Violent Crimes Lawyer Century City, CA. When you're up against violent crimes charges, it can feel like the whole world is against you. They risk damaging your reputation, hurting your career, and perhaps worst yet, a long time in jail or prison. But you have a chance at a more positive outcome. And with the Law Offices of David S. Chesley, Inc., you're getting expert legal representation to protect you from these legal and personal consequences. We will fight to protect you from violent crime accusations in each of the below categories (and more):
- Assault, Threats, and Interpersonal Harm
- Firearm Mishandling
- Family and Animal Abuse
- Sentencing Enhancements
- Procedural and Governance Charges
Our experienced Century City, CA, violent crimes defense lawyers will investigate your case, give you honest advice, and look for defensive tactics that can be used for your charges. We view your case, and you as a person, as unique and deserving of individual attention. If you're ready to build your defense, speak with one of our representatives (800) 755-5174 or fill out our contact form now for a free, confidential consultation.
How the Law Offices of David S. Chesley's Lawyers Defend You Against Violent Crimes Allegations
Our team of Century City, CA, criminal defense lawyers know how different each violent crimes accusation can be, and we give each of our clients' cases a tailored defense. This is how we do it:
- Listen to Your Story – We believe that you should be at the center of your defense. We want to hear from you what really happened and why.
- Research the Statutes and Your Case – We'll research the charges and Century City, CA, violent crime law specificsIf there are any quirks that are applicable to your case, we'll find them.
- Put Together a Defense Strategy – Our team will recommend a defensive strategy such as defense, mistaken identity, or procedural error.
- Negotiatiate With the State – Any time we communicate with the Century City 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 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 Century City, CA, the state needs to prove elements 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. Victim testimony plays a key role, but cross-examination can reveal inconsistencies or false accusations.
For instance, let's look at the difference between assault charges and battery charges in California: Assault (Penal Code 240) does not require any actual harm done (just an attempt or threat), meanwhile battery (Penal Code 242) involves actually causing harm. Each of these can be misdemeanors or felonies, with the state making that decision based on the circumstances. 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 particularly aggressive circumstances could wind up with felony charges. At the Law Offices of David S. Chesley, we will fight for your freedom and protect your rights, mounting a tenacious defense against all charges.
Major Century City, CA, Violent Crime Categories 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, even if you don't actually cause harm.
Simple assault charges are usually a misdemeanor, however 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. 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
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 just being attempted. You'll find that in many cases, if you're accused of battery in Century City, CA, you'll also be accused of assault. Meanwhile, criminal threats charges don't even require an attempt at violence, just an attempt to 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 each of the laws, 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 Century City, CA,:
- False Imprisonment: This occurs when one person wrongfully restrains or confines another, for example, locking another person in a room.
- 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 bad 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 are another form of criminal threats – you're also likely to see hate crime charges 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 charges can be split into inciting the riot or participating in it, but both are usually charged as misdemeanors.
Firearm Mishandling Defense Lawyers
While most people do still have the right to own a firearm in Century City, CA, it comes with many constraints. California firearm offenses vary widely in nature and scope, sometimes even just being the result of unlawful possession.
Frequently, these 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 Century City, CA, gun charges are major, a major differentiator is whether you allegedly used the weapon or not. 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 can greatly increase the punishment you're facing. Especially in incidents such as a drive-by shooting or shooting at an inhabited dwelling, the penalties are very harsh.
An experienced Century 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
No matter what kind of violent crime charge you're facing, it's tough to see a way out. But if family is involved, they get even scarier. Domestic violence has a wider definition than battery on your spouse; it includes injuries of all kinds, 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 charges are saved for when someone alleged hurt a child on purpose, meanwhile child endangerment includes either negligently or purposefully putting a child in danger. These charges can be filed together, heightening 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, should your child be the accused, juvenile crime charges.
Sentencing Enhancement Defense Lawyers
If you're facing violent crime charges in Century City, CA, there's a good chance that they're one of the ones above. But you could also need to fight elevated charges and/or sentencing enhancement should your case fall into certain categories.
One way we frequently see penalties increased is through gang enhancements. If a different crime was committed as a part 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 convicted of conspiracy if you agree with another person to commit a crime, and either one of you takes action towards committing that crime.
You could also see increased penalties if you're being charged with 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 Century City, CA is likely to apply a hate crime label if they believe that the alleged offender committed the crime as an attack against a specific protected group.
Furthermore, our Century 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 won't be eligible for parole until you've served 80% of the sentence. If a conviction would be your third strike, you are facing 25-years-to-life in prison, with additional contstraints on early release.
Procedural and Governance Charges Defense Lawyers
When you get into an altercation with the police in Century City, CA, you can expect to face extra harsh violent crime charges. Assault on a police officer can result in more prison time than if the assault was against a non-officer, while resisting arrest can range from physical attacks to simply being uncooperative. Obstructing a police officer is a closely related set 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.
In most cases, if you're accused of a violent crime in Century City, CA, you'll be in municipal court against a local prosecuting attorney. But when the state views a case as extra severe, a federal prosecutor may fight against you. 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 ready to represent 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
Violent Robbery Defense Lawyer: Armed Robbery, Carjacking, and Burglary
You need a robbery defense lawyer 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..
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 prior convictions, these can trigger enhancements. 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 deciding on a lawyer to defend you in Century City, 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 case results.
- Expansive Legal Experience: The Law Offices of David S. Chesley, Inc., 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.
- Relationships in Your Area's Court: We handle court cases all over California, including in Century City, CA. We are familiar with local prosecutors and judges, and will use them to your advantage.
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.
Defending Against California's Three Strikes Law in Century City
California's Three Strikes Law (Penal Code 667) can turn a seemingly straightforward case in Century City, CA, into something much more serious. 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.
At the Law Offices of David S. Chesley, we know what it takes to defend Three Strikes cases. 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 Under Three Strikes:
- Romero Motions: We file Romero motions to strike priors if they're old, minor, or unjust. These are more likely to be successful by showing flaws with the older case, or proof of rehabilitation.
- Motion for Resentencing: 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: 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 Life After Conviction: On top of increasing your sentence, 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 Century City, 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 Century City, 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 Attorneys Today
Violent crimes charges are tough to fight on your own. The legal system is complex. The Century City, CA, prosecutor is powerful. And the penalties are oppressive. If you don't have an expert violent crimes lawyer at your side, 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 accept a poor plea deal, just because it was easier to get. We battle the state. We make a defense with you at the center, and protect your rights from day one until the case is over.
Contact us now to begin putting together your defense. Call (800) 755-5174 or let us know how we can help you on our online contact form to speak with amember of our legal team about how to defend you.
We also offer the following legal services in Century City, CA:
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