Violent Crimes Lawyer Redondo Beach, CA. Fighting violent crimes charges is critical to your future. They risk wrecking your reputation, setting back your career, and worst yet, a lengthy prison sentence. But you can fight to protect yourself. And when you hire the Law Offices of David S. Chesley, Inc., you are hiring a team that knows how to safeguard you from these 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 experienced Redondo Beach, CA, violent crimes defense lawyers will listen to you about your case, be honest with our recommendations, and look for defense strategies that should be effective for your situation. We view your case, and you as a person, as unique and deserving of individual attention. If you're ready to build your defense, call (800) 755-5174 or contact us online 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 Accusations
Our team of Redondo Beach, CA, criminal defense lawyers know how different each violent crimes accusation can be, and we build a defense that's suited to your specific case. Here's how we'll do that for your case:
- Learn About Your Story – When we build a defense, it all starts with you. We want to hear from you what really happened and why.
- Research the Statutes and Your Case – We'll research the charges and Redondo Beach, CA, violent crime law specifics, to ensure that we're well prepared to build a strong defensive strategy.
- Craft a Defense Strategy – Our team will recommend a defensive strategy such as defense of others, lack of intent, or false allegations.
- Negotiatiate With the State – Any time we communicate with the Redondo Beach 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
Violent crimes in California encompass a wide range of offenses, from simple assault to more severe acts like armed robbery or kidnapping. If you're facing accusations of one of these crimes in Redondo Beach, CA, it can be intimidating, but don't panic: The prosecution needs to prove factors like intent and harm beyond a reasonable doubt. After an investigation, if the state believes it has enough evidence against you, they will make formal charges against you. Felony charges carry harsher penalties, including state prison time, while misdemeanors might result in county jail, probation, or fines. 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, assault and battery are two separate offenses in Califoria, with different definitions: Assault (Penal Code 240) occurs when one person threatens or attempts to hurt another, while battery (Penal Code 242) requires actual physical contact. Each of these can be misdemeanors or felonies, with the state making that decision based on the circumstances. 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 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 Redondo Beach, CA, Violent Crime Allegations We Defend
Assault, Threats, and Interpersonal Harm Defense Lawyers
Assault is perhaps the most prototypical violent crime charge people thing of. While you might be picturing cuts and bruises, California law actually describes assault as an attempt to inflict "a violent injury on someone else." Most people are unaware that to be charged with assault, there only has to be an attempt at causing harm, even if you don't actually cause harm.
Simple assault charges are usually a misdemeanor, however 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: Assault using a weapon other than a gun. These variations aren't official charges, but rather subcategories for more serious assault charges
You might be asking yourself now, "What's the difference between assault and battery?" Battery occurs when harm is actually done, rather than just being attempted. In Redondo Beach, 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 specific statutes, it's critical to have a violent crimes lawyer who can protect you from any of the possible charges.
Our violent crimes defense lawyers can also help you with the following charges in Redondo Beach, CA,:
- False Imprisonment: This is defined as an incident when one person confines another to a space against their will, 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 reasons 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 – watch out for linked hate crime accusations in these cases.
- Torture: Torture is a specific, grevious category of attack done for reasons such as revenge or extortion.
- 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 involves multiple people acting together to cause and/or threaten violence while disturbing the peace.
Firearm Mishandling Defense Lawyers
While most people do still have the right to own a firearm in Redondo Beach, CA, it comes with many constraints. California firearm offenses can result from any number of statute violations, and you don't even have to fire the gun to get in trouble. You can be arrested simply for unlawful possession.
Most commonly, these charges are related to a felon in possession of a firearm, but you could also face them for having a concealed firearm when you don't have a permit or a felon possessing ammunition.
While any Redondo Beach, CA, firearm charges are serious, one thing that can make a big difference is how you supposedly used the gun. 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.
Meanwhile, discharging a firearm will almost always be a more serious charge. Especially for allegations 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 Redondo Beach, 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
Violent crime charges are bad enough on their own. Domestic accusations, though, are especially hard to fight. Domestic violence isn't just battery on your spouse; it includes intentional or unintentional harm, threats of abuse, 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), meanwhile child endangerment could be any action that endangers a child, regardless of whether you meant to or not. These charges can be filed together, amplifying their seriousness.
Our expert 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, in cases with youth defendants, juvenile crime charges.
Sentencing Enhancement Defense Lawyers
If you're facing violent crime charges in Redondo Beach, CA, there's a good chance that they're one of the ones above. That said, you might also be up against elevated 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, prison sentences can drastically increase, though exactly how much depends on the alleged crime. Conspiracy charges are dangerous because you can face penalties without having personally done something actively wrong. You could be convicted of conspiracy if you collaborate with another person to commit a crime, 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, you can also see them used as enhancements to other charges. The district attorney in Redondo Beach, CA may charge another crime as a hate crime if the alleged offender's motivation was related to race, religion, sexuality, or another protected characteristic.
Furthermore, our Redondo Beach, CA, violent crimes attorneys can help protect you from 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 will have to wait significantly longer before earning eligibility for parole. When convicted and given a third strike, you are facing 25-years-to-life in prison, with further contstraints on early release.
Procedural and Governance Charges Defense Lawyers
If the alleged violent crime was committed against a law enforcement officer in Redondo Beach, 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 set of charges, though these ones 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 Redondo Beach, 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 prepared 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
Robbery and Related Offenses: Armed Robbery, Carjacking, and Burglary
A robbery defense attorney is essential 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 any convictions on your record, 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
You don't want to go into a violent crimes case without the right lawyer. When you're picking a lawyer to defend your rights in Redondo Beach, CA, 'good enough' isn't good enough. You want a legal team with the below 3 qualities:
- Prior Success: You want to be represented by an attorney who knows the ins and outs of the California court system. Our team has a history of successful violent crime case results.
- Diverse Legal Experience: Our team has over 50 years of combined courtroom experience, including time as prosecutors, judges, and police officers. We know how the state tries to get violent crimes convictions, and how to fight for a positive outcome.
- Local Relationships: Our team of attorneys cover cases across the state, including in Redondo Beach, CA. We are familiar 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.
Three Strikes Law Defense in Redondo Beach, CA
California's Three Strikes Law (Penal Code 667) can greatly impact violent crimes charges in Redondo Beach, 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. If you have any prior strikes on your record, it's critical to work with a leading criminal defense attorney to protect your freedom.
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 Against Three Strikes Charges in Redondo Beach, CA:
- 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.
- 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: 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: We argue cruel and unusual punishment, especially for disproportionate sentences. Part of this can also involve fighting against prior convictions, and showing that they were unconstitutional or incorrect.
- 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.
If you're facing Three Strikes charges in Redondo Beach, 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.
Minorities and low-income individuals are frequently affected by California's Three Strikes law in Redondo Beach, CA. Right now, a high-quality defense is needed to protect alleged offenders from lifelong impacts. We're ready for your case. Call now to start building your defense.
Tenatious Defenses Against Violent Crime Charges – Call Our Firm Right Away
Don't try to face violent crimes accusations alone. The court system is complicated. The Redondo Beach, CA, district attorney is intimidating. And the punishments are heavy. Without an expert violent crimes lawyer at your side, 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 easier to get. We battle the state. We start every case by listening to our client, and protect your freedom from day one until the case is done.
Contact us now to begin putting together your defense. Call 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.
We also offer the following legal services in Redondo Beach, CA:
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