Violent Crimes Lawyer Barstow, CA. We know how overwhelming it can be to be facing violent crime accusations. They risk harming your reputation, ruining your career, and perhaps worst yet, a trip to jail or prison. But accusations are not the same as convictions. And with the Law Offices of David S. Chesley, Inc., you have someone protecting 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 skillful Barstow, CA, violent crimes defense lawyers will investigate your case, tell you the truth about your situation, and develop defensive tactics that can be used for your case. We know that every case is unique and treat every client with respect. If you need to build your defense, call us at (800) 755-5174 or contact us online today for a no-obligation, private consultation to discuss your case.
The Law Offices of David S. Chesley's Process to Defend You Against Violent Crimes Charges
Our team of Barstow, CA, criminal defense lawyers know that every violent crime case is unique, and we give each of our clients' cases a tailored defense. This is how we do it:
- Learn Your Story – When we build a defense, it all starts with you. 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 Barstow, CA, violent crime law specifics, to ensure that we're well prepared to build a strong defensive strategy.
- Put Together a Defense Strategy – Our lawyers will recommend a defensive strategy such as defense of others, consent, or false allegations.
- Plea Bargain 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 there is a trial, we'll stick with you from start to finish, fighting for a positive outcome.
Major Barstow, CA, Violent Crime Charges We Defend
Assault, Threats, and Interpersonal Harm Defense Lawyers
Assault is one of the most commont types of violent crimes in California. While you might be picturing cuts and bruises, California law actually describes assault as an attempt to inflict "a violent injury on somebody." Many 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.
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. Another similar one is assault with a deadly weapon: Committing assault while using a weapon other than a gun. These variations aren't official charges, but rather subcategories for more serious assault charges
Now that we've covered assault, let's discuss battery. Battery is a step past assault, and allegations include actual harm being caused, instead of only being attempted. In Barstow, CA, it's common to be charged with both at the same time after an altercation. Meanwhile, criminal threats charges can occur completely over the phone, text, or verbally in person. They don't have to involve literal violence at all. Regardless of whether you wanted to (or even could) follow through on the threats, you can be found guilty.
We also commonly defend reckless endangerment charges in Barstow, CA. This can include reckless driving, child endangerment, and other charges along those lines. Due to the difference in each of the laws, it's important to find a violent crimes lawyer who can protect you from any of the possible charges.
Here are some other related violent crimes charges our attorneys defend in Barstow, CA,:
- False Imprisonment: This is defined as an incident when one person wrongfully restrains or confines another, and while it might seem like a stretch, it could be as little as grabbing someone's arm (if they are attempting to leave).
- 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 specific, extra heinous purposes such as forced labor or sex.
- Stalking: California defines stalking as repeatedly following or harassing another person, and making a related credible threat.
- Terrorist Threats: Sometimes, criminal threats charges might be referred to as terrorist threats, if they are especially bad – you're also likely to see hate crime charges in these cases.
- Torture: Torture is used for particularly grisly allegations of harm, wherein the action was performed for a sadistic purpose.
- Mayhem: If a fight resulted in the permanent scarring of another person, the aggressor can be charged with mayhem.
- Arson: Arson charges allege that you intentionally lit something on fire that you weren't allowed to.
- 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 Barstow, 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.
Frequently, these 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 Barstow, CA, firearm charges are serious, one thing that can make a big difference is how you supposedly used the gun. Brandishing a weapon does not typically involve firing the gun, but instead using it to make a threat. This is often prosecuted as a misdemeanor instead of a felony.
On the other hand, discharging a firearm will frequently get you harsher sentences. Especially in 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 Barstow, CA, violent crimes defense attorney can not only protect you from a prison sentence and hefty fine, but also from 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 isn't just battery on your spouse; it includes injuries of all kinds, threats of harm, and even just making someone think that they could be injured. 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 involves the direct, intentional cause of harm to a child, while child endangerment consists of putting a child at risk of harm, either intentionally or unintentionally. These charges can be filed together, amplifying their gravity.
Our expert violent crimes defense lawyers aren't limited to just conflicts between family members who live together. 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
The majority of Barstow, CA, violent crime cases are rooted in some alleged act of violence. But you might also be up against increased charges and/or sentencing enhancement for special circumstances.
One way we frequently see penalties increased is through gang enhancements. If a crime was committed in the furtherance of gang activities, the sentence you face can be increased by several years. Conspiracy charges are dangerous because you can face penalties without having personally done something actively wrong. You could be convicted of conspiracy if you collaborate with somebody else 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, they are often used as enhancements to other crimes. The prosecutor in Barstow, CA may charge another crime as a hate crime if they believe that the alleged offender's motivation was related to race, religion, sexuality, or another protected characteristic.
Furthermore, our Barstow, CA, violent crimes attorneys can help protect 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 a harder time securing early release. With two prior strikes, the penalty could be 25-years-to-life in prison, with further restrictions on parole.
Procedural and Governance Charges Defense Lawyers
When you get into an altercation with the police in Barstow, CA, you can expect to face extra harsh violent crime charges. 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 set of charges, though these ones can penalize you for any way you prevent an officer from doing their job, regardless of if they were trying to arrest you.
In most cases, if you're accused of a violent crime in Barstow, CA, you'll be in municipal court against a local prosecuting attorney. On some occasions, when the accusations are especially 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 proud to represent you against federal crimes in addition to state charges.
Top 3 Violent Crimes Defense Lawyer Qualities
Violent crimes charges require top-tier defense attorneys. When you're deciding on an attorney to defend your rights in Barstow, CA, 'good enough' isn't good enough. You want a legal team with the below 3 qualities:
- 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 defense results.
- Diverse Legal Experience: We have over 50 years of combined law experience, including time as prosecutors, judges, and police officers. We have inside knowledge of 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 Barstow, CA. We have relationships with 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.
Staunch Defenses Against Violent Crime Charges – Call Our Lawyers Today
You need help when you're fighting against violent crimes allegations. The legal system is convoluted. The Barstow, CA, prosecutor is powerful. And the punishments are grim. If you don't have 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 take a passive approach to your defense. We don't accept a poor plea deal, just because it was faster. We battle the state. We make a defense with you at the center, and fight for your rights from the day you call until the case is concluded.
Contact us now to begin putting together your defense. Call us at (800) 755-5174 or tell us about your case via our online contact form to speak with a lawyer about how to protect your rights.
We also offer the following legal services in Barstow, CA:
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