On behalf of Raymond V. Giudice, P.C. posted in Violent Crimes on Wednesday, October 31, 2012

For the first time in nearly 20 years, violent crime reportedly is on the rise in the U.S., according to the U.S. Department of Justice. A report released earlier this month shows that assaults increased by 22 percent in 2011, which resulted in an increase to the overall violent crime rate for the first time since 1993.

Until 2011, reports of violent crime had been declining, actually reaching a record low in 2010. However, the Department of Justice conducts this report via a telephone survey, not by actually examining arrest reports and conviction records, and as we know not everyone who is verbally accused of a violent crime is actually guilty of one.

The survey found that in 2011, about 22.5 of every 1,000 people were assaulted. This is compared with 19.3 in 2010.

The most closely watched report about crime statistics, the FBI's Uniform Crime Report, was released shortly after the Department of Justice report and this report actually showed a 4 percent decline in violent crime. The FBI's report is a study of the offenses that are reported to police. Additionally, the FBI does not track simple assaults that do not involve weapons or serious injuries, and the Department of Justice does track those.

While it is not clear which report is more accurate, what we do know is that they are both based on allegations and not convictions. Many people are accused of violent crimes that they did not commit, but of course all accusations are taken seriously by law enforcement and prosecutors in order to protect public safety. This is why anyone who is charged with a violent crime is wise to talk with a violent crimes attorney about their legal rights as soon as possible.

Source: CNN U.S., "U.S. violent crime up for first time in years," Terry Frieden, Oct. 17, 2012