West Chester Crime Stats Released

In September of 2019, the FBI released its most recent crime statistics. The report details crime statistics across the U.S. for 2018, drawing from federal, state, city, and county databases. This year’s report reveals some interesting data for our own community of West Chester, PA.

Despite the decline in national crime statistics, people are still arrested and charged for crimes they didn’t commit. If you’ve been charged with a crime, you need someone who know how to get positive results on your side. West Chester criminal defense lawyer Michael J. Skinner has the knowledge, skill, and experience you need to deal with any criminal accusation.

To schedule a free consultation, call Skinner Law Firm at (610) 436-1410 or contact us online to discuss how we can help.

Decline in West Chester Crime Rates

Similar to the nationwide trend, the FBI’s report also shows a decline in West Chester crime statistics.

According to the report, there were 37 violent crimes in West Chester in 2018, compared to 50 the previous year. Property crimes like larceny, burglary, arson, and motor vehicle theft are also down.

Below are some other West Chester offenses on the decline:

• Rape – 11 cases in 2017, down to 7 cases in 2018
• Robbery – 18 cases in 2017, down to 11 cases in 2018
• Aggravated assault – 21 cases in 2017, down to 18 cases in 2018
• Larceny – 260 cases in 2017, down to 244 cases in 2018

While any decline in crime is good news, it’s important to recognize that the report does not provide any explanation, either nationally or in West Chester.

Some West Chester Charges See An Increase

While the overall rates are declining, some categories are on the rise:

• Murder – 1 case in 2018; no cases of murder in 2017
• Burglary – 46 cases in 2018, up from 36 cases in 2017
• Motor vehicle theft – 19 cases in 2018, up from 8 cases in 2017

As you can see, these offenses undercut the overall decline and suggest that the dip may be incidental. It is also interesting to note that while property crimes are down overall, burglary and motor vehicle theft saw significant increases.

Being Tough on Crime is Hard on Defendants

Declining crime statistics are always fodder for politicians, who pledge to take a tough stance on crime. This results in tremendous pressure on police and prosecutors to further reduce crime.

Aggressive enforcement often means short cuts by law enforcement and room for error regarding your rights. If you’ve been arrested and charged with a crime, you need an experienced criminal defense attorney who can protect your rights.

Arrested in West Chester? Contact Skinner Law Firm

A conviction for even a minor criminal offense can carry serious consequences – jail time, thousands of dollars in fines, and a criminal conviction on your permanent record. If you’ve been charged with a crime, the best thing you can do is contact an experienced criminal defense lawyer as soon as possible.

West Chester criminal defense attorney Michael J. Skinner provides clients with an aggressive defense to ensure that they get the best possible result. Call us at (610) 436-1410 or complete our online contact form to schedule a free consultation today.