Violent Crimes Lawyer Calabasas, CA. We know how overwhelming it can be to be facing violent crime accusations. They risk harming your reputation, setting back your career, and possibly worst of all, a lengthy prison sentence. But accusations are not the same as convictions. And when you work with the Law Offices of David S. Chesley, Inc., you have someone protecting you from these devestating consequences. We will tenatiously defend you against violent crimes accusations from any of categories (and more):
- Assault, Threats, and Interpersonal Harm
- Firearm Mishandling
- Family and Animal Abuse
- Sentencing Enhancements
- Procedural and Governance Charges
Our skillful Calabasas, CA, violent crimes defense lawyers will examine your case, be honest with our recommendations, and find defensive tactics that can be used for your charges. We view your case, and you as a person, as unique and deserving of individual attention. If you need to create your defense, speak with one of our representatives (800) 755-5174 or tell us about your case online today for a free, private consultation to discuss your case.
How the Law Offices of David S. Chesley's Lawyers Defend You Against Violent Crimes Allegations
Our team of Calabasas, CA, criminal defense lawyers know that every violent crime case is unique, and we build a defense that's suited to your specific case. It all starts with the following steps:
- Learn About Your Story – We believe that you should be at the center of your defense. We want to hear your side of the story.
- Research the Statutes and Your Case – We'll investigate the charges and Calabasas, CA, violent crime law specifics, to see if there are any special circumstances which apply to you.
- Craft a Defense Strategy – We'll recommend a defensive strategy such as defense of others, lack of intent, or false allegations.
- Plea Bargain With the State – When speaking with the prosecutors, we will stand strong and demand the justice you deserve.
- Fight At Trial – If your case reaches trial, we'll stick with you from start to finish, fighting for a positive outcome.
Understanding Violent Crimes in California: Felony vs. Misdemeanor Charges
In California, "violent crimes" is wide category, including everything from domestic violence to drive-by shootings to firearm offenses. Before you can be conficted in Calabasas, CA, the state must prove elements like your culpability beyond a reasonable doubt. After an investigation, if the state believes it has enough evidence against you, they will make formal charges against you. Felony charges carry harsher penalties, including state prison time, while misdemeanors might result in county jail, probation, or fines. Several of these cases hinge on testimony as much as physical evidence — our attorneys will dissect alleged victim testimony in cross-examination and show your side of the story.
For instance, let's look at the difference between assault charges and battery charges in California: Assault (Penal Code 240) involves an attempt or threat to harm, meanwhile battery (Penal Code 242) goes a step further, with one person successfully, intentionally harming another. Each of these can be charged as misdemeanors or felonies, with the state making that decision based on the circumstances. If you're facing violent crime charges, the potential sentence depends a lot on the context. Probation is more likely if you don't have any prior convictions on your record, but repeat offenders or felony charges are more likely to face harsh penalties. We focus on defense strategies like procedural errors in the arrest or lack of intent to mitigate outcomes.
Major Calabasas, CA, Violent Crime Charges We Defend
Assault, Threats, and Interpersonal Harm Defense Lawyers
Assault is one of the most commont types of violent crimes in California. While you might be picturing cuts and bruises, California law actually describes assault as an attempt to inflict "a violent injury on somebody." A lot of people are unaware that to be guilty of assault, there only has to be an attempt at causing harm, regardless of whether or not you actually cause harm.
Simple assault charges can already get you months in prison and a $1,000 fine, but you could also potentially face a severe variation on the charges. Aggravated assault charge types in particular are very similar to assault: they normally requires that the alleged offender was trying to cause 'serious' harm rather than general harm. Another similar one is assault with a deadly weapon: Attempts to harm while using a weapon other than a gun. These variations aren't literally written into California law, but instead are used to describe specific types of "assault" charges
Now that we've covered assault, let's discuss battery. Battery occurs when harm is actually done, instead of just being attempted. In Calabasas, CA, it's common to be charged with both at the same time after an altercation. On the other hand, criminal threats charges can result even from a nonviolent altercation. All you have to do is intimidate someone. Regardless of whether you wanted to (or even could) follow through on the threats, you can be found guilty.
Reckless endangerment charges are another set of charges that are typical in Calabasas, CA. This can include reckless driving, child endangerment, and similar charges. As a result of the difference in each of the statutes, you need to hire a violent crimes lawyer who can protect you from any of the possible charges.
If you're facing other violent crimes charges, we can help: Here are some other interpersonal harm charges we defend in Calabasas, CA,:
- False Imprisonment: This is defined as an incident when one person confines another to a space against their will, for example, locking another person in a room.
- Kidnapping: Whereas false imprisonment confines a person to one location, kidnapping involves moving that person to a new location.
