Legal Definitions - violent offense

A violent offense refers to a crime that involves the actual or threatened use of physical force against another person, or that results in bodily injury or death. These offenses are characterized by their direct impact on the physical safety and well-being of individuals.

Here are some examples to illustrate this concept:

• Example 1: During a heated argument, one neighbor shoves another neighbor to the ground, causing them to break their wrist.

  Explanation: This is considered a violent offense because it involves the direct application of physical force (shoving) against another person, resulting in bodily injury (a broken wrist).

• Example 2: An individual approaches a pedestrian on the street, brandishes a knife, and demands their wallet.

  Explanation: This scenario illustrates a violent offense because the perpetrator used the *threat* of physical force (implied by the knife) to intimidate the victim and commit the crime, even if no physical contact occurred.

• Example 3: A person intentionally drives their car into a crowd of protestors, causing multiple injuries and fatalities.

  Explanation: This is a severe violent offense as it involves the deliberate use of a vehicle as a weapon to inflict significant physical harm, including both injuries and deaths, upon multiple individuals.