Crime Rates in the U.S.: New Mexico Most Dangerous, New Hampshire Safest – State-by-State Safety and Legal Needs
According to Forbes Advisor, New Mexico is the most dangerous state in the U.S. with the highest rate of violent crimes while New Hampshire is the safest. The study looked at different types of crimes and the chances of becoming a victim to get a full picture of safety. By examining data on violent and property crimes the findings highlight how safety varies from state to state. This information helps understand the need for criminal defense lawyers in places like New York, Vermont and California each with its own crime challenges.
Is Crime Rates Rising in the U.S.?
While property crimes are happening more often violent crime in the U.S. dropped by 1.7% in 2022 and murders and manslaughter cases went down by 6.1%. This is good news but it’s important to remember that murder rates jumped by 30% during the pandemic in 2020 with over 75% of these crimes involving guns. Young Americans and disadvantaged communities were hit the hardest both in rural and urban areas. Despite what some might think the increase in murders wasn’t just in liberal cities like New York and Chicago; red states’ urban areas saw similar rises meaning defense lawyers everywhere were equally busy.
READ ALSO: The Impact of Rising Temperatures on Crime Rates in the U.S. – What To Know!
The Most Dangerous States
The most dangerous states in the U.S. are found in many regions but Southern states are hit the hardest. New Mexico is the most dangerous with high violent and property crime rates. Some blame 2016 criminal justice reforms that released more defendants before trial but factors like high population and low income also play a role. Arkansas and Louisiana are next on the list being among the poorest states while Colorado and California which are among the richest also face high crime rates due to income inequality.
The Safest States
When it comes to the safest states in the U.S. New England and the Northeast stand out as the best places to visit or live. New Hampshire, Maine, Rhode Island and Connecticut are four of the five safest states with New Jersey also making the list. The low crime rates in these states can be attributed to their smaller and more uniform populations, high levels of education and higher median incomes. These factors contribute to the overall safety and security of the region.
Crime Rates Changes since 2019
Crime rates change over time due to shifting policies and populations but some clear trends have emerged in recent years. Assaults involving guns and carjackings have become much more common. On the other hand shoplifting rates have declined as many stores have implemented measures to reduce theft such as restricting access to commonly stolen items. In fact, there was a 2% drop in shoplifting in 2023 compared to 2019 highlighting the effectiveness of these preventative strategies.
The Most Common Arrest in Each State
Recent data reveals the most common reasons Americans are arrested across states. Drug violations where individuals are caught with illegal drugs or related items top the list. Simple assault involving threats or physical harm causing fear follows closely often leading to battery charges. Theft known as larceny where personal property is stolen without permission is also a frequent cause of arrest. Driving under the influence when individuals operate vehicles after drinking too much alcohol or using drugs is another major offense. Lastly, arrests for illegally possessing weapons especially banned firearms also feature prominently. These findings highlight the various types of crimes that lead to arrests across the country.