Violent Crimes Lawyer Chatsworth, CA. We know how overwhelming it can be to be facing violent crime accusations. They risk wrecking your reputation, setting back your career, and 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 are hiring a team that knows how to safeguard you from these devestating consequences. We will fight to protect you from violent crime accusations in each of the below categories (and more):
- Assault, Threats, and Interpersonal Harm
- Firearm Mishandling
- Family and Animal Abuse
- Sentencing Enhancements
- Procedural and Governance Charges
Our skillful Chatsworth, CA, violent crimes defense lawyers will investigate your case, be honest with our recommendations, and develop defense tactics that should be effective for your circumstances. We know that every case is unique and treat every client with respect. If you need to build your defense, call us at (800) 755-5174 or contact us online now for a no-obligation, private consultation.
The Law Offices of David S. Chesley's Process to Defend You Against Violent Crimes Charges
Our team of Chatsworth, CA, criminal defense lawyers are aware of how complex violent crimes allegations are, and we build a defense that's suited to your specific case. It all starts with the following steps:
- Learn About Your Story – Every case starts with our client. You can be honest with us about everything, and we'll start with your perspective.
- Research the Law and Your Case – We'll research the charges and Chatsworth, CA, violent crime law specificsIf there are any quirks that are applicable to your case, we'll find them.
- Put Together a Defense Strategy – We'll recommend a defensive strategy such as defense of others, lack of intent, or procedural error.
- Plea Bargain With the State – Any time we communicate with the Chatsworth prosecution about your case, we will stand strong to find a deal that works for you.
- Fight At Trial – If there is a trial, we'll present our matchless defense in court and show the judge and/or jury your side of the story.
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. The Chatsworth, CA, prosecution, often led by the District Attorney, needs to prove elements like intent and harm beyond a reasonable doubt. After an arrest, you face an arraignment hearing, where you are told about the specific charges you're facing. Violent crimes charges carry some of the harshes penalties in California, especially if they are charged as a felony (as opposed to a misdemeanor). When arguing these cases, medical records, witness testimony, and digital evidence are often central to the argument.
If you're curious about violent crime distinctions, the difference between assault and battery in California is critical: Assault (Penal Code 240) occurs when one person threatens or attempts to hurt another, meanwhile battery (Penal Code 242) requires actual physical contact. Each of these can be misdemeanors or felonies, depending on severity. Outcomes vary a lot depending on the specific charges and past history of the alleged offender. First-time offenders facing misdemeanor charges are more likely to avoid prison, but aggravating factors like a weapon could mean jail time. Our team of violent crimes lawyers uses a varitey of defense strategies depending on the circumstances, including self-defense, claiming rights violation, and showing alibis.
Major Chatsworth, CA, Violent Crime Allegations We Defend
Assault, Threats, and Interpersonal Harm Defense Lawyers
If you hear the phrase 'violent crimes,' assault is probably one of the first to come to mind. What's interesting about it is that no harm has to actually be done. To be guilty of assault, one has to attempt "a violent injury on the person of another." Many people are unaware that to be guilty of assault, one only has to attempt to cause harm, regardless of whether or not you actually cause harm.
Simple assault charges are usually a misdemeanor, however the line can be fuzzy between simple assault and some of it's more serious versions. Aggravated assault types of charges stem from attempts to cause serious harm, rather than just harm in general. Another similar one is assault with a deadly weapon: Committing assault while using a non-firearm weapon. These variations aren't official charges, but rather subcategories for more serious assault charges
Now that we've covered assault, let's discuss battery. Battery occurs when harm is actually done, rather than simply being attempted. In Chatsworth, CA, it's common to be charged with both at the same time after an altercation. On the flip side, criminal threats charges can result even from a nonviolent altercation. All you have to do is intimidate someone. You can be found guilty even if you didn't have the ability to carry out the threats.
Another important set of charges we commonly defend against in this category is reckless endangerment charges. This can include reckless driving, child endangerment, and similar charges. Due to the difference in individual laws, it's paramount to find a violent crimes lawyer who knows not only how to defend against individual charges, but also the combinations of them.
Our lawyers also defend the following violent crimes charges in Chatsworth, CA,:
- False Imprisonment: False imprisonment occcurs when an individual detaining another without just cause, for example, locking another person in a room.
- Kidnapping: Kidnapping consists of taking a person from one location to another against their will.
- Human Trafficking: As opposed to the above allegations, human trafficking is done for particular, extra heinous purposes such as 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: Sometimes, criminal threats charges might be referred to as terrorist threats, if they are especially bad – you're also likely to see hate crime charges in these cases.
- Torture: Torture is a specific, grevious category of attack done for reasons such as revenge or extortion.
- Mayhem: Mayhem is like a more advanced version of battery, though in this case, a permanent disfigurement or disability must have been caused.
- Arson: Arson involves the intentional and unlawful burning of property, as opposed to reckless burning, which is an unintentional version of the same things.
- Rioting: RIoting can either consist of starting a riot or participating in one, and is normally a misdemeanor unless it occurs in a jail and/or someone is seriously harmed.
Firearm Mishandling Defense Lawyers
Due to state law, you're not able to just do whatever you please with a gun in Chatsworth, CA. California firearm offenses cover a large swath of statutes, and you can get in trouble for something as simple as unlawful possession.
Most commonly, unlawful possession charges are related to a felon in possession of a firearm, but they could also be the result of carrying a concealed firearm when you don't have a permit or a felon possessing ammunition.
While all Chatsworth, CA, gun charges are serious, the way the firearm was (and wasn't) allegedly used can make a big difference. Brandishing a weapon is when one person shows another a gun (or other weapon) to intimidate them, not necessarily firing it. Most of the time this is charged as a misdemeanor.
On the contrary, discharging a firearm will frequently get you harsher sentences. Especially for incidents such as a drive-by shooting or shooting at an inhabited dwelling, you can be looking at years in prison and/or thousands of dollars in fines.
An experienced Chatsworth, CA, violent crimes defense attorney will fight no just to keep you out of prison, but also to prevent further restrictions on your Second Amendment rights.
Family and Animal Abuse Defense Lawyers
Violent crime charges are bad enough on their own. However, the stigma and penalties are even worse when spouses, children, or other family members are affected. Domestic violence has a wider definition than battery on your spouse; it includes any actual harm caused, threats of abuse, and even just making someone think that they could be injured. And for it to qualify as 'domestic,' the alleged victim can be anyone from your spouse to your child to your roommate.
Crimes against children also have their own specific legal categories. Child abuse charges are saved for when someone alleged hurt a child on purpose, meanwhile child endangerment includes either negligently or purposefully putting a child in danger. These charges are often filed together, intensifying their seriousness.
Our household violent crimes defense lawyers can help with more than just alleged conflicts between spouses and children. 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
If you're facing violent crime charges in Chatsworth, CA, there's a good chance that they're one of the ones above. But you could also need to fight heightened charges and/or sentencing enhancement if your case meets certain criteria.
In many cases, the punishments can be heightened via gang enhancements. If a crime was committed in the furtherance of gang activities, anywhere from 4 years to life can be added onto the sentence, depending on the alleged crime. Conspiracy charges are another group-related charge. You could be convicted of conspiracy if you collaborate with someone else to commit a crime, and either one of you does something overt to advance the plan.
You could also see increased penalties if you're being charged with a hate crime. Hate crime charges can be their own case, but, you can also see them used as enhancements to other charges. The district attorney in Chatsworth, CA is likely to apply a hate crime label if they believe that the alleged offender committed the crime as an attack against a specific protected group.
Finally, our Chatsworth, CA, violent crimes attorneys can help protect you from California's three strikes law. For alleged repeat offenders, this law can become a tremendous hurdle. Previous felony convictions may count as "strikes" against you. With one prior strike, sentences for felony convictions are doubled, and you will have a harder time securing early release. If a conviction would be your third strike, the penalty could be 25-years-to-life in prison, with further limitations on parole.
Procedural and Governance Charges Defense Lawyers
When you get into an altercation with the police in Chatsworth, CA, you can expect to face extra harsh violent crime charges. Assault on a police officer is more heavily penalized than assault against other civilians, while resisting arrest covers actions ranging from stealing a police officers gun to just acting disobediently. Obstructing a police officer is a similar category of charges, though these ones aren't contingent on you being arrested, and apply more broadly to anything you do to prevent a police officer from doing they job.
These charges, as well as all the charges listed above, are most often handled by the Chatsworth, CA, local prosecutor. But for more serious cases, a federal prosecutor will take charge. You don't want to go to federal court alone. You don't want to face the full force of the United States government without help. The Law Offices of David S. Chesley, Inc., is equipped to defend you against 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
Violent Robbery Defense Lawyer: Armed Robbery, Carjacking, and Burglary
You need a robbery defense lawyer if you're up against 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..
Without a leading violent robbery defense lawyer, you could be facing serious felony charges without a path out. At the Law Offices of David S. Chesley, we will fight to get your charges reduced and case dismissed. If you're on parole or have prior convictions, you could face sentencing enhancements if convicted. Restraining orders may follow if violence is alleged, impacting your life long-term.
Top 3 Violent Crimes Defense Lawyer Qualities
Violent crimes charges require top-tier defense attorneys. When you're deciding on an attorney to fight your case in Chatsworth, CA, 'good enough' isn't good enough. You want a legal team with the below 3 qualities:
- A History of Success: You want a lawyer who knows how to fight your specific charge. Our team has a history of successful violent crime case results.
- Expansive Legal Experience: We have over 50 years of combined courtroom experience, including time as prosecutors, judges, and police officers. We have experience in how the state prosecutes these cases, and how to fight against them.
- Relationships in Your Area's Court: Our team of attorneys cover cases across the state, including in Chatsworth, CA. We have relationships with local prosecutors and judges, and will lean on them to secure a favorable outcome.
With a legal team with these qualifications defending you from violent crimes allegations, you'll get the best chance of a positive outcome. And with the Law Offices of David S. Chesley, Inc., you'll get someone with all those properties.
California Three Strikes Law Defense: A Significant Focus for Local Clients
California's Three Strikes Law (Penal Code 667) is important to keep in mind for violent crimes charges in Chatsworth, CA. The three strikes law assigns a "strike" to each alleged offender for serious or violent felony convictions. After the third, it requires the judge to sentence the alleged offender anywhere from 25 years to life. Even non-violent third strikes once triggered life sentences until Proposition 36 reformed it in 2012, allowing resentencing for some.
You need a law office with extensive resources to fight against Three Strikes cases. And the Law Offices of David S. Chesley has those resources. 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.
Defense Strategies Under Three Strikes:
- Challenging Prior Strikes: Romero motions can be used to request a judge to remove an existing strike on your record. Success rates are high with compelling arguments, like rehabilitation or procedural errors in old cases.
- Resentencing Petitions: Post-Prop 36, over 2,000 have been resentenced. 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: Even better than having prior strikes removed, we'll fight to prevent you getting one in the first place. This often comes from skillful plea negotiation. Showing lack of intent is key in thse cases.
- Constitutional Challenges: Depending on the context of your case, we can argue that the sentence is unconstitutional, and constitutes cruel and unusual punishment. Part of this can also involve fighting against prior convictions, and showing that they were unconstitutional or incorrect.
- Impact on Parole and Life After Conviction: On top of increasing your sentence, strikes 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.
If you're facing Three Strikes charges in Chatsworth, CA, you need to act fast to protect your freedom. The third strike can carry a life sentence. You need a lawyer with the resources to protect your future. And the Law Offices of David S. Chesley has those resources. We have a team of leading California attorneys ready to stand by you, from day one until the case is done.
There is much debate in Chatsworth, CA over whether California's Three Strikes law is just or not. Whatever the future holds, in the present, you need a leading three strikes defense attorney. If you're facing a third strike in California, it's easy to feel despair. But your case isn't over yet – call the Law Offices of David S. Chesley today to fight for your freedom.
Tenatious Protection Against Violent Crime Charges – Call Our Lawyers Today
You need help when you're fighting against violent crimes allegations. The legal system is convoluted. The Chatsworth, CA, prosecutor is intimidating. And the punishments are oppressive. If you're lacking an expert violent crimes lawyer at your side, your innocence and constitutional rights are at risk.
At the Law Offices of David S. Chesley, Inc., we don't take a passive approach to your defense. We don't settle for a bad plea deal, just because it was easier to get. We fight. We listen to your story, craft a resolute defense, and defend your freedom from when we first speak until the case is done.
Reach out to us now to start building your defense. Call (800) 755-5174 or let us know how we can help you on our online contact form to speak with a member of our team about how to fight these charges.
We also offer the following legal services in Chatsworth, CA:
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