a serious charge. For one, a conviction for this felony comes with mandatory jail time. Thus, even if you do not have a criminal record of any type, you can expect to face some prison time once convicted.

You need to have a competent and experienced criminal defense lawyer by your side to walk you through the entire process. The Law Offices of Gary L. Rohlwing can help make sure that you get the best legal defense and results possible.

Types of Dangerous Offense Charges

Two of the most prevalent types of dangerous offense charges are aggravated assault and disorderly conduct.

• Aggravated Assault – This type of dangerous offense may be charged if you assault another person – even if you do not actually shoot or stab anyone. You can be charged with the felony by merely threatening someone with a gun or a knife. Being a Class 3 felony, you can go to jail for a presumptive or average term of 7 ½ years if it is your first offense.

Here is an example of what merits an aggravated assault dangerous offense. If you are actually holding a weapon or a certain type of dangerous instrument, and you threaten another person that you will inflict bodily harm, you will most likely be accused of an aggravated assault.

The weapon doesn’t even have to be a gun or a knife. It may be a stick, a rock, or anything that you can use as a dangerous instrument.

• Disorderly Conduct – A disorderly conduct charge involves the act of recklessly displaying a dangerous instrument or tool. You don’t even have to point a gun or knife, or fire a gun at another person to be charged and get convicted for a disorderly conduct dangerous offense. Mere possession and open display of the instrument is enough. The conviction for this can be charged as a Class 6 felony.

A dangerous offense charge in Arizona is an extremely serious offense in Arizona, and should always be taken seriously. If you or any of your loved ones are charged with the felony, you must immediately get in touch with a competent and experienced lawyer like the Law Offices of Gary L. Rohlwing immediately.