Violent Crimes Lawyer Torrance, CA. When you're up against violent crimes charges, it can feel like the whole world is against you. They risk damaging your reputation, ruining your career, and perhaps worst yet, a trip to jail or prison. But you have a chance at a more positive outcome. And when you work with the Law Offices of David S. Chesley, Inc., you're getting expert legal representation to protect 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 skillful Torrance, CA, violent crimes defense lawyers will investigate your case, tell you the truth about your situation, and find defensive tactics that should be effective for your situation. You deserve a defense tailored to you, and we can provide that. If you need to build your defense, speak with one of our representatives (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 Torrance, CA, criminal defense lawyers know how different each violent crimes accusation can be, and we give each of our clients' cases a tailored defense. It all starts with the following steps:
- Learn About Your Story – We believe that you should be at the center of your defense. You can be honest with us about everything, and we'll start with your perspective.
- Research the Statutes and Your Case – We'll investigate the charges and Torrance, 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 defense of others, lack of intent, or false allegations.
- Plea Bargain 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 – 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. When you've been accused of a violent crime in Torrance, CA, the state must prove components 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. 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. 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, meanwhile battery (Penal Code 242) involves actually causing harm. Each of these can be charged as misdemeanors or felonies, with the state making that decision based on the circumstances. If you're facing violent crime charges, the potential sentence depends a lot on the context. First-time offenders facing misdemeanor charges are more likely to avoid prison, 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 Torrance, CA, Violent Crime Charges We Defend
Assault, Threats, and Interpersonal Harm Defense Lawyers
If you hear the phrase 'violent crimes,' assault is probably one of the first to come to mind. In fact, the literal definition describes it as attempting "a violent injury on somebody." Most people aren't aware that to be guilty of assault, there only has to be an attempt at causing harm, regardless of whether or not you actually cause harm.
Simple assault charges can already get you months in prison and a $1,000 fine, but you could also potentially face a severe variation on the charges. Aggravated assault charge types in particular are very similar to assault: they normally requires that the alleged offender was trying to cause 'serious' harm rather than general harm. Another similar one is assault with a deadly weapon: Committing assault 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 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 Torrance, CA, you'll also be accused of assault. On the flip side, criminal threats charges don't even require an attempt at violence, just an attempt to intimidate someone. You don't even have to be willing to follow through; "I didn't mean it" isn't a valid defense for these charges.
Reckless endangerment charges are another set of charges that are typical in Torrance, CA. This can include reckless driving, child endangerment, and similar charges. As a result of the variation in each of the statutes, it's paramount to have a violent crimes lawyer who knows not only how to defend against individual charges, but also the combinations of them.
Our violent crimes defense lawyers can also help you with the following charges in Torrance, CA,:
- False Imprisonment: This occurs when one person wrongfully restrains or confines another, 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: As opposed to the above allegations, human trafficking 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: Terrorist threats are another form of criminal threats – you can expect there to be links to hate crimes in these cases.
- Torture: Torture is a specific, grevious category of attack done for reasons such as revenge or extortion.
- 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
The right to bear arms comes with many restrictions and responsibilities in Torrance, CA. California firearm offenses can result from any number of statute violations, sometimes even just being the result of unlawful possession.
Most commonly, unlawful 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 any Torrance, CA, firearm charges are major, the way the firearm was (and wasn't) allegedly used can make a big difference. Brandishing a weapon does not typically involve firing the gun, but instead using it to make a threat. This is often prosecuted as a misdemeanor instead of a felony.
On the contrary, discharging a firearm will frequently get you harsher sentences. Especially in allegations such as a drive-by shooting or shooting at an inhabited dwelling, the penalties are very harsh.
A high-quality Torrance, 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. But if family is involved, they get even scarier. Domestic violence goes beyond battery on your spouse; it includes injuries of all kinds, threats of abuse, and even just making someone think that they could be injured. Domestic violence charges are about more than just the alleged harm or danger, though — they're about who it supposedly was committed against. To qualify, the alleged victim must have held some kind of close relationship with the alleged offender, for example, romantic partners or parents who share a child.
Crimes against children also have their own specific legal categories. Child abuse charges are saved for when someone alleged hurt a child on purpose, meanwhile child endangerment could be any action that endangers a child, regardless of whether you meant to or not. These charges are often filed together, increasing their seriousness.
Our experienced 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
The majority of Torrance, CA, violent crime cases are rooted in some alleged act of violence. But you could also be up against increased charges and/or sentencing enhancement should your case fall into certain categories.
One way we frequently see penalties increased is through 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 could be convicted of conspiracy if you agree with somebody else to break the law, and either one of you does something that furthers the commission of the crime.
Another common sentence enhancement is when an alleged action is charged as a hate crime. Hate crime charges can be their own case, but, it's common for them to be used as enhancements to other charges. The prosecution in Torrance, 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.
Furthermore, our Torrance, CA, violent crimes attorneys can help guard you against California's three strikes law. Under it, certain serious felonies are classified as "strikes" in your criminal history. With one prior strike, if you are convicted of a new felony, the sentence will be doubled, and you will have a harder time securing early release. When convicted and given a third strike, the sentence could be increased to 25-years-to-life in prison, with additional contstraints on early release.
Procedural and Governance Charges Defense Lawyers
Torrance, 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 closely related category of charges, though these ones can broadly apply to anything done to get in their way, whether or not they were trying to arrest you.
For the majority of violent crime charges, you'll be up against the local Torrance, CA prosecution. But when the state views a case as extra severe, 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 represent you against federal crimes as well as state charges.
Violent Robbery Defense Lawyer: Armed Robbery, Carjacking, and Burglary
Robbery lawyer services are essential for 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.
Because of the importance of witness testimony, it's important to work with a leading violent crimes defense lawyer to build your defense. We can present your side of the story, challenge the prosecution's witnesses, and show an alternative interpretation of the events. If you're on parole or have any convictions on your record, 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 require top-tier defense attorneys. When you're deciding on an attorney to fight your case in Torrance, CA, 'good enough' isn't good enough. You want a firm with the below 3 qualities:
- A History of Success: You don't want someone who's new to the California legal system, or new to your type of charge. Our team is know for our successful violent crime case results.
- Varied Legal Experience: Our team has over 50 years of combined law experience, including time as prosecutors, judges, and police officers. We have experience in the ways the state prosecutes these cases, and how to fight against them.
- Local Relationships: Our team of attorneys cover cases across the state, including in Torrance, CA. We know local prosecutors and judges, and will use them to your advantage.
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 Torrance, CA
California's Three Strikes Law (Penal Code 667) is important to keep in mind for violent crimes charges in Torrance, 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.
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.
Torrance, CA, Three Strikes Law Defense Strategies:
- File Romero Motions: Romero motions can be used to request a judge to remove an existing strike on your record. 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. This has the potential to reduce charges from a life sentence down to time served, if the 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. 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. We advocate for early release or expungement where possible.
If you're facing Three Strikes charges in Torrance, 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 Torrance, CA. Right now, a high-quality defense is needed to protect alleged offenders from lifelong impacts. Don't give up; these cases are winnable. Contact our team today if you need help.
Ferocious Protection Against Violent Crime Charges – Call Our Attorneys Right Away
You need help when you're fighting against violent crimes allegations. The court system is complicated. The Torrance, CA, prosecutor is frightening. And the sentences are grim. Without an expert violent crimes lawyer to defend you, your innocence and constitutional rights are at risk.
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 the first one offered. We confront the charges. We make a defense with you at the center, and protect your freedom from day one until the case is done.
Reach out to us now to start 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 an attorney about how to fight these charges.
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