Violent Crimes Lawyer Reseda, CA. Violent crime allegations are dangerous, whether they are felonies or misdemeanors. They risk wrecking your reputation, ruining your career, and perhaps worst yet, a lengthy prison sentence. But all hope is not lost. And when you call the Law Offices of David S. Chesley, Inc., you get a shield that will guard 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 expert Reseda, CA, violent crimes defense lawyers will look into your case, tell you the truth about your situation, and find defense strategies that can be used for your charges. We know that every case is unique and treat every client with respect. If you're ready to construct your defense, speak with one of our representatives (800) 755-5174 or send us a note online now for a free, 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 Reseda, CA, criminal defense lawyers know that every violent crime case is unique, and we give each of our clients' cases a tailored defense. Here's how we'll do that for your case:
- Learn About Your Story – Every case starts with our client. We want to hear from you what really happened and why.
- Research the Law and Your Case – We'll research the specifics of the charges and Reseda, 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 lawyers will recommend a defensive strategy such as self-defense, consent, or procedural error.
- Negotiatiate With the State – When speaking with the prosecutors, we will stand strong and demand the justice you deserve.
- Fight At Trial – Should your case go to trial, we'll stick with you from start to finish, fighting for a positive outcome.
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. The Reseda, CA, prosecution, often led by the District Attorney, needs to prove factors like intent and harm beyond a reasonable doubt. After an arrest, you face an arraignment hearing, where you are told about the specific charges you're facing. 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. Victim testimony plays a key role, but cross-examination can reveal inconsistencies or false accusations.
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 charged as misdemeanors or felonies; it's up to the prosecution to decide what to charge. If you're facing violent crime charges, the potential sentence depends a lot on the context. A first-time misdemeanor assault might lead to probation, 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 Reseda, CA, Violent Crime Accusations 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 the person of another." Most people aren't aware that to be guilty of assault, one only has to attempt to cause harm, regardless of whether or not you actually cause harm.
While simple assault charges are harsh in and of themselves, there are several more serious variations of them. Aggravated assault is just that: assault with intent to cause serious bodily injury. Another similar one is assault with a deadly weapon: Assault using a non-firearm weapon. These variations don't actually have statutes of their own, and instead are nicknames used to describe specific assault cases
As discussed above, assault only requires an attempt to cause harm. Battery is similar to assault because both involve attempted harm. However, in battery's case, the harm was successful, instead of only being attempted. In Reseda, CA, it's common to be charged with both at the same time after an altercation. Meanwhile, 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 individual statutes, it's paramount to find a violent crimes lawyer who knows not only how to defend against individual charges, but also the combinations of them.
If you're facing other violent crimes charges, we can help: Here are some other interpersonal harm charges we defend in Reseda, CA,:
- False Imprisonment: This is defined as an incident when an individual detaining another without just cause, and could be as simple as you allegedly blocking a doorway.
- 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 bad reasons like 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 – you can expect there to be links to hate crimes in these cases.
- Torture: Torture goes beyond battery and includes serious injuries, done to make the alleged victim suffer.
- 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: Whether or not you burned something on purpose is the key difference between arson charges and reckless burning.
- 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
Due to state law, you're not able to just do whatever you please with a gun in Reseda, CA. California firearm offenses cover a large swath of statutes, and you don't even have to fire the gun to get in trouble. You can be arrested simply for unlawful possession.
Commonly, these charges are related to a felon in possession of a firearm, but they could also be the result of having a concealed firearm without a permit or a felon possessing ammunition.
While all Reseda, CA, firearm charges are significant, one thing that can make a big difference is how you supposedly used the gun. Brandishing a weapon normally does not include use of the weapon beyond showing it with the intent to scare another person. Most of the time this is charged as a misdemeanor.
On the contrary, discharging a firearm will frequently get you harsher sentences. Particularly 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 excellent Reseda, 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. However, the stigma and penalties are even worse when spouses, children, or other family members are affected. Domestic violence goes beyond battery on your spouse; it includes any actual harm caused, threats of harm, and even just making someone think that they could be injured. The other qualifying factor for 'domestic' violence is who the alleged victim is: for it to qualify, they must be someone with a close relationship to the alleged offender, such as a child, spouse, or cohabitant.
