Gun Violence

Worcester Gun Violence Lawyer

Diligent Criminal Defense Services in Middlesex & Hampden Counties

Gun violence is the number one cause of homicides in Massachusetts and across the country. The Worcester criminal defense lawyers at Rudolf, Smith, Griffis & Ruggieri, LLP have experience dealing with gun violence cases and can provide knowledgeable legal defense.

What You Should Know About Gun Violence

Fully two thirds of homicides are committed using firearms, the vast majority of which are handguns. No matter where you stand on the gun control issue, these facts are staggering. Guns may be a constitutional right for many Americans, but they are also deadly tools, and despite the strict gun control regulations, injuries and deaths from gun violence continue to be at their highest levels ever.

Gun violence may be used in other violent crimes including:

Whether or not the guns themselves are a problem, they have consistently been the weapons of choice for Massachusetts criminals. When a gun is involved in a crime, things escalate very quickly, both during the commission of the crime and when it comes time for the trial. A misdemeanor charge may be turned into a felony by the presence or use of a gun when the defendant committed the crime, and judges are authorized to enhance the defendant’s sentence significantly.

A Gun Possession Lawyer Knows Defense Strategies for Gun Violence Charges

In cases of homicide with a firearm, the defense strategy hinges upon the state of the weapon in question. If the prosecution is unable to produce the firearm used to kill the victim, it is far easier to cast doubt on the guilt of their client. Without ballistic evidence, one essential link to the defendant has been severed. In addition, the defense strategy for property crimes involving a firearm often includes attempting to prove that the defendant either did not have a gun at all, or that it was not on the defendant at the time of the offense. Contact us today if you need a gun possession lawyer. 

Guns & Sex Crimes

In cases where a firearm is used in a major sex crimes, the offender will likely spend significant time in prison and will be labeled as a sex offender permanently. Unfortunately, the presence of a gun at the scene of a rape or on the person of the accused is compelling evidence of the forcible nature of a sexual encounter. The Worcester criminal defense attorneys at Rudolf, Smith, Griffis & Ruggieri, LLP have defended numerous clients against sex crimes charges, and we can work hard to provide diligent representation for your case.

Youth Crimes & Gun Violence

Guns violence is the second leading cause of death amongst youths ages 10 to 25 in Massachusetts, just below accidental injury (such as car crashes and reckless behavior). Most of the firearms used by young men and women to kill or injure others are taken from their parents’ homes. Thus, parents are likely to face a number of charges including reckless endangerment and unlawful storage of a firearm.