Defending Individuals Facing Assault, Robbery, Homicide, and Other Violent Crime Charges
Violent crime charges carry some of the most severe penalties in the criminal justice system. A conviction for assault, robbery, or homicide can mean decades in prison, a permanent felony record, and consequences that reshape every aspect of a person’s future. These cases move quickly, are prosecuted aggressively, and often generate public attention that creates pressure on courts and prosecutors alike — pressure that can work against a defendant who does not have experienced legal representation from the very beginning.
At Corrao & Robles Law, attorney Nelson Robles represents individuals facing violent crime charges throughout Rhode Island and Massachusetts. He understands that these cases are rarely as simple as the initial charges suggest, and he works to ensure that every client receives a thorough, aggressive defense built on a careful examination of all the evidence involved.
Types of Violent Crime Charges We Handle
Violent crime charges cover a broad range of offenses involving force, threat of force, or serious physical harm. Common charges include:
The severity of these charges and the penalties they carry depend on factors including the degree of harm involved, whether a weapon was used, and whether the offense occurred in connection with another crime.
How Rhode Island and Massachusetts Prosecute Violent Crimes
Both Rhode Island and Massachusetts treat violent offenses as priority prosecutions, dedicating significant investigative and prosecutorial resources to these cases. Charges are often enhanced based on the use of weapons, the severity of injuries sustained, the location of the offense, or the criminal history of the accused.
Rhode Island imposes enhanced penalties for violent offenses committed with firearms and maintains specific statutes addressing home invasion and felony murder that carry severe mandatory consequences. Massachusetts similarly enhances sentences for crimes involving weapons and has enacted specific provisions targeting armed career criminals that can dramatically increase sentencing exposure for individuals with prior violent convictions on their record.
The Importance of a Thorough Investigation
In violent crime cases, the quality of the defense often depends on how quickly and thoroughly an independent investigation is conducted. Law enforcement investigations focus on building a case for the prosecution — not on uncovering evidence that might exonerate or mitigate responsibility for the accused.
An independent defense investigation can identify witnesses who were never interviewed, locate surveillance footage before it is overwritten, challenge the reliability of eyewitness identifications, and uncover facts about the circumstances leading up to the alleged offense that provide critical context. The earlier this work begins, the more effective it can be.
Common Defenses in Violent Crime Cases
Self-Defense and Defense of Others
Rhode Island and Massachusetts both recognize the right to use reasonable force to defend oneself or another person from an imminent threat of bodily harm. Establishing that force was used defensively — that the threat was real, that the response was proportionate, and that the accused did not provoke the confrontation — can be a complete defense to assault, battery, and even homicide charges in appropriate circumstances.
Mistaken Identity
Violent crime charges are frequently based on eyewitness identifications made under stressful, chaotic, and often poorly lit conditions. Decades of research have established that eyewitness identification is among the least reliable forms of evidence in the criminal justice system, particularly when the witness and the accused were strangers. Challenging the reliability of identification evidence through cross-examination, expert testimony, and independent investigation is a central component of many violent crime defenses.
Lack of Intent
Many violent crime charges require proof of specific intent to cause harm. Establishing that an injury resulted from recklessness, accident, or a misunderstanding of the circumstances rather than deliberate violent intent can affect both the outcome at trial and the charges to which a case may be resolved through negotiation.
Constitutional Violations
Evidence in violent crime cases — including statements made during interrogation, physical evidence gathered at a scene, and identification procedures — must all be obtained in compliance with constitutional requirements. Challenging improperly obtained evidence through suppression motions can significantly change the landscape of a case before trial ever begins.
Homicide and Attempted Murder Charges
Murder and manslaughter charges represent the most serious matters in the criminal justice system. The distinction between first-degree murder, second-degree murder, and manslaughter — and the evidence required to support each — involves complex legal standards that must be carefully analyzed in the context of the specific facts of each case.
Defending against homicide charges requires an attorney who is prepared to conduct a comprehensive independent investigation, work with forensic experts, challenge the government’s physical and scientific evidence, and present a complete and coherent alternative account of events to a judge and jury. These cases demand the highest level of preparation and advocacy, and the stakes leave no room for anything less.
Consequences of a Violent Crime Conviction
A violent crime conviction carries consequences that extend well beyond the immediate sentence and can include:
Because these consequences are so severe and so permanent, building the strongest possible defense from the earliest stage of a case is not optional — it is essential.
When to Speak With a Violent Crimes Defense Attorney
Contact an attorney immediately if any of the following apply:
Don’t speak with law enforcement without an attorney present. Statements made during the early stages of an investigation are among the most damaging pieces of evidence the government can use, and the right to remain silent exists precisely for these situations.
Work With Corrao & Robles Law
Violent crime charges demand an attorney who takes the full weight of what is at stake seriously and brings real preparation and determination to every aspect of the defense. Attorney Nelson Robles represents individuals throughout Rhode Island and Massachusetts facing violent crime allegations, working to challenge the evidence, protect constitutional rights, and ensure that every client’s defense is as thorough and effective as possible.
Corrao & Robles Law is prepared to evaluate the circumstances of your case and discuss your options in a confidential consultation.