Inglewood
Firm-published Inglewood location
Law Offices of David S. Chesley, Inc.
11011 Crenshaw Blvd, Suite 102Inglewood, CA 90303
(424) 888-6080
Call to confirm the appointment address before visiting.
Criminal Defense Attorney in Inglewood
Have You Been Charged With a Crime? An Experienced Inglewood Criminal Defense Attorney Can Help You Take Charge of Your Situation
Inglewood is a vibrant community, but it’s also home to its share of crime. If you get stopped and arrested, you may find yourself scared and unsure of where to turn. Not only are you facing an uncertain future, but everyone seems to be working against you. Both the police and the prosecutors will try to find any weakness in your case that they can take advantage of.
Fortunately, you’re not alone. Hiring a criminal defense attorney puts someone on your side who is there for you. An experienced attorney knows the law and is dedicated to protecting your rights. Your criminal defense lawyer will provide you with the strongest possible protection.
At the Law Offices of David S. Chesley, Inc., we have decades of experience defending the accused in Inglewood and the surrounding areas. Whether you’re faced with a misdemeanor charge or a serious felony, our team of experienced attorneys will work tirelessly to protect your rights.
Local Inglewood Resources
Inglewood Police Department
1 W Manchester Blvd
Inglewood, CA 90301
(310) 412-5211
Inglewood Courthouse
1 E Regent St 6th floor
Inglewood, CA 90301
(310) 419-1396
NuView Treatment Center
2370 S Robertson Blvd
Los Angeles, CA 90034
(323) 307-7997
Crime in Inglewood
Someone commits a crime roughly every 1 hour and 44 minutes in Inglewood. As in any city, though, some areas of Inglewood are more prone to criminal activity than others. While the northern section of the city, near Windsor Hills, is relatively safe, other sections see far more criminal activity. The area west of the San Diego Freeway and especially near the airport is noted for high levels of crime. That’s why it’s so important to hire a criminal defense attorney who knows the local landscape.
The most common crimes in Inglewood are theft, vehicle theft, robbery, burglary, and assault. Drug crimes and DUI arrests are also common. According to FBI statistics, in the year 2019, the rates for robbery, vehicle theft, and rape were considerably higher than for the rest of California. The rates of burglary and theft were slightly lower than the state average.
Below is a brief overview of some of the charges you may be facing and for which an Inglewood defense attorney can help you mount your defense.
Grand Theft Auto and Carjacking
Because of the value of an automobile, any vehicle theft automatically qualifies as grand theft and carries severe penalties. In general, grand theft refers to the illegal taking of goods valued at over $950. In addition, automobile theft is illegal under California Vehicle Code 10851. Anyone who takes or drives another party’s vehicle without their consent is subject to this code. The code applies whether the intention was to take the car for a quick joyride or keep it permanently.
When the threat or use of force is applied in the act of vehicle theft, the offense is considered carjacking, a form of robbery. For the carjacking charge to apply, the vehicle must have been taken from the victim’s immediate presence and against their will. Carjacking is punishable in California by up to 9 years in prison.
DUI (Driving Under the Influence):
Driving under the influence of alcohol or other drugs is a serious offense in California, resulting in fines, jail time, and the suspension or loss of your driver’s license. The standard for what constitutes DUI for adult drivers operating a passenger vehicle is a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) of 0.08. This translates to about three drinks for a man weighing 140 pounds and two for a woman weighing 120 pounds.
This rate is considerably lower for people operating commercial vehicles (0.04) or drivers under 21 years of age (0.01). It is also considered a DUI offense if you drive under the influence of any illegal drugs or consume an excessive amount of legal drugs containing alcohol, such as cough syrup.
Murder and Manslaughter
Murder is among the most serious crimes in the state of California. Defined as “the unlawful killing of a human being, or a fetus, with malice aforethought,” murder can be either first- or second-degree. A first-degree murder, which is “deliberate and premeditated,” is punishable by death, life without parole, or 25 years to life. Second-degree murders, those that weren’t “deliberate and premeditated,” carry sentences of 15, 20, or 25 years to life.
Manslaughter, which refers to the unlawful killing of a person “without malice,” is a lesser but still serious charge. There are three types of manslaughter: voluntary, in which the killing is carried out in the “heat of passion”; involuntary, which occurs when illegal or negligent behavior results in death; and vehicular. Voluntary manslaughter carries a penalty of 3 to 11 years, while involuntary manslaughter carries 2 to 4.
Under California’s Street Terrorism Enforcement and Protection (STEP) Act, murders committed as part of gang activity are subject to more stringent penalties than other murders. This charge may apply even if you are not a member of the gang, as long as you participated in the violent act to benefit the gang. Because of the enhanced charges, it is especially important that you seek a highly skilled attorney if you’re faced with gang-related murder charges.
The Law Offices of David S. Chesley have many years of experience successfully defending people charged with a variety of crimes. Whether the police pulled you over for driving erratically down West Century Boulevard or they picked you up on violent crime charges in Morningside Park, David and his team of lawyers are here to protect your rights.
Call us today at (424) 331-0988 for a free consultation. We are available 24-hours-a-day, 7-days-a-week.
