Violent Crimes Lawyer Alhambra, CA

Violent Crimes Lawyer Alhambra, CA. Fighting violent crimes charges is critical to your future. They risk wrecking your reputation, devastating your career, and perhaps worst of all, a lengthy prison sentence. But all hope is not lost. And when you call the Law Offices of David S. Chesley, Inc., you are hiring a team that knows how to safeguard 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 Alhambra, CA, violent crimes defense lawyers will look into your case, be honest with our recommendations, and come up with defensive strategies that can be used for your situation. We know that every case is unique and treat every client with respect. If you're ready to construct your defense, phone us at (800) 755-5174 or tell us about your case online today for a no-obligation, private consultation.

How the Law Offices of David S. Chesley's Lawyers Defend You Against Violent Crimes Charges

Our team of Alhambra, CA, criminal defense lawyers know that every violent crime case is unique, and we design our defensive strategy around the specifics of your situation. This is how we do it:

• Learn About Your Story – When we build a defense, it all starts with you. We want to hear from you what really happened and why.
• Research the Law and Your Case – We'll look into the charges and Alhambra, CA, violent crime law specificsIf there are any quirks that are applicable to your case, we'll find them.
• Build a Defense Strategy – We'll recommend a defensive strategy such as defense, mistaken identity, or false allegations.
• Negotiatiate 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. If you're facing accusations of one of these crimes in Alhambra, CA, it can be intimidating, but don't panic: The prosecution needs to prove components like your culpability 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, 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. Both can be charged as misdemeanors or felonies, depending on severity. 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 repeat offenders or felony charges are more likely to face harsh penalties. 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 Alhambra, 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. What's interesting about it is that no harm has to actually be done. To be guilty of assault, one has to attempt "a violent injury on the person of another." Most people are unaware that to be charged with assault, one only has to attempt to cause harm, even if you don't 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 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 non-firearm weapon. These variations are not actually given their own specific laws in California, but instead are lumped together under the broad umbrella of "assault laws."

You might be asking yourself now, "What's the difference between assault and battery?" Battery is similar to assault because both involve attempted harm. However, in battery's case, the harm was successful, instead of just being attempted. In Alhambra, CA, it's common to be charged with both at the same time after an altercation. On the other hand, 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.

We also commonly defend reckless endangerment charges in Alhambra, CA. This can include reckless driving, child endangerment, and similar charges. As a result of the variation in each of the statutes, it's critical to work with a violent crimes lawyer who knows not only how to defend against individual charges, but also the combinations of them.

Our lawyers also defend the following violent crimes charges in Alhambra, CA,:

• False Imprisonment: This occurs when an individual detaining another without just cause, 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: Human Trafficking is similar to kidnapping or false imprisonment, but is done for specific, extra grim reasons such as 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 – 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: 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 involves the intentional and unlawful burning of property, as opposed to reckless burning, which is an unintentional version of the same things.
• Rioting: Rioting involves multiple people acting together to cause and/or threaten violence while disturbing the peace.

Firearm Mishandling Defense Lawyers

While most people do still have the right to own a firearm in Alhambra, CA, it comes with many constraints. California firearm offenses can result from any number of statute violations, and you can get in trouble for something as simple as unlawful possession.

Commonly, these 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 Alhambra, CA, gun charges are serious, 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.

Meanwhile, discharging a firearm can greatly increase the punishment you're facing. Particularly in cases such as a drive-by shooting or shooting at an inhabited dwelling, you can be looking at years in prison and/or thousands of dollars in fines.

A high-quality Alhambra, 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

No matter what kind of violent crime charge you're facing, it's tough to see a way out. Domestic accusations, though, are especially hard to fight. Domestic violence goes beyond battery on your spouse; it includes any actual harm caused, threats of harm, and even just placing someone in fear of harm. 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.

Crimes against children also have their own specific legal categories. Child abuse is reserved for deliberate acts of violence against children (like hitting them), meanwhile child endangerment consists of putting a child at risk of harm, either intentionally or unintentionally. These charges are often filed together, amplifying their gravity.

Our household violent crimes defense lawyers aren't limited to just conflicts between family members who live together. 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

If you're facing violent crime charges in Alhambra, CA, there's a good chance that they're one of the ones above. However, you can also need to fight heightened charges and/or sentencing enhancement for special circumstances.

In many cases, the punishments can be heightened via 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 another group-related charge. You can be convicted of conspiracy if you agree with another person 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. Sometimes, a hate crime accusation is its own charge. However, they are frequently used as enhancements to other charges. The district attorney in Alhambra, CA may charge another crime as a hate crime if they think that the alleged offender was motivated by hatred towards a demographic that the alleged victim belonged to.

Furthermore, our Alhambra, 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 will have to wait significantly longer before earning eligibility for parole. With two prior strikes, you are facing 25-years-to-life in prison, with additional restrictions on early release.

Procedural and Governance Charges Defense Lawyers

When you get into an altercation with the police in Alhambra, 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 similar category of charges, though this can broadly apply to anything done to get in their way, whether or not they were trying to arrest you.

These charges, as well as all the charges listed above, are most often handled by the Alhambra, 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

Robbery and Violent Crimes Intersections: Armed Robbery, Carjacking, and Burglary

You need a robbery defense lawyer if you're facing 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..

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 priors, you could face harsher penalties. 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 deciding on an attorney to protect you in Alhambra, CA, you want someone with the below 3 qualities:

1. 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 has a history of successful violent crime case results.
2. Relationships in Your Area's Court: Our team of attorneys cover cases across the state, including in Alhambra, CA. We know local prosecutors and judges, and will lean on them to secure a favorable outcome.

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 those qualities.

Defending Against California's Three Strikes Law in Alhambra

California's Three Strikes Law (Penal Code 667) can turn a seemingly straightforward case in Alhambra, 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. Even non-violent third strikes once triggered life sentences until Proposition 36 reformed it in 2012, allowing resentencing for some.

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: 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.
• Resentencing Petitions: After Proposition 36 was passed in 2012, thousands of people have been resentenced. Our legal team will petition for a reduction in sentences when your 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. Many of these cases hinge on showing a lack of intent on the alleged offender's part.
• 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. We advocate for early release or expungement where possible.

A Alhambra, 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.

Three Strikes disproportionately affects minorities and low-income areas like parts of Alhambra, CA. Whatever the future holds, in the present, you need a leading three strikes defense attorney. If searching "California Three Strikes Law defense," know it's winnable—contact me to review your priors.

Ferocious Protection Against Violent Crime Charges – Call Our Legal Team Today

You need help when you're fighting against violent crimes allegations. The court system is complicated. The Alhambra, CA, district attorney is powerful. And the penalties are harsh. Without an expert violent crimes lawyer to defend you, your liberty and constitutional rights are in danger.

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 rights from the day you call until the case is done.

Contact us now to begin 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 an attorney about how to protect your rights.

We also offer the following legal services in Alhambra, CA:

• Sex Crimes Lawyer
• Immigration Lawyer
• Drug Charges Lawyer
• Theft Lawyer
• DUI Lawyer
• Criminal Defense Lawyer