Violent Crimes Lawyer Bellflower, CA. Any criminal accusations are serious, but few are as serious as violent crimes. They risk destroying your reputation, setting back your career, and worst yet, a lengthy prison sentence. But accusations are not the same as convictions. And when you hire the Law Offices of David S. Chesley, Inc., you are hiring a team that knows how to safeguard you from these 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 Bellflower, CA, violent crimes defense lawyers will look into your case, be honest with our recommendations, and find defensive strategies that will be effective for your case. You deserve a defense tailored to you, and we can provide that. If you need to craft your defense, contact us at (800) 755-5174 or fill out our contact form now 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 Accusations
Our team of Bellflower, 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 – Every case starts with our client. You can be honest with us about everything, and we'll start with your perspective.
- Research the Statutes and Your Case – We'll investigate the charges and Bellflower, CA, violent crime law specifics, to see if there are any special circumstances which apply to you.
- Put Together 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 stick with you from start to finish, fighting for a positive outcome.
Major Bellflower, CA, Violent Crime Accusations 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 someone else." Most people don't know 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 are usually a misdemeanor, however there are several more serious variations of them. Aggravated assault charge types in particular are very similar to assault: they normally requires that the alleged offender was trying to cause 'serious' harm rather than general harm. Another similar one is assault with a deadly weapon: Attempts to harm 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
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 just being attempted. You'll find that in many cases, if you're accused of battery in Bellflower, CA, you'll also be accused of assault. 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. 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 Bellflower, CA. This can include reckless driving, child endangerment, and other charges along those lines. Because of the difference in specific statutes, it's important 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 Bellflower, CA,:
- False Imprisonment: This occurs when an individual detaining another without just cause, 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: Human Trafficking is similar to kidnapping or false imprisonment, but is done for particular, extra heinous reasons such as forced labor or sex.
- Stalking: To be