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), meanwhile child endangerment includes either negligently or purposefully putting a child in danger. These charges can be filed together, raising their seriousness.
Our experienced violent crimes defense lawyers can help with more than just alleged conflicts between spouses and children. We also defend against 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 Reseda, CA, prosecutor alleges that you committed an action that broke the law. But you might also face increased charges and/or sentencing enhancement if your case meets certain criteria.
One way we frequently see penalties increased is through gang enhancements. If a crime was committed in the furtherance of gang activities, prison sentences can drastically increase, though exactly how much depends on the alleged crime. Conspiracy charges are another group-related charge. You can 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.
You could also see increased penalties if you're being charged with a hate crime. Hate crime charges can be their own case, but, you can also see them used as enhancements to other crimes. The prosecutor in Reseda, 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.
Finally, our Reseda, 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 will have to wait significantly longer before earning eligibility for parole. If a conviction would be your third strike, you are facing 25-years-to-life in prison, with further limitations on early release.
Procedural and Governance Charges Defense Lawyers
Reseda, CA, violent crime charges can be particularly damaging if they were allegedly committed against law enforcement. Assault on a police officer is more heavily penalized than assault against other civilians, while resisting arrest carries similarly harsher sentences for a wide array of alleged misconduct. Obstructing a police officer is a similar category of charges, though these ones aren't contingent on you being arrested, and apply more broadly to anything you do to prevent a police officer from doing they job.
These charges, as well as all the charges listed above, are most often handled by the Reseda, CA, local prosecutor. But for more serious cases, a federal prosecutor may take over. When you're up against the federal government, you need a powerful legal team on your side. The Law Offices of David S. Chesley, Inc., is proud to be your defense attorney for 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
Robbery lawyer services are essential if you're facing 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.
Plea negotiations play a key role in defending violent robbery charges. By working with the state, a skilled violent crimes defense attorney can potentially reduce charges to misdemeanors. If you're on parole or have prior convictions, these can trigger enhancements. 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 need high-quality defense lawyers. When you're deciding on a lawyer to fight your case in Reseda, 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 has a history of successful violent crime case results.
- Diverse Legal Experience: We have over 50 years of combined legal experience, including time as prosecutors, judges, and police officers. We have experience in how the state tries to get violent crimes convictions, and how to fight for a positive outcome.
- Relationships in Your Area's Court: We're ready for your case in Reseda, CA. We know local prosecutors and judges, and will lean on them to secure a favorable outcome.
To maximize your chances of beating violent crimes charges, you need lawyers with all of the above attributes. 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) can turn a seemingly straightforward case in Reseda, CA, into something much more serious. 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. 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. 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.
Reseda, CA, Three Strikes Law Defense Strategies:
- 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.
- Resentencing Petitions: Due to updated laws, people with prior Three Strikes convictions can petition to have their sentence reduced. 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. Showing lack of intent is key in thse cases.
- Constitutional Challenges: Depending on the context of your case, we can argue that the sentence is unconstitutional, and constitutes cruel and unusual punishment. 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.
A Reseda, CA, client with two priors faced a third strike for assault on a peace officer. By proving self-defense and procedural errors (improper Miranda), we got the charge reduced, avoiding life. The District Attorney often pushes hard, but jury trials reveal biases in victim testimony. With over 20 years defending Three Strikes, I've secured dismissals in 70% of cases by exploiting weaknesses.
Minorities and low-income individuals are frequently affected by California's Three Strikes law in Reseda, CA. Reforms continue, but without aggressive defense, clients face lifelong consequences. We're ready for your case. Call now to start building your defense.
Tenatious Protection Against Violent Crime Charges – Call Our Firm Right Away
You need help when you're fighting against violent crimes allegations. The court system is convoluted. The Reseda, CA, prosecutor is formidable. And the consequences are brutal. If you're lacking an expert violent crimes lawyer to defend you, your liberty and constitutional rights are at risk.
At the Law Offices of David S. Chesley, Inc., we don't wait and watch the prosecution make its case against you. We don't settle for a bad plea deal, just because it was easier to get. We fight. We listen to your story, craft a resolute defense, and fight for your rights from the day you call until the case is over.
Contact us now to start putting together 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 a lawyer about how to protect your rights.
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