Crimes occur all throughout the United States, and Fort Worth is no exception. In one year, there were 32,963 reported crimes in Fort Worth, Texas. But not all of those crimes were of the same magnitude. Find out which crimes are the most common in the city.

Property Crimes

One of the most frequent types of crime in the city is property crime. In 2017, Fort Worth had a property crime rate of 279.7.

For this crime to occur, someone needs to prevent another party from enjoying or using their property. Theft, arson, burglary, and larceny are all considered to be property crimes.

Usually, property crime does not involve any physical harm to a person. But it can happen. Those cases often involve serious penalties. The severity of your penalties depends on a variety of circumstances, including the type of property and the circumstances surrounding the damage.

Assault

Assault is more common in Fort Worth than you might imagine. The crime occurs when someone purposely tries to cause harm to another individual. Whether or not the harm occurs, the aggressor can find themselves facing criminal charges. If there is actual harm done, the individual could also face battery charges.

Although assault can happen to anyone, it occurs most frequently within families. This is known as domestic violence and is taken quite seriously.

Drug Crimes

Across the country, drugs are a serious problem. And in Fort Worth, the cops often encounter people in the possession of controlled substances. When someone possesses, sells, makes, or transports a controlled substance, they are guilty of a drug crime.

Some examples of controlled substances include marijuana, heroin, meth, and cocaine. But there are many others. If you are found with a controlled substance, you could face substantial penalties. These penalties depend on the substance and the quantity in your possession. For instance, you are likely to have more significant consequences for having cocaine in your possession than marijuana.

Drunk Driving

Another relatively common offense is drunk driving. Although the state of Texas takes drunk driving seriously, their stance doesn’t prevent everyone from committing the crime. Every year, there are many deaths and injuries caused by drunk drivers.

Sometimes, the police catch drunk drivers before they cause accidents. They create sobriety checkpoints and can charge impaired drivers with DUIs. At other times, the charges are made after the police find a drunk driver at the scene of an accident.

In either scenario, you could be in trouble. A DUI can result in a license suspension, fines, and even jail time. If you are convicted of the crime, your criminal record could follow you around for years. It can keep you from getting a job or finding housing.

The Consequences of Criminal Offenses

All criminal offenses have the potential to ruin lives. This is due to the fact that all criminal offenses come with consequences. You could be forced into serve time in jail, pay thousands of dollars in fines, and do community service.

Even if you don’t end up in jail, a conviction can hurt your future. It’s important to work with an attorney to fight your charges. They may be able to get the court to dismiss your case, or they could lessen your charges. If you’re in legal trouble, contact Cole Paschall Law – Fort Worth Criminal Defense Attorneys. They can represent you and work towards a brighter future.