- Human Trafficking: Human Trafficking is similar to kidnapping or false imprisonment, but is done for specific, extra heinous purposes like forced labor or sex.
- Stalking: California stalking law requires more than just following another person who doesn't like it – it also requires that the accused make a credible threat.
- Terrorist Threats: Terrorist threats are another form of criminal threats – you're also likely to see hate crime charges in these cases.
- Torture: Torture goes beyond battery and includes serious injuries, done to make the alleged victim suffer.
- Mayhem: If a fight resulted in the permanent scarring of another person, the aggressor can be charged with mayhem.
- Arson: Whether or not you burned something on purpose is the key difference between arson charges and reckless burning.
- Rioting: Rioting charges can be split into inciting the riot or participating in it, but both are usually charged as misdemeanors.
Firearm Mishandling Defense Lawyers
Due to state law, you're not able to just do whatever you please with a gun in Calabasas, CA. California firearm offenses cover a large swath of statutes, sometimes even just being the result of unlawful possession.
Commonly, unlawful possession charges are related to a felon in possession of a firearm, but it could also be related to having a concealed firearm when you don't have a permit or a felon possessing ammunition.
While all Calabasas, CA, firearm charges are perilous, a major differentiator is whether you allegedly used the weapon or not. Brandishing a weapon is when one person shows another a gun (or other weapon) to intimidate them, not necessarily firing it. This is often prosecuted as a misdemeanor instead of a felony.
Meanwhile, discharging a firearm will frequently get you harsher sentences. Particularly for incidents such as a drive-by shooting or shooting at an inhabited dwelling, the penalties are very harsh.
An excellent Calabasas, CA, violent crimes defense attorney can not only protect you from a prison sentence and hefty fine, but also from further restrictions on your Second Amendment rights.
Family and Animal Abuse Defense Lawyers
The stakes are high for all kinds of violent crime allegations. But if family is involved, they get even scarier. Domestic violence goes beyond battery on your spouse; it includes intentional or unintentional harm, threats of abuse, and even just making someone think that they could be injured. Domestic violence charges are about more than just the alleged harm or danger, though — they're about who it supposedly was committed against. To qualify, the alleged victim must have held some kind of close relationship with the alleged offender, for example, romantic partners or parents who share a child.
If the alleged victim was a child, that can also affect which charges are filed. Child abuse charges are saved for when someone alleged hurt a child on purpose, meanwhile child endangerment could be any action that endangers a child, regardless of whether you meant to or not. These charges can be filed together, expanding their seriousness.
Our household violent crimes defense lawyers aren't limited to just conflicts between family members who live together. We can also help you fight animal cruelty charges, elder abuse charges, and, if an adolescent or child is the alleged offender, juvenile crime charges.
Sentencing Enhancement Defense Lawyers
The majority of Calabasas, CA, violent crime cases are rooted in some alleged act of violence. But you could also be up against heightened charges and/or sentencing enhancement if certain circumstances apply.
One of the most common examples is gang enhancements. When an alleged offender has a past history of supposed gang activity, and this new charge was in some way related to a gang, prison sentences can drastically increase, though exactly how much depends on the alleged crime. Conspiracy charges are closely related. You can be found guilty of conspiracy if you agree with someone else to commit a crime, and either one of you does something overt to advance the plan.
Another way you can see your sentence raised is if you're accused of a hate crime. While hate crimes can be standalone offenses, it's common for them to be used as enhancements to other charges. The prosecutor in Calabasas, CA may charge another crime as a hate crime if they believe that the alleged offender was motivated by hatred towards a demographic that the alleged victim belonged to.
Furthermore, our Calabasas, CA, violent crimes attorneys can help guard you from California's three strikes law. This law allows the government to keep track of your criminal history and assign "strikes" to certain felony convictions. With one prior strike, if you are convicted of a new felony, the sentence will be doubled, and you will have to wait significantly longer before earning eligibility for parole. With two prior strikes, you are facing 25-years-to-life in prison, with further restraints on early release.
Procedural and Governance Charges Defense Lawyers
If the alleged violent crime was committed against a law enforcement officer in Calabasas, CA, the allegations can be even more severe. Assault on a police officer can result in more prison time than if the assault was against a non-officer, while resisting arrest carries similarly harsher sentences for a wide array of alleged misconduct. Obstructing a police officer is a similar set of charges, though this can penalize you for any way you prevent an officer from doing their job, regardless of if they were trying to arrest you.
For the majority of violent crime charges, you'll be up against the local Calabasas, CA prosecution. But when the state views a case as extra severe, a federal prosecutor may fight against you. Federal court can be a whole different arena, and you need a law firm with the strength to fight for your rights against the United States government. The Law Offices of David S. Chesley, Inc., is prepared to be your defense attorney for federal crimes in addition to state charges.
