Violent Crimes Lawyer Los Angeles, CA. When you're up against violent crimes charges, it can feel like the whole world is against you. They risk torpedoing your reputation, setting back your career, and possibly worst yet, a trip to jail or prison. But accusations are not the same as convictions. And when you hire the Law Offices of David S. Chesley, Inc., you have someone protecting you from these legal and personal 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 skillful Los Angeles, CA, violent crimes defense lawyers will look into your case, tell you the truth about your situation, and look for 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 create your defense, contact us at (800) 755-5174 or contact us online now for a free, confidential consultation to discuss your case.
The Law Offices of David S. Chesley's Process to Defend You Against Violent Crimes Accusations
Our team of Los Angeles, 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. Here's how we'll do that for your case:
- 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 Los Angeles, CA, violent crime law specifics, to see if there are any special circumstances which apply to you.
- Craft a Defense Strategy – Our lawyers will recommend a defensive strategy such as self-defense, mistaken identity, 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 – Should your case go to 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
California law defines several violent crimes, including the likes of aggravated assault, child abuse, and resisting arrest. If you're facing accusations of one of these crimes in Los Angeles, CA, it can be intimidating, but don't panic: The prosecution must prove components like your culpability beyond a reasonable doubt. After an arrest, you face an arraignment hearing, where you are told about the specific charges you're facing. 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. Victim testimony plays a key role, but cross-examination can reveal inconsistencies or false accusations.
If you're curious about violent crime distinctions, let's look at the difference between assault charges and battery charges in California: 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 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. A first-time misdemeanor assault might lead to probation, 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 Los Angeles, 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 charged with assault, one only has to attempt to cause harm, not necessarily actually cause harm.
While simple assault charges are harsh in and of themselves, 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: 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 is similar to assault because both involve attempted harm. However, in battery's case, the harm was successful, rather than only being attempted. You'll find that in many cases, if you're accused of battery in Los Angeles, CA, you'll also be accused of assault. Meanwhile, 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 similar charges. Due to the variation in individual statutes, it's critical to hire a violent crimes lawyer who knows how to defend each of the charges.
Our lawyers also defend the following violent crimes charges in Los Angeles, CA,:
- False Imprisonment: False imprisonment occcurs when one person confines another to a space against their will, and could be as simple as you allegedly blocking a doorway.
- 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 reasons 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 goes beyond battery and includes serious injuries, done to make the alleged victim suffer.
- 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 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 Los Angeles, CA. California firearm offenses cover a large swath of statutes, sometimes even just being the result of unlawful possession.
Most commonly, possession charges are related to a felon in possession of a firearm, but it could also be related to possessing a concealed firearm without a permit or a felon possessing ammunition.
While any Los Angeles, CA, firearm charges are major, one thing that can make a big difference is how you supposedly used the gun. Brandishing a weapon normally does not include use of the weapon beyond showing it with the intent to scare another person. Most of the time this is charged as a misdemeanor.
On the contrary, discharging a firearm can greatly increase the punishment you're facing. Particularly for cases such as a drive-by shooting or shooting at an inhabited dwelling, the penalties are very harsh.
An excellent Los Angeles, 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
No matter what kind of violent crime charge you're facing, it's tough to see a way out. Domestic accusations, though, are especially hard to fight. Domestic violence goes beyond battery on your spouse; it includes any actual harm caused, 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.
Domestic violence charges aren't the only ones that are defined by the alleged victim. Child abuse is reserved for deliberate acts of violence against children (like hitting them), while child endangerment consists of putting a child at risk of harm, either intentionally or unintentionally. These charges are often filed together, amplifying their seriousness.
Our experienced 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 Los Angeles, CA, prosecutor alleges that you committed an action that broke the law. However, you might also need to fight heightened charges and/or sentencing enhancement if certain circumstances apply.
In many cases, the punishments can be heightened via gang enhancements. If a different crime was committed as a part of gang activities, the sentence you face can be increased by several years. Conspiracy charges are another group-related charge. You can be found guilty of conspiracy if you collaborate with somebody else to break the law, 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. Hate crime charges can be their own case, but, they are frequently used as enhancements to other crimes. The district attorney in Los Angeles, CA may charge another crime as a hate crime if they think that the alleged offender committed the crime as an attack against a specific protected group.
Finally, our Los Angeles, 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, sentences for felony convictions are doubled, and you will have a harder time securing early release. With two prior strikes, the penalty could be 25-years-to-life in prison, with additional limitations on early release.
Procedural and Governance Charges Defense Lawyers
If the alleged violent crime was committed against a law enforcement officer in Los Angeles, CA, the allegations can be even more severe. Assault on a police officer is more heavily penalized than assault against other civilians, while resisting arrest can range from physical attacks to simply being uncooperative. Obstructing a police officer is a closely related 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.
In most cases, if you're accused of a violent crime in Los Angeles, CA, you'll be in municipal court against a local prosecuting attorney. 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 prepared to represent you against federal crimes in addition to state charges.
Violent Robbery Defense Lawyer: Armed Robbery, Carjacking, and Burglary
A robbery defense attorney is 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, these can trigger enhancements. Particularly for violent robberys, you're more likely to be given a restraining order against he alleged victim.
Top 3 Violent Crimes Defense Lawyer Qualities
Violent crimes charges require top-tier defense attorneys. When you're deciding on a lawyer to protect you in Los Angeles, CA, 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 defense results.
- Varied Legal Experience: The Law Offices of David S. Chesley, Inc., has over 50 years of combined legal experience, including time as prosecutors, judges, and police officers. We know how the state prosecutes these cases, and how to fight against them.
- Local Relationships: Our team of attorneys cover cases across the state, including in Los Angeles, CA. We have relationships with local prosecutors and judges, and will leverage our relationships in your negotiations.
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.
Three Strikes Law Defense in Los Angeles, CA
California's Three Strikes Law (Penal Code 667) is important to keep in mind for violent crimes charges in Los Angeles, 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. 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.
Los Angeles, CA, Three Strikes Law Defense Strategies:
- File Romero Motions: Romero motions protect you by asking a judge to ignore a prior strike that is not fair to use against you. Judges take into account the circumstances of the older cases, as well as the character of the alleged offender.
- Resentencing Petitions: After Proposition 36 was passed in 2012, thousands of people have been resentenced. Our legal team will petition for a reduction in sentences when your 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. Lack of intent defenses prevent strike enhancements.
- 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 Your Future: On top of increasing your sentence, strikes delay parole eligibility. We advocate for early release or expungement where possible.
Three strikes charges are not something to take lightly. If you're facing a third strike in Los Angeles, 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 Los Angeles, CA. Right now, a high-quality defense is needed to protect alleged offenders from lifelong impacts. 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.
Ferocious Defenses Against Violent Crime Charges – Call Our Firm Now
Violent crimes charges are tough to fight on your own. The legal system is complicated. The Los Angeles, CA, district attorney is formidable. And the consequences are tough. If you're lacking an expert violent crimes lawyer at your side, your freedom and constitutional rights are in danger.
At the Law Offices of David S. Chesley, Inc., we don't wait and watch the prosecution make its case against you. We don't settle for a bad plea deal, just because it was the first one offered. We confront the charges. We make a defense with you at the center, and protect your freedom from the day you call until the case is done.
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 lawyer about how to fight these charges.
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