Violent Crimes Lawyer Corona, CA. We know how overwhelming it can be to be facing violent crime accusations. They risk harming your reputation, devastating your career, and worst yet, a long time in jail or prison. But you have a chance at a more positive outcome. And when you hire the Law Offices of David S. Chesley, Inc., you're getting expert legal representation to protect you from these consequences. We defend all of the following violent crime categories (and more):
- Assault, Threats, and Interpersonal Harm
- Firearm Mishandling
- Family and Animal Abuse
- Sentencing Enhancements
- Procedural and Governance Charges
Our expert Corona, CA, violent crimes defense lawyers will investigate your case, tell you the truth about your situation, and come up with defense tactics that should be effective for your circumstances. We view your case, and you as a person, as unique and deserving of individual attention. If you need to construct your defense, speak with one of our representatives (800) 755-5174 or fill out our contact form today for a no-obligation, confidential consultation to discuss your case.
The Law Offices of David S. Chesley's Process to Defend You Against Violent Crimes Allegations
Our team of Corona, CA, criminal defense lawyers are aware of how complex violent crimes allegations are, and we give each of our clients' cases a tailored defense. This is how we do it:
- Listen to Your Story – Every case starts with our client. We want to hear from you what really happened and why.
- Research the Law and Your Case – We'll investigate the charges and Corona, 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, mistaken identity, or false allegations.
- Plea Bargain With the State – For many cases, the easiest way to a positive outcome is through a plea deal. When we negotiate plea deals with the state, we don't give up and fight to get something favorable.
- Fight At Trial – If your case reaches trial, we'll make sure that the judge and/or jury see your side of the story, and you're properly represented against the accusations.
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 Corona, 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). 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.
As an example of the variety of case types, assault and battery are two separate offenses in Califoria, with different definitions: Assault (Penal Code 240) involves an attempt or threat to harm, meanwhile battery (Penal Code 242) requires actual physical contact. Both can be misdemeanors or felonies, depending on severity. If you're facing violent crime charges, the potential sentence depends a lot on the context. A first-time misdemeanor assault might lead to probation, 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 Corona, CA, Violent Crime Charges We Defend
Assault, Threats, and Interpersonal Harm Defense Lawyers
Assault is perhaps the most prototypical violent crime charge people thing of. 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 aren't aware that to be guilty of assault, there only has to be an attempt at causing harm, not necessarily actually cause harm.
While simple assault charges are harsh in and of themselves, you could also potentially face a severe variation on the charges. Aggravated assault is just that: assault with intent to cause serious bodily injury. Another similar one is assault with a deadly weapon: Attempts to harm while using a weapon other than a gun. These variations don't actually have statutes of their own, and instead are nicknames used to describe specific assault cases
You might be asking yourself now, "What's the difference between assault and battery?" Battery occurs when harm is actually done, instead of just being attempted. In Corona, CA, it's common to be charged with both at the same time after an altercation. On the other hand, criminal threats charges can occur completely over the phone, text, or verbally in person. They don't have to involve literal violence at all. You don't even have to be willing to follow through; "I didn't mean it" isn't a valid defense for these charges.
Another important set of charges we commonly defend against in this category is reckless endangerment charges. This can include reckless driving, child endangerment, and other charges along those lines. Due to the variation in each of the laws, it's paramount to hire a violent crimes lawyer who can protect you from any of the possible charges.
Our violent crime defense attorneys can also help you fight the following charges in Corona, CA,:
- False Imprisonment: This occurs when one person confines another to a space against their will, and while it might seem like a stretch, it could be as little as grabbing someone's arm (if they are attempting to leave).
- 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 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: Terrorist threats are another form of criminal threats – 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: 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 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
While most people do still have the right to own a firearm in Corona, CA, it comes with many constraints. California firearm offenses can result from any number of statute violations, sometimes even just being the result of unlawful possession.
In many cases, unlawful possession charges are related to a felon in possession of a firearm, but you could also face them for possessing a concealed firearm when you don't have a permit or a felon possessing ammunition.
While all Corona, CA, firearm charges are serious, 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. Especially in 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 expert Corona, 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. However, the stigma and penalties are even worse when spouses, children, or other family members are affected. Domestic violence goes beyond battery on your spouse; it includes intentional or unintentional harm, threats of abuse, and even just placing someone in fear of harm. And for it to qualify as 'domestic,' the alleged victim can be anyone from your spouse to your child to your roommate.
