Violent Crimes Lawyer Culver City, CA. Any criminal accusations are serious, but few are as serious as violent crimes. They risk torpedoing your reputation, devastating your career, and perhaps worst of all, a long time in jail or prison. But all hope is not lost. And when you call the Law Offices of David S. Chesley, Inc., you get a shield that will guard 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 Culver City, CA, violent crimes defense lawyers will look into your case, be honest with our recommendations, and develop defensive tactics that will be effective for your situation. We know that every case is unique and treat every client with respect. If you're ready to build your defense, phone us at (800) 755-5174 or reach out online now for a no-obligation, confidential consultation to discuss your case.
How the Law Offices of David S. Chesley's Lawyers Defend You Against Violent Crimes Charges
Our team of Culver City, CA, criminal defense lawyers are aware of how complex violent crimes allegations are, and we design our defensive strategy around the specifics of your situation. It all starts with the following steps:
- Learn 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 Law and Your Case – We'll research the charges and Culver City, CA, violent crime law specificsIf there are any quirks that are applicable to your case, we'll find them.
- Build a Defense Strategy – Our lawyers will recommend a defensive strategy such as self-defense, mistaken identity, or procedural error.
- Negotiatiate With the State – Any time we communicate with the Culver City prosecution about your case, we will stand strong to find a deal that works for you.
- 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
In California, "violent crimes" is wide category, including everything from domestic violence to drive-by shootings to firearm offenses. When you've been accused of a violent crime in Culver City, CA, the state must prove factors like intent and harm beyond a reasonable doubt. Many cases begin with a preliminary hearing, where we can challenge evidence early. Many violent crime charges in California are 'wobblers,' meaning that they can be charged as either a misdemeanor or a felony. Misdemeanors have lighter sentences, while felonies can land you in prison for years. When arguing these cases, medical records, witness testimony, and digital evidence are often central to the argument.
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) requires actual physical contact. Both can be charged as misdemeanors or felonies, depending on severity. If you're asking, "Will I go to jail for a first-time violent offense?"—it depends. First-time offenders facing misdemeanor charges are more likely to avoid prison, but aggravating factors like a weapon could mean jail time. We focus on defense strategies like procedural errors in the arrest or lack of intent to mitigate outcomes.
Major Culver City, CA, Violent Crime Charges We Defend
Assault, Threats, and Interpersonal Harm Defense Lawyers
When you ask someone to name an example of a violent crime, there's a good chance they'll mention assault. In fact, the literal definition describes it as attempting "a violent injury on somebody." A lot of people don't realize that to be charged with 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 aren't official charges, but rather subcategories for more serious assault charges
As discussed above, assault only requires an attempt to cause harm. Battery is similar to assault because both involve attempted harm. However, in battery's case, the harm was successful, rather than just being attempted. You'll find that in many cases, if you're accused of battery in Culver City, CA, you'll also be accused of assault. On the other hand, 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 other charges along those lines. As a result of the variation in specific laws, it's critical to find a violent crimes lawyer who knows how to defend each of the charges.
If you're facing other violent crimes charges, we can help: Here are some other interpersonal harm charges we defend in Culver City, CA,:
- False Imprisonment: This is defined as an incident when an individual detaining another without just cause, 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 particular, extra bad purposes such as forced labor or sex.
- Stalking: To be guilty of stalking in California, you have to both follow a person without their consent, and make a believable threat.
- Terrorist Threats: Terrorist threats aren't their own statute, but are an unofficial term for certain criminal threats charges – 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: Mayhem is like a more advanced version of battery, though in this case, a permanent disfigurement or disability must have been caused.
- Arson: Whether or not you burned something on purpose is the key difference between arson charges and reckless burning.
- Rioting: Rioting involves multiple people acting together to cause and/or threaten violence while disturbing the peace.
Firearm Mishandling Defense Lawyers
Due to state law, you're not able to just do whatever you please with a gun in Culver City, CA. California firearm offenses cover a large swath of statutes, and you don't even have to fire the gun to get in trouble. You can be arrested simply for unlawful possession.
Often, these charges are related to a felon in possession of a firearm, but they could also be the result of possessing a concealed firearm when you don't have a permit or a felon possessing ammunition.
