In most states, crimes are categorized into violent and non-violent crimes. In the absence of physical violence, any criminal act that involves the harming, coercion, intimidation or harassment of another person is considered a crime of violence. Many jurisdictions categorize violent crimes as those where a victim or another person was deliberately placed in fear of their physical safety. Violent crimes in Arkansas include but are not limited to murder, aggravated assault, rape, battery and robbery.
Felonies are more serious crimes in Arkansas
Most states have varying degrees of crimes, including Arkansas. For instance, crimes are broken down into two general categories, felonies and misdemeanors. Felonies are crimes that carry punishment of one year or more in prison or death and include serious crimes like robbery, rape, aggravated assault and murder. Sometimes, the crime is considered a felony if a certain amount of money is stolen, if the defendant is guilty of criminal intent or if someone dies during the commission of a crime. Crimes that fall out of the definition of a felony are misdemeanors.
First degree murder in Arkansas
A man in Arkansas is suspected of killing two people in a Southwest Little Rock neighborhood. According to police, a fight broke out in this particular neighborhood and the victims allegedly suffered from what police described as cut wounds which police suspect led to their deaths. The man arrested is suspected of committing these murders and is facing two homicide charges and one charge of aggravated assault.
U.S. Supreme Court: Arkansas law unconstitutional
In a five- to-four ruling, the U.S. Supreme Court struck down an Arkansas law that imposed mandatory life sentences for juveniles convicted of murder, affirming its belief that children are to be treated differently in the court system. The Supreme Court did make it clear that if this type of punishment is imposed on a child on a discretionary basis, justification would have to be made under the Eighth Amendment's prohibition on cruel and unusual punishment.
Hallucinogens really do make you see colorful dancing bears
Our Little Rock, Arkansas, police officers constantly have to expand their definition of what constitutes an "open container." These days, it could be a package of gummy bears. While you may have already heard of youngsters soaking gummy candies in vodka to catch a buzz, this arrest proves there is more than one way to chew a gummy bear.
