What Crimes Increase In Summer?
What Crimes Increase In Summer?
Crime rates tend to follow as temperatures rise in the spring and summer months in the US. Criminologists have debated for decades why this happens, but certain crimes, especially violent ones, tend to rise in the summer. Learn below about why crime rates rise in the summer. In addition, if you have been charged with a crime in Texas, the League City criminal defense lawyers at Mark Diaz & Associates can help with your defense.
Research Confirms That Crimes Increase As The Weather Warms
There have been many studies that show crime rates rise in warm weather. In 2017, Drexel University researchers looked at crime data in Philadelphia over 10 years. They found higher incidents of violent crime and disorderly conduct on warmer days, even in the spring and fall. Also, the research showed that temperature effects on crime rates were strongest on warm weather days during usually cold months.
Another study in 2019 at USC looked at the link between violent crime and temperature in Los Angeles. The study found violent crime went up 5.7% on days when the temperature exceeded 85 F. Researchers also found that the relationship between warm weather and crime was more significant in lower-income communities.
Why Do Violent Crimes Happen More In Warm Weather?
Research confirms that many violent crimes happen more often in the summer and warm weather. Texas has plenty of heat, especially in the summer, so this can concern communities and law enforcement. But why do violent crimes happen more when the temperature rises? After all, if someone plans a violent crime, it seems logical they would do it no matter what the weather is. There are several possible explanations for this happening:
Heat
Many people become hot and uncomfortable outside when the weather is warm. This is the case in Texas, which is why so many people remain indoors between June and August.
However, the sticky, hot feeling can cause some people to get more upset and agitated. This can turn minor issues into significant arguments that lead to violence in some situations.
Longer Days
Many Texans enjoy being outside more in the summer with longer days. However, longer days mean more people are out interacting longer, which can lead to more crimes. For instance, more people are walking on or near the beach in Galveston in July compared to January. While most folks enjoy the outdoors, more people outside give criminals more chances to commit robbery, assault, and other violent crimes.
Alcohol
Research shows that consuming alcohol increases the chances of many crimes. Alcohol can make us angrier, irritable, impulsive, and more likely to exercise poor judgment. When the weather is sunny and warm in summer, it is natural for more people to gather and consume alcohol, and crime rates tend to rise.
Summer Vacation
More people are on vacation in the summer months, and kids are out of school. As a result, some juveniles have more time on their hands, and crime rates go up. In addition, research suggests that assault crimes rise in the summer, often committed by minors.
Crimes That Tend To Rise During The Summer
According to the FBI, the following are defined as violent crimes, which are more likely to occur in warm weather:
Murder
Murder is the worst violent crime, and it tends to happen more in Texas in the summer. There are several types of murder according to Texas law:
Capital Murder
This is the most severe type of murder in Texas. The range of punishment is either life in prison without the possibility of parole life or the death penalty.
To be convicted of capital murder, the prosecutor must prove beyond a reasonable doubt that you knowingly or intentionally caused someone’s death under a specific set of circumstances. Examples include murder for hire or murder that occurs during an aggravated robbery. While this charge is severe, our defense attorneys could argue that legal defenses apply such as self-defense.
Murder
To be convicted of this offense, the prosecutor only needs to prove that you intentionally or knowingly caused the death of another individual, or that a person intended to cause serious bodily injury to another, and commits an act clearly dangerous to human life that causes the death of another. It is a first-degree felony unless you can prove the crime was one of passion. The Texas Penal Code states that intent is required for a conviction.
Manslaughter
Manslaughter, according to Texas Penal Code 19.04, states that a crime occurs when you cause someone’s death because of reckless disregard for life. Manslaughter can be either voluntary or involuntary.
Robbery
Robbery in Texas is committing theft, the intent to permanently deprive someone of property, and while in the commission of that theft, the actor: intentionally, knowingly, or recklessly causes bodily injury to another, or threatens or places another in fear of imminent bodily injury or death.
A more serious version of this crime is aggravated robbery, which is the same offense as above but committed with additional aggravating circumstances. Such aggravating circumstances include: a deadly weapon that may have been used to commit the offense or the injury that was caused qualifies as serious bodily injury to name a few.
Robbery in this state is a second-degree felony, punishable by 2 to 20 years in prison and up to a $10,000 fine. Aggravated robbery is a first-degree felony, punishable by no less than 5 years and up to 99 years or life in prison.
Being armed with a weapon during the commission of robbery can lead to a lengthy prison sentence. This is a good reason to think twice about carrying a deadly weapon in the summer in Texas. In a moment of anger and passion, using a weapon in a crime can have dire consequences for your future.
If you are charged with this crime, your defense attorney may argue that you did not intend to deprive them of the property. After all, if you thought the property was yours, no crime was committed. Sometimes these charges are only the result of a mix-up, and if that was the case, your attorney can help.
Aggravated Assault
Aggravated assault in Texas is more common in the summer and is defined as assault that causes serious bodily injury or assault with a deadly weapon. This charge requires the prosecutor to prove the assault plus a deadly weapon, or that the injuries sustained amount to serious bodily injury.
The most significant difference between simple and aggravated assault is that assault is usually a misdemeanor. But aggravated assault is a second-degree felony in most cases, although some circumstances can make it a first-degree felony.
How To Avoid Arrests In The Summer
If you live in League City or elsewhere in Texas, you know it gets warm, sticky, and muggy in the summer months here. But there are some ways you can avoid legal trouble and the law when summer rolls around:
- Get indoors: If you notice you get frustrated and temperamental in the Texas heat, get out of the heat as soon as possible. Get inside in air conditioning or in the shade until you cool off. Have a cold, non-alcoholic beverage, too, to cool off.
- Think about why: If you tend to get angry in certain situations, think about why it is happening. For example, were you drinking alcohol or around people who upset you? Were you out in the heat too long? Understanding your anger can help you to avoid triggers and stay out of trouble.
- Go home: If you know that being out late in the heat makes you more likely to commit crimes, get home to stay out of trouble.
- For parents: You may want to set up a curfew for your juveniles this summer to ensure they are not engaging in criminal behavior at night.
What To Do If You Are Arrested
If you do get arrested in the heat of the summer, there are several things you can do to ensure a better outcome for your case.
First, do not provide a statement to the police when you are arrested. There is nothing you can say when you are arrested, that will improve your situation; it only makes things worse to say anything to law enforcement. So, always call your attorney if you have been arrested.
Second, do not resist arrest. Even if the charge ends up being groundless, resisting arrest will always lead to additional charges.
Third, always invoke your rights, including the right to remain silent and have an attorney. During the arrest, all you need to say is that you want to talk to your lawyer, and the questioning should cease.
Contact Our League City Criminal Defense Lawyers Now
Summer is coming in Texas and if you have been charged with a crime, you need a robust criminal defense strategy. Contact our League City criminal defense lawyers today at Mark Diaz & Associates at (409) 515-6170.