While any Culver City, CA, gun charges are perilous, 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 other hand, discharging a firearm will almost always be a more serious charge. Particularly for cases such as a drive-by shooting or shooting at an inhabited dwelling, it's unlikely that you'd get off with a small fee or community service.
A high-quality Culver City, 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
Violent crime charges are bad enough on their own. Domestic accusations, though, are especially hard to fight. Domestic violence has a wider definition than battery on your spouse; it includes intentional or unintentional harm, threats of harm, and even just causing a situation where someone is afraid they'll be hurt. And for it to qualify as 'domestic,' the alleged victim can be anyone from your spouse to your child to your roommate.
If the alleged victim was a child, that can also affect which charges are filed. Child abuse involves the direct, intentional cause of harm to a child, meanwhile child endangerment includes either negligently or purposefully putting a child in danger. These charges can be filed together, expanding their gravity.
Our expert 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, in cases with youth defendants, juvenile crime charges.
Sentencing Enhancement Defense Lawyers
The majority of Culver City, CA, violent crime cases are rooted in some alleged act of violence. But you can also need to fight elevated charges and/or sentencing enhancement if certain circumstances apply.
One way we frequently see penalties increased is through 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 closely related. You can be found guilty of conspiracy if you collaborate with someone else to break the law, and either one of you takes action towards committing that crime.
Another way you can see your sentence raised is if you're accused of a hate crime. Hate crime charges can be their own case, but, it's common for them to be used as enhancements to other crimes. The prosecution in Culver City, CA is likely to apply a hate crime label if they think that the alleged offender's motivation was related to race, religion, sexuality, or another protected characteristic.
Finally, our Culver City, CA, violent crimes attorneys can help guard 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 to wait significantly longer before earning eligibility for parole. With two prior strikes, the sentence could be increased to 25-years-to-life in prison, with additional restrictions on parole.
Procedural and Governance Charges Defense Lawyers
If the alleged violent crime was committed against a law enforcement officer in Culver City, CA, the allegations can be even more severe. Assault on a police officer carries harsher penalties than simple assault, while resisting arrest can range from physical attacks to simply being uncooperative. Obstructing a police officer is a similar category 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.
These charges, as well as all the charges listed above, are most often handled by the Culver City, CA, local prosecutor. Sometimes, though, a federal prosecutor may take over. 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 prepared to be your defense attorney for federal crimes as well as 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
Robbery lawyer services are essential for 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 priors, 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 fight your case in Culver City, CA, it's important to hire 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.
- Expansive Legal Experience: The Law Offices of David S. Chesley, Inc., has over 50 years of combined courtroom experience, including time as prosecutors, judges, and police officers. We have experience in 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 Culver City, CA. We know 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 Culver City, CA. Enacted in 1994, it mandates 25 years to life for a third "strike" felony if priors include serious or violent crimes. Even non-violent third strikes once triggered life sentences until Proposition 36 reformed it in 2012, allowing resentencing for some.
As a violent crime defense attorney, I dedicate extensive resources to 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.
Defense Strategies Against Three Strikes Charges in Culver City, CA:
- Romero Motions: We file Romero motions to strike priors if they're old, minor, or unjust. Judges take into account the circumstances of the older cases, as well as the character of the alleged offender.
- Resentencing Petitions: Post-Prop 36, over 2,000 have been resentenced. If your third strike was non-violent, we petition for a reduction, potentially cutting life sentences to time served.
- 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. 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 Life After Conviction: 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 Culver City, 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.
Three Strikes disproportionately affects minorities and low-income areas like parts of Culver City, CA. Reforms continue, but without aggressive defense, clients face lifelong consequences. Don't give up; these cases are winnable. Contact our team today if you need help.
Staunch Protection Against Violent Crime Charges – Call Our Attorneys Now
Don't try to face violent crimes accusations alone. The laws are complex. The Culver City, CA, district attorney is intimidating. And the consequences are tough. If you don't have an expert violent crimes lawyer to defend you, your liberty 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 settle for a bad plea deal, just because it was easier to get. We confront the charges. We listen to your story, craft a resolute defense, and defend your freedom from day one until the case is done.
Contact us now to start building your defense. Call (800) 755-5174 or fill out our online contact form to speak with an attorney about how to fight these charges.
We also offer the following legal services in Culver City, CA:
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