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 includes either negligently or purposefully putting a child in danger. These charges can be filed together, heightening their seriousness.
Our expert 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, in cases with youth defendants, juvenile crime charges.
Sentencing Enhancement Defense Lawyers
Some violent crime accusations are just that – the Corona, CA, prosecutor alleges that you committed an action that broke the law. However, you could also be up against elevated charges and/or sentencing enhancement for special circumstances.
In many cases, the punishments can be heightened via 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 convicted of conspiracy if you agree with someone else to break the law, and either one of you does something that furthers the commission of the crime.
You could also see increased penalties if you're being charged with a hate crime. Hate crime charges can be their own case, but, they are frequently used as enhancements to other charges. The district attorney in Corona, CA is likely to apply a hate crime label if they believe that the alleged offender was motivated by hatred towards a demographic that the alleged victim belonged to.
Additionally, our Corona, CA, violent crimes attorneys can help protect you against California's three strikes law. Under it, certain serious felonies are classified as "strikes" in your criminal history. With one prior strike, sentences for felony convictions are doubled, and you won't be eligible for parole until you've served 80% of the sentence. With two prior strikes, the penalty could be 25-years-to-life in prison, with additional limitations on parole.
Procedural and Governance Charges Defense Lawyers
When you get into an altercation with the police in Corona, CA, you can expect to face extra harsh violent crime charges. Assault on a police officer carries harsher penalties than simple assault, 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 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.
In most cases, if you're accused of a violent crime in Corona, CA, you'll be in municipal court against a local prosecuting attorney. But for more serious cases, a federal prosecutor will take charge. When you're up against the federal government, you need a powerful legal team on your side. The Law Offices of David S. Chesley, Inc., is prepared to represent 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 Robberies and Related Offenses: Armed Robbery, Carjacking, and Burglary
Robbery lawyer services are essential if you're up against charges like armed robbery, where force or fear is used to take property. Penalties can reach 9 years in prison, especially if a weapon is involved. First-degree burglary, entering a residence with intent to steal, is a felony with 2-6 years. Carjacking (PC 215) involves taking a vehicle by force, punishable by up to 9 years.
In one case, a client faced armed robbery charges after a misunderstanding during a transaction. By exposing false accusations and procedural errors, we secured a misdemeanor plea with no jail time. If you're on parole or have prior convictions, you could face harsher penalties. 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 need high-quality defense lawyers. When you're deciding on an attorney to defend your rights in Corona, 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 is know for our successful violent crime case results.
- Varied Legal Experience: Our team has over 50 years of combined courtroom experience, including time as prosecutors, judges, and police officers. We have experience in the ways the state tries to get violent crimes convictions, and how to fight for a positive outcome.
- Relationships in Your Area's Court: Our team of attorneys cover cases across the state, including in Corona, CA. We know local prosecutors and judges, and will lean on them to secure a favorable outcome.
To maximize your chances of beating violent crimes charges, you need lawyers with all of the above attributes. 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 a massive search trigger for Corona, CA, clients, as it dramatically enhances sentences for repeat offenders. 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.
At the Law Offices of David S. Chesley, we know what it takes to defend 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 Under Three Strikes:
- File 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.
- Motion for Resentencing: 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. Many of these cases hinge on showing a lack of intent on the alleged offender's part.
- Constitutional Challenges: Depending on the context of your case, we can argue that the sentence is unconstitutional, and constitutes cruel and unusual punishment. False accusations in priors can be exposed via new evidence.
- Impact on Parole and Life After Conviction: 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.
Three strikes charges are not something to take lightly. If you're facing a third strike in Corona, CA, you need to contact an attorney now. And we're prepared to help you. It doesn't matter how hard the prosecution fights, we will be with you every step of the way. Our experience and resources give us the tools we need to defend you.
Three Strikes disproportionately affects minorities and low-income areas like parts of Corona, CA. 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.
Tenatious Protection Against Violent Crime Charges – Call Us Right Away
Violent crimes charges are tough to fight on your own. The laws are convoluted. The Corona, CA, district attorney is powerful. And the penalties are grim. If you don't have 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 take a passive approach to your defense. We don't accept a poor plea deal, just because it was faster. We battle the state. We start every case by listening to our client, and protect your freedom from day one until the case is over.
Reach out to us now to begin building your defense. Call (800) 755-5174 or tell us about your case via our online contact form to speak with amember of our legal team about how to fight these charges.
We also offer the following legal services in Corona, CA:
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