Violent Crimes Lawyer Simi Valley, CA. Any criminal accusations are serious, but few are as serious as violent crimes. They risk damaging your reputation, hurting your career, and perhaps 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 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 Simi Valley, CA, violent crimes defense lawyers will research your case, be honest with our recommendations, and come up with defensive tactics that will be effective for your circumstances. We know that every case is unique and treat every client with respect. If you need to build your defense, contact us at (800) 755-5174 or tell us about your case online now for a free, confidential consultation to discuss your case.
How the Law Offices of David S. Chesley's Lawyers Defend You Against Violent Crimes Allegations
Our team of Simi Valley, CA, criminal defense lawyers know how different each violent crimes accusation can be, 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 – 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 Law and Your Case – We'll investigate the charges and Simi Valley, 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 self-defense, consent, or false allegations.
- Negotiatiate With the State – When speaking with the prosecutors, we will stand strong and demand the justice you deserve.
- Fight At Trial – If your case reaches trial, we'll stick with you from start to finish, fighting for a positive outcome.
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. When you've been accused of a violent crime in Simi Valley, CA, the state must prove factors like your culpability 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. 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, the difference between assault and battery in California is critical: Assault (Penal Code 240) occurs when one person threatens or attempts to hurt another, while battery (Penal Code 242) involves actually causing harm. Each of these can be misdemeanors or felonies, depending on severity. If you're asking, "Will I go to jail for a first-time violent offense?"—it depends. 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. We focus on defense strategies like procedural errors in the arrest or lack of intent to mitigate outcomes.
Major Simi Valley, CA, Violent Crime Charges We Defend
Assault, Threats, and Interpersonal Harm Defense Lawyers
Assault is one of the most commont types of violent crimes in California. 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 someone else." Many people don't realize that to be charged with assault, one only has to attempt to cause harm, even if you don't actually cause harm.
Simple assault charges can already get you months in prison and a $1,000 fine, but the line can be fuzzy between simple assault and some of it's more serious versions. 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 non-firearm weapon. These variations are not actually given their own specific laws in California, but instead are lumped together under the broad umbrella of "assault laws."
As discussed above, assault only requires an attempt to cause harm. Battery is a step past assault, and allegations include actual harm being caused, rather than only being attempted. You'll find that in many cases, if you're accused of battery in Simi Valley, CA, you'll also be accused of assault. 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 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 each of the statutes, it's paramount to hire a violent crimes lawyer who knows how to defend each of the charges.
Our violent crime defense attorneys can also help you fight the following charges in Simi Valley, 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: Kidnapping consists of taking a person from one location to another against their will.
- 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: 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: If a fight resulted in the permanent scarring of another person, the aggressor can be charged with mayhem.
- 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 Simi Valley, CA, it comes with many constraints. California firearm offenses cover a large swath of statutes, 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 all Simi Valley, CA, gun charges are perilous, the way the firearm was (and wasn't) allegedly used can make a big difference. Brandishing a weapon normally does not include use of the weapon beyond showing it with the intent to scare another person. This is often prosecuted as a misdemeanor instead of a felony.
On the other hand, discharging a firearm will almost always be a more serious charge. Especially in cases 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 Simi Valley, CA, violent crimes defense attorney will fight no just to keep you out of prison, but also to prevent further restrictions on your Second Amendment rights.
Family and Animal Abuse Defense Lawyers
Violent crime charges are bad enough on their own. But if family is involved, they get even scarier. Domestic violence goes beyond battery on your spouse; it includes intentional or unintentional harm, threats of abuse, and even just making someone think that they could be injured. 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, while child endangerment includes either negligently or purposefully putting a child in danger. These charges can be filed together, heightening their seriousness.
Our household 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, if an adolescent or child is the alleged offender, juvenile crime charges.
Sentencing Enhancement Defense Lawyers
The majority of Simi Valley, CA, violent crime cases are rooted in some alleged act of violence. However, you can also be up against elevated charges and/or sentencing enhancement if certain circumstances apply.
One of the most common examples is gang enhancements. If a crime was committed in the furtherance of gang activities, the sentence you face can be increased by several years. Conspiracy charges are another group-related charge. You could be convicted of conspiracy if you agree 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, you can also see them used as enhancements to other charges. The prosecutor in Simi Valley, CA may charge another crime as a hate crime if they believe that the alleged offender committed the crime as an attack against a specific protected group.
Furthermore, our Simi Valley, CA, violent crimes attorneys can help defend you from California's three strikes law. This law allows the government to keep track of your criminal history and assign "strikes" to certain felony convictions. 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 sentence could be increased to 25-years-to-life in prison, with further restraints on parole.
Procedural and Governance Charges Defense Lawyers
Simi Valley, CA, violent crime charges can be particularly damaging if they were allegedly committed against law enforcement. Assault on a police officer carries harsher penalties than simple assault, while resisting arrest covers actions ranging from stealing a police officers gun to just acting disobediently. Obstructing a police officer is a similar set 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 Simi Valley, CA, you'll be in municipal court against a local prosecuting attorney. 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 proud to represent you against 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
Robbery and Related Offenses: Armed Robbery, Carjacking, and Burglary
You need a robbery defense lawyer if you're up against 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.
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 harsher penalties. 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 defend your rights in Simi Valley, CA, you want someone 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: We have over 50 years of combined law 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.
- Local Relationships: We're ready for your case in Simi Valley, CA. We know local prosecutors and judges, and will leverage our relationships in your negotiations.
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 those qualities.
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 Simi Valley, 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.
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. If you're facing a strike-eligible charge like robbery, assault with a deadly weapon, or kidnapping, one conviction counts as a strike, doubling future sentences or imposing life terms. For example, a third strike for shoplifting (if priors are strikes) could mean life—though reforms limit this to violent thirds.
Defense Strategies Against Three Strikes Charges in Simi Valley, 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: After Proposition 36 was passed in 2012, thousands of people 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: In current cases, we negotiate pleas to non-strike offenses, like misdemeanor assault instead of felony. 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. 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. 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.
If you're facing Three Strikes charges in Simi Valley, 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 Simi Valley, 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.
Tenatious Defenses Against Violent Crime Charges – Call Our Legal Team Right Away
Violent crimes charges are tough to fight on your own. The laws are complex. The Simi Valley, CA, district attorney is powerful. And the sentences are tough. If you don't have an expert violent crimes lawyer at your side, 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 accept a poor plea deal, just because it was easier to get. We fight. We start every case by listening to our client, and defend your freedom from day one until the case is concluded.
Contact us now to start putting together your defense. Call us at (800) 755-5174 or tell us about your case via our online contact form to speak with a member of our team about how to defend you.
We also offer the following legal services in Simi Valley, CA:
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