Getting arrested is never a fun experience, regardless of what you are being charged with. It is particularly frustrating if you are charged with something that you are innocent of, which forces you to wait until enough evidence is gathered to set you free. Here are three common reasons why people get arrested.
1. Possession of Drugs
Possession of drugs is one of the most common things that people are arrested for. In states where it is still illegal, marijuana is the most common substance that leads to an arrest, often of people who have never been convicted of a crime before. Other drug offenses include the use of amphetamines, cocaine, and heroin. It is also possible to be arrested for possessing certain drug paraphernalia, even if no drugs are actually found on you. If you have been arrested for drug possession, Dauphin County bail bonds may allow you to go home until the trial.
2. Theft
One of the reasons why theft is labeled as one of the most common crimes committed is because its definition is very broad. Theft can include:
- Larceny, which is what most people think of when they read about theft, and involves taking property belonging to someone else
- Robbery, which can be defined as using violent force against someone else to take something that does not belong to you
- Fraud, or misrepresenting facts to obtain financial resources that you are not entitled to receive
- Motor vehicle theft, where someone takes a motor vehicle that is not theirs
- Forgery, or making a false signature in order to obtain goods, services, or other assets that were meant for someone else
Most thieves are motivated by financial or material gain, and with the exception of robbery, theft often does not result in any physical injuries. However, the financial and emotional fallout from being a victim of theft is very serious.
3. Assault
Assault involves intentionally harming another person. Some examples of assault include punching, kicking, and hitting, but it can also involve showing a deadly weapon to the victim, even if the victim was not harmed physically. If there is reasonable cause to believe that displaying the weapon was a threat of harm, then that can be enough to charge someone with assault. The two types of assault are simple assault and aggravated assault, which vary by the amount of physical harm done, and punishments are given accordingly.
These are three of the most common reasons why people get arrested.