What Is a Violent Offender?

Violent offenders can strike terror and fear in almost any person. People think of Charles Mason-like people with no regard for another person or even for themselves. However, the definition of a violent offender is more technical and complicated than that. There are certain requirements a person must meet in order to be considered a violent criminal in the eyes of the law.

Type of Crime

• The type and nature of the crime needs to be considered when defining a violent offender. According to the National Drug Court Resource Center and US Legal, a person can be considered a violent offender if the crime consisted of the use of deadly force, a firearm was possessed or carried, serious harm occurred to the other party, or one or more people were killed in the event.

Prior Offenses

• A person with prior violent offenses, in particular felony charges for violence, is likely to be considered a violent offender. This includes domestic abuse, aggravated assault or any other felony crime where the person intended to cause serious bodily harm or death to another person.

Personality Traits

• The personality traits of violent offenders can vary greatly, but there are some common threads that can be seen. For example, most violent offenders have issues with anger and fighting. Many are narcissistic and have no empathy or concern for other people around them. Most have limited personal relationships due to these characteristics.

Past History

• Most violent offenders experienced violence as a part of their everyday life growing up. Many were physically or mentally abused by caretakers, parents or relatives. This creates a cycle of abuse that continues in their own life. Violent offenders who experienced or witnessed these things are more likely to duplicate those patterns in their everyday life, being charged with similar crimes and spending time in juvenile or adult facilities or jail.