Additional Miscellaneous Violent Crime Defense Services We Offer
- Aggravated Battery
- Assault With Force Likely to Produce Great Bodily Injury
- Battery On a Spouse or Cohabitant or Dating Partner
- Contempt for Violating a Domestic Violence Court Order
- Corporal Injury on a Spouse or Cohabitant
- Dissuading a Witness or Victim/Witness Intimidation
- Expungement/Record Clearance After Violent Crime Conviction
Robbery and Violent Crimes Intersections: Armed Robbery, Carjacking, and Burglary
You need a robbery defense lawyer if you're facing charges like robbery or home invasion. These can carry penalties up to 9 years or 20 years, respectively. The use of a weapon is often an enhancing factor for sentencing..
Plea negotiations play a key role in defending violent robbery charges. By working with the state, a skilled violent crimes defense attorney can potentially reduce charges to misdemeanors. If you're on parole or have any convictions on your record, these can trigger enhancements. Depending on the nature of the alleged crime and your relationship with the victim, you might alse be up against a restraining order.
Top 3 Violent Crimes Defense Lawyer Qualities
Violent crimes charges require top-tier defense attorneys. When you're deciding on a lawyer to fight your case in Calabasas, CA, you want someone with the below 3 qualities:
- A History of Success: You want to be represented by an attorney who knows the ins and outs of the California court system. Our team has a history of successful violent crime defense results.
- Expansive Legal Experience: Our team has over 50 years of combined law experience, including time as prosecutors, judges, and police officers. We know the ways the state prosecutes these cases, and how to fight against them.
- Local Relationships: We handle court cases all over California, including in Calabasas, CA. We have relationships with local prosecutors and judges, and will lean on them to secure a favorable outcome.
When fighting your violent crimes case, you don't want to gamble on an attorney who's unprepared or doesn't meet these criteria. And with the Law Offices of David S. Chesley, Inc., you'll get someone with all those properties.
Defending Against California's Three Strikes Law in Calabasas
California's Three Strikes Law (Penal Code 667) is a massive search trigger for Calabasas, CA, clients, as it dramatically enhances sentences for repeat offenders. This law can be devastating for repeat offenders, who face a sentence of 25 years to life after a third serious or violent felony conviction. If you have any prior strikes on your record, it's critical to work with a leading criminal defense attorney to protect your freedom.
At the Law Offices of David S. Chesley, we know what it takes to defend Three Strikes cases. Violent crimes like carjacking, assault, battery, and firearm offenses are all common sources of strikes. Repeat convictions lead to increased sentences, up to life in prison.
Calabasas, CA, Three Strikes Law Defense Strategies:
- Romero Motions: Romero motions can be used to request a judge to remove an existing strike on your record. These are more likely to be successful by showing flaws with the older case, or proof of rehabilitation.
- Resentencing Petitions: Due to updated laws, people with prior Three Strikes convictions can petition to have their sentence reduced. This has the potential to reduce charges from a life sentence down to time served, if the third strike was non-violent.
- Avoiding New Strikes: If your case is ongoing, we will argue for charges to be reduced down to misdemeanors when possible, avoiding a strike. Lack of intent defenses prevent strike enhancements.
- Constitutional Challenges: We argue cruel and unusual punishment, especially for disproportionate sentences. False accusations in priors can be exposed via new evidence.
- Impact on Parole and Your Future: Stirkes not only add onto your sentence: they also delay parole eligibility. A skilled criminal defense attorney like the ones at the Law Offices of David S. Chesley will fight for your early release and/or expungement of your record.
A Calabasas, CA, client with two priors faced a third strike for assault on a peace officer. By proving self-defense and procedural errors (improper Miranda), we got the charge reduced, avoiding life. The District Attorney often pushes hard, but jury trials reveal biases in victim testimony. With over 20 years defending Three Strikes, I've secured dismissals in 70% of cases by exploiting weaknesses.
There is much debate in Calabasas, CA over whether California's Three Strikes law is just or not. Reforms continue, but without aggressive defense, clients face lifelong consequences. If searching "California Three Strikes Law defense," know it's winnable—contact me to review your priors.
Ferocious Protection Against Violent Crime Charges – Call Us Today
Violent crimes charges are tough to fight on your own. The court system is complex. The Calabasas, CA, district attorney is intimidating. And the sentences are oppressive. If you're lacking an expert violent crimes lawyer to defend you, your freedom and constitutional rights are at risk.
At the Law Offices of David S. Chesley, Inc., we don't stand idly by and let the state build its case. We don't settle for a bad plea deal, just because it was the first one offered. We battle the state. We make a defense with you at the center, and fight for your freedom from when we first speak until the case is over.
Contact us now to begin building your defense. Call us at (800) 755-5174 or fill out our online contact form to speak with an attorney about how to protect your rights.
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