An Oregon veteran with a history of PTSD has been arrested and charged following an incident outside a bar. According to police, the 30-year-old man stabbed another person six times. Prosecutors claim that the attack was unprovoked.
The man has been arrested and charged with a variety of violent crimes in the past. At the time of this latest incident, the man was on probation. According to authorities, the man committed a probation violation just by visiting the bar in the first place.
In this case, the man has been charged with aggravated harassment, unlawful use of a weapon, second-degree assault and first-degree assault. If he is found guilty, sentencing guidelines would require a prison sentence of more than seven years. The man's bail has been set at $510,000 and the judge in the case refused to lower it. He should be in court again in early June.
Probation violations, felony charges and other serious criminal offenses are taken seriously by Oregon courts. These types of incidents can activate a series of punishments that can take years away from a person's life. However, in these cases, people are entitled to a criminal defense.
Oregon residents should know that mitigating factors -- like a person's mental health status -- may be used to lower the penalties in a case. In some cases, people can use the opportunity to get help and rehabilitation instead of criminal punishments. But, in order to do this, proper evidence must be presented and certain procedures need to be followed. Other criminal defense strategies can also be employed to help reduce potential prison sentences, fines and probation time. Those facing criminal charges should make sure they understand these options following any arrest.
Source: The Oregonian, "Iraq veteran with PTSD accused of stabbing stranger seven times," Aimee Green, May 9, 2014
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