Violent Crimes Lawyer Compton, CA. Fighting violent crimes charges is critical to your future. They risk torpedoing your reputation, ruining your career, and perhaps worst yet, a trip to jail or prison. But all hope is not lost. And when you call the Law Offices of David S. Chesley, Inc., you are hiring a team that knows how to safeguard you from these legal and personal 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 expert Compton, CA, violent crimes defense lawyers will examine your case, tell you the truth about your situation, and develop defensive tactics that can be used for your situation. We know that every case is unique and treat every client with respect. If you need to create your defense, call (800) 755-5174 or send us a note online now for a free, private consultation to discuss your case.
The Law Offices of David S. Chesley's Process to Defend You Against Violent Crimes Allegations
Our team of Compton, CA, criminal defense lawyers are aware of how complex violent crimes allegations are, and we give each of our clients' cases a tailored defense. Here's how we'll do that for your case:
- Learn About Your Story – When we build a defense, it all starts with you. You can be honest with us about everything, and we'll start with your perspective.
- Research the Statutes and Your Case – We'll investigate the charges and Compton, CA, violent crime law specificsIf there are any quirks that are applicable to your case, we'll find them.
- Craft a Defense Strategy – Our lawyers will recommend a defensive strategy such as defense of others, consent, or false allegations.
- Negotiatiate With the State – We won't back down in negotiations; we'll fight to secure a plea deal that protects your interests.
- Fight At Trial – If your case reaches 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
Violent crimes in California encompass a wide range of offenses, from simple assault to more severe acts like armed robbery or kidnapping. When you've been accused of a violent crime in Compton, CA, the state must 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). Victim testimony plays a key role, but cross-examination can reveal inconsistencies or false accusations.
As an example of the variety of case types, the difference between assault and battery in California is critical: Assault (Penal Code 240) involves an attempt or threat to harm, while battery (Penal Code 242) involves actually causing harm. Each of these can be misdemeanors or felonies, depending on severity. 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. At the Law Offices of David S. Chesley, we will fight for your freedom and protect your rights, mounting a tenacious defense against all charges.
Major Compton, CA, Violent Crime Categories 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." Most people aren't aware that to be guilty of assault, there only has to be an attempt at causing harm, not necessarily actually cause harm.
Simple assault charges can already get you months in prison and a $1,000 fine, but there are several more serious variations of them. Aggravated assault is just that: assault with intent to cause serious bodily injury. Closely related is assault with a deadly weapon: Attempts to harm while using a non-firearm weapon. These variations don't actually have statutes of their own, and instead are nicknames used to describe specific assault cases
As discussed above, assault only requires an attempt to cause harm. Battery occurs when harm is actually done, instead of simply being attempted. You'll find that in many cases, if you're accused of battery in Compton, CA, you'll also be accused of assault. Meanwhile, 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.
We also commonly defend reckless endangerment charges in Compton, CA. This can include reckless driving, child endangerment, and similar charges. As a result of the difference in individual laws, it's paramount to work with a violent crimes lawyer who knows not only how to defend against individual charges, but also the combinations of them.
Our violent crime defense attorneys can also help you fight the following charges in Compton, CA,:
- False Imprisonment: This is defined as an incident when one person wrongfully restrains or confines another, for example, locking another person in a room.
- Kidnapping: Kidnapping is different from false imprisonment because it involves forcibly moving a person from one location to another.
- Human Trafficking: As opposed to the above allegations, human trafficking is done for particular, extra grim purposes like forced labor or sex.
- Stalking: California defines stalking as repeatedly following or harassing another person, and making a related 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 used for particularly grisly allegations of harm, wherein the action was performed for a sadistic purpose.
- Mayhem: What was once a battery charge can be elevated to mayhem if certain circumstances apply, such as the severing of someone's limb.
- Arson: Arson charges allege that you intentionally lit something on fire that you weren't allowed to.
- 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
The right to bear arms comes with many restrictions and responsibilities in Compton, CA. California firearm offenses can result from any number of statute violations, and you can get in trouble for something as simple as unlawful possession.
Most commonly, possession charges are related to a felon in possession of a firearm, but you could also face them for having a concealed firearm without a permit or a felon possessing ammunition.
While any Compton, CA, firearm charges are significant, one thing that can make a big difference is how you supposedly used the gun. Brandishing a weapon does not typically involve firing the gun, but instead using it to make a threat. Most of the time this is charged as a misdemeanor.
Meanwhile, discharging a firearm can greatly increase the punishment you're facing. Particularly for incidents such as a drive-by shooting or shooting at an inhabited dwelling, the penalties are very harsh.
An expert Compton, CA, violent crimes defense attorney will protect you from the legal consequences of these charges, including 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 isn't just battery on your spouse; it includes injuries of all kinds, 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.
Domestic violence charges aren't the only ones that are defined by the alleged victim. Child abuse charges are saved for when someone alleged hurt a child on purpose, meanwhile child endangerment consists of putting a child at risk of harm, either intentionally or unintentionally. 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 also defend against 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 Compton, CA, violent crime cases are rooted in some alleged act of violence. That said, you can also need to fight heightened charges and/or sentencing enhancement for special circumstances.
One way we frequently see penalties increased is through gang enhancements. If a different crime was committed as a part 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 can be found guilty of conspiracy if you collaborate with another person to break the law, and either one of you takes action towards committing that crime.
Another common sentence enhancement is when an alleged action is charged as a hate crime. While hate crimes can be standalone offenses, they are often used as enhancements to other crimes. The prosecution in Compton, CA may charge another crime as a hate crime if the alleged offender committed the crime as an attack against a specific protected group.
Additionally, our Compton, CA, violent crimes attorneys can help protect you against 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, if you are convicted of a new felony, the sentence will be doubled, and you will have a harder time securing early release. When convicted and given a third strike, the penalty could be 25-years-to-life in prison, with additional restraints on early release.
Procedural and Governance Charges Defense Lawyers
When you get into an altercation with the police in Compton, CA, you can expect to face extra harsh violent crime charges. Assault on a police officer can result in more prison time than if the assault was against a non-officer, 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 this can broadly apply to anything done to get in their way, whether or not they were trying to arrest you.
For the majority of violent crime charges, you'll be up against the local Compton, CA prosecution. Sometimes, though, a federal prosecutor will take charge. 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 represent you against federal crimes as well as state charges.
Robbery and Violent Crimes Intersections: Armed Robbery, Carjacking, and Burglary
Robbery lawyer services are essential if you're facing charges like carjacking (PC 215). Carjacking goes beyond grand theft: While grand theft auto involves the taking of a vehicle without its owner's permission, it doesn't necessarily include any interaction with the owners themselves. Carjacking, on the other hand, does involve a forceful interaction with the owner. Because of this, it carries a harsher penalty because of its violent nature, up to 9 years in prison.
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 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 need high-quality defense lawyers. When you're deciding on an attorney to defend you in Compton, CA, it's important to hire someone 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 defense results.
- Expansive Legal Experience: The Law Offices of David S. Chesley, Inc., has over 50 years of combined law experience, including time as prosecutors, judges, and police officers. We have inside knowledge of the ways the state builds its case against you, and how to poke holes in it.
- Relationships in Your Area's Court: Our team of attorneys cover cases across the state, including in Compton, CA. We have relationships with local prosecutors and judges, and will use them to your advantage.
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 those qualities.
Three Strikes Law Defense in Compton, CA
California's Three Strikes Law (Penal Code 667) can greatly impact violent crimes charges in Compton, CA. 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. Because of this, it's even more critical for you to work with an expert violent crimes defense lawyer if you have any prior convictions on your record.
As a violent crime defense attorney, I dedicate extensive resources to Three Strikes cases. Key strike eligible offenses include armed robbery, assault with a deadly weapon, and kidnapping. On your second strike, sentences are doubled, and on your third, you can be facing a life sentence.
Defense Strategies Against Three Strikes Charges in Compton, CA:
- Romero Motions: We file Romero motions to strike priors if they're old, minor, or unjust. Success rates are high with compelling arguments, like rehabilitation or procedural errors in old cases.
- Resentencing Petitions: Due to updated laws, people with prior Three Strikes convictions can petition to have their sentence reduced. Our legal team will petition for a reduction in sentences when your 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. 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. We can also look into prior cases to see if there were any procedural errors that should have resulted in an acquittal.
- Impact on Parole and Your Future: Strikes delay parole eligibility. We advocate for early release or expungement where possible.
If you're facing Three Strikes charges in Compton, 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.
Three Strikes disproportionately affects minorities and low-income areas like parts of Compton, CA. Whatever the future holds, in the present, you need a leading three strikes defense attorney. If searching "California Three Strikes Law defense," know it's winnable—contact me to review your priors.
Tenatious Defenses Against Violent Crime Charges – Call Our Legal Team Today
You need help when you're fighting against violent crimes allegations. The laws are complicated. The Compton, CA, district attorney is frightening. And the penalties are tough. Without an expert violent crimes lawyer to defend you, your innocence and constitutional rights are in danger.
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 faster. We confront the charges. We start every case by listening to our client, and defend your rights from the day you call until the case is concluded.
Contact us now to begin building your defense. Connect with us at (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 defend you.
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