When the Stakes Are Highest, You Need Former Prosecutors on Your Side
Violent crime charges in Delaware carry some of the most severe penalties in criminal law. Assault, robbery, domestic violence, aggravated assault, manslaughter, and other felonies can result in lengthy prison sentences, mandatory minimums, and habitual offender enhancements that compound the damage. If you have been charged with a violent crime, the state will pursue conviction aggressively — and your defense must match that intensity.
George & Vyas are former prosecutors who have handled violent crime cases from the state's perspective. We know how law enforcement builds these cases, where evidence is weak, how witnesses are pressured, and where constitutional violations often hide. We use that experience to dismantle the prosecution's narrative and fight for the best possible outcome. We challenge probable cause, identify mistaken identity, develop self-defense claims, and mount constitutional challenges to illegally obtained evidence.
Assault & Battery Defense
Defending against simple and aggravated assault charges by challenging witness credibility, presenting self-defense claims, and questioning the extent of injuries alleged.
Robbery Defense
Fighting theft and force allegations by challenging identification, proving lack of intent, and suppressing illegally obtained confessions or evidence.
Domestic Violence Defense
Defending against domestic violence charges while protecting your rights and addressing the unique pressures in these sensitive cases.
Aggravated Offenses
Defending against serious felonies including aggravated assault, manslaughter, and other charges carrying mandatory minimums and enhanced penalties.
Mandatory Minimums and Habitual Offender Enhancements Change Everything
Delaware's penalties for violent crimes are exceptionally severe. Many violent felonies carry mandatory minimum sentences that eliminate judicial discretion. Habitual offender enhancements — triggered by prior convictions — can double or triple sentences. A seemingly straightforward assault case can result in years of incarceration, and a robbery conviction can mean a decade or more in prison.
That severity is precisely why aggressive defense from the very beginning is critical. Every motion filed, every piece of evidence challenged, and every constitutional violation pursued can make an enormous difference in the outcome. We treat violent crime defense with the urgency and intensity these charges demand.
How We Fight Violent Crime Charges
Effective violent crime defense requires multiple strategies working in concert:
Self-Defense Claims
Delaware law permits the use of force to defend yourself from unlawful harm. We develop and present self-defense claims when the evidence supports your reasonable belief that force was necessary.
Mistaken Identity
Many violent crime convictions rely on eyewitness identification that is unreliable or outright wrong. We challenge identification evidence through cross-examination, expert testimony, and motion practice.
Lack of Intent
Some violent crime charges require proof of specific intent. We challenge whether the state can prove beyond a reasonable doubt that you acted with the required mental state.
Constitutional Challenges
Searches, seizures, confessions, and eyewitness procedures often violate constitutional protections. We file motions to suppress illegally obtained evidence that the state's case may depend on.
Aggressive Cross-Examination and Evidentiary Challenges
Violent crime cases often rest on witness testimony that is unreliable, conflicted, or tainted by police pressure. We aggressively cross-examine witnesses, expose inconsistencies in their accounts, challenge their memory and perception, and demonstrate bias or motivation to lie. We also challenge evidence collection procedures, forensic analysis, and the chain of custody of physical evidence.
As former prosecutors, we know how the state presents these cases and where the weaknesses typically emerge. We exploit those weaknesses relentlessly.
Violent Crime Defense FAQ
What are the penalties for violent crimes in Delaware?
Delaware imposes severe penalties for violent crime convictions, including mandatory minimums for many offenses. Felonies like robbery, aggravated assault, and domestic violence can result in substantial prison sentences. Repeat offenders face habitual offender enhancements that dramatically increase sentences. The specific penalties depend on the offense, prior record, and other factors — which is why aggressive defense is essential.
What is a self-defense claim in Delaware?
Delaware law permits the use of force in self-defense when you reasonably believe force is necessary to defend yourself or another person from unlawful harm. The key is that your response must have been proportional and reasonable under the circumstances. We evaluate whether the evidence supports a self-defense claim and pursue this defense aggressively when applicable.
Can charges be dismissed if evidence was obtained unconstitutionally?
Yes. If evidence was obtained through an unconstitutional search, improper interrogation, or other Fourth or Fifth Amendment violations, we file motions to suppress that evidence. If the state's case depends on that evidence, suppression can result in dismissal. As former prosecutors, we know exactly how to identify and challenge these constitutional violations.
Have more questions? Schedule a free consultation or call 302-735-8401.