Violent Crimes Lawyer Long Beach, CA. We know how overwhelming it can be to be facing violent crime accusations. They risk damaging your reputation, devastating your career, and possibly worst of all, a long time in jail or prison. But all hope is not lost. And when you hire the Law Offices of David S. Chesley, Inc., you're getting expert legal representation to protect 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 experienced Long Beach, CA, violent crimes defense lawyers will listen to you about your case, be honest with our recommendations, and find defense 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 craft your defense, contact us at (800) 755-5174 or send us a note online today for a no-obligation, private consultation to discuss your case.
How the Law Offices of David S. Chesley's Lawyers Defend You Against Violent Crimes Charges
Our team of Long Beach, CA, criminal defense lawyers are aware of how complex violent crimes allegations are, 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. You can be honest with us about everything, and we'll start with your perspective.
- Research the Statutes and Your Case – We'll look into the charges and Long Beach, CA, violent crime law specificsIf there are any quirks that are applicable to your case, we'll find them.
- Build a Defense Strategy – Our lawyers will recommend a defensive strategy such as defense, lack of intent, 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 there is a 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. The Long Beach, CA, prosecution, often led by the District Attorney, must 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. 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, 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, 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. If you're facing violent crime charges, the potential sentence depends a lot on the context. Probation is more likely if you don't have any prior convictions on your record, but particularly aggressive circumstances could wind up with felony charges. 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 Long Beach, CA, Violent Crime Allegations We Defend
Assault, Threats, and Interpersonal Harm Defense Lawyers
Assault is one of the most commont types of violent crimes in California. In fact, the literal definition describes it as attempting "a violent injury on the person of another." Most people are unaware that to be charged with assault, there only has to be an attempt at causing harm, not necessarily actually cause harm.
Simple assault charges can already get you months in prison and a $1,000 fine, but there are several more serious variations of them. Aggravated assault types of charges stem from attempts to cause serious harm, rather than just harm in general. Closely related is assault with a deadly weapon: Committing assault while using a weapon other than a gun. These variations aren't literally written into California law, but instead are used to describe specific types of "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 simply being attempted. After a fight, Long Beach, CA prosecutors are often prone to issue both assault and battery charges to defendants. 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.
Reckless endangerment charges are another set of charges that are typical in Long Beach, CA. This can include reckless driving, child endangerment, and similar charges. Because of the variation in each of the statutes, it's paramount to work with a violent crimes lawyer who knows how to defend each of the charges.
The Law Offices of David S. Chesley, Inc., also defends against the below violent crimes charges in Long Beach, CA,:
- False Imprisonment: False imprisonment occcurs when one person wrongfully restrains or confines another, 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 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 aren't their own statute, but are an unofficial term for certain criminal threats charges – watch out for linked hate crime accusations in these cases.
- Torture: Torture is used for particularly grisly allegations of harm, wherein the action was performed for a sadistic purpose.
- 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 can either consist of starting a riot or participating in one, and is normally a misdemeanor unless it occurs in a jail and/or someone is seriously harmed.
Firearm Mishandling Defense Lawyers
The right to bear arms comes with many restrictions and responsibilities in Long Beach, CA. California firearm offenses can result from any number of statute violations, sometimes even just being the result of unlawful possession.
Frequently, unlawful possession charges are related to a felon in possession of a firearm, but they could also be the result of carrying a concealed firearm when you don't have a permit or a felon possessing ammunition.
While all Long Beach, CA, firearm charges are important to take seriously, the way the firearm was (and wasn't) allegedly used can make a big difference. Brandishing a weapon is when one person shows another a gun (or other weapon) to intimidate them, not necessarily firing it. This is often prosecuted as a misdemeanor instead of a felony.
On the contrary, discharging a firearm can greatly increase the punishment you're facing. Especially for allegations such as a drive-by shooting or shooting at an inhabited dwelling, it's unlikely that you'd get off with a small fee or community service.
An experienced Long Beach, 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
The stakes are high for all kinds of violent crime allegations. But if family is involved, they get even scarier. Domestic violence has a wider definition than battery on your spouse; it includes any actual harm caused, threats of harm, 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.
If the alleged victim was a child, that can also affect which charges are filed. 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, intensifying their gravity.
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, if an adolescent or child is the alleged offender, juvenile crime charges.
Sentencing Enhancement Defense Lawyers
Some violent crime accusations are just that – the Long Beach, CA, prosecutor alleges that you committed an action that broke the law. That said, you can also need to fight 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, 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 make a plan with someone else to break the law, and either one of you does something overt to advance the plan.
Another common sentence enhancement is when an alleged action is charged as a hate crime. Hate crime charges can be their own case, but, you can also see them used as enhancements to other crimes. The district attorney in Long Beach, CA is likely to apply a hate crime label if the alleged offender was motivated by hatred towards a demographic that the alleged victim belonged to.
Finally, our Long Beach, CA, violent crimes attorneys can help protect you against 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. When convicted and given a third strike, you are facing 25-years-to-life in prison, with further restraints on early release.
Procedural and Governance Charges Defense Lawyers
Long Beach, CA, violent crime charges can be particularly damaging if they were allegedly committed against law enforcement. 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 category of charges, though this 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 Long Beach, CA, local prosecutor. On some occasions, when the accusations are especially severe, a federal prosecutor may fight against you. 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 equipped 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
Robbery and Violent Crimes Intersections: Armed Robbery, Carjacking, and Burglary
You need a robbery defense lawyer 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.
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 prior convictions, you could face sentencing enhancements if convicted. 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
You don't want to go into a violent crimes case without the right lawyer. When you're picking a lawyer to protect you in Long Beach, CA, you want someone 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.
- Expansive Legal Experience: We have over 50 years of combined courtroom experience, including time as prosecutors, judges, and police officers. We have inside knowledge of the ways the state builds its case against you, and how to poke holes in it.
- Relationships in Your Area's Court: Our team of attorneys cover cases across the state, including in Long Beach, CA. We know local prosecutors and judges, and will lean on them to secure a favorable outcome.
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 those qualities.
Three Strikes Law Defense in Long Beach, CA
California's Three Strikes Law (Penal Code 667) is a massive search trigger for Long Beach, CA, clients, as it dramatically enhances sentences for repeat offenders. 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. 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 Under Three Strikes:
- Romero Motions: We file Romero motions to strike priors if they're old, minor, or unjust. Judges take into account the circumstances of the older cases, as well as the character of the alleged offender.
- Resentencing Petitions: 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: If your case is ongoing, we will argue for charges to be reduced down to misdemeanors when possible, avoiding a strike. Many of these cases hinge on showing a lack of intent on the alleged offender's part.
- Constitutional Challenges: If the sentence is wildly out of proportion for the alleged crime, we can argue that it is cruel and unusual. This would make it unconstitutional for the court to give such a sentence to you. Part of this can also involve fighting against prior convictions, and showing that they were unconstitutional or incorrect.
- Impact on Parole and Life After Conviction: 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 Long 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.
Three Strikes disproportionately affects minorities and low-income areas like parts of Long Beach, 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 Protection Against Violent Crime Charges – Call Our Legal Team Now
Violent crimes charges are tough to fight on your own. The court system is convoluted. The Long Beach, CA, prosecutor is intimidating. And the sentences are severe. If you're lacking 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 stand idly by and let the state build its case. We don't settle for a bad plea deal, just because it was faster. We confront the charges. We start every case by listening to our client, and protect your rights from the day you call until the case is concluded.
Reach out to 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 an attorney about how to fight these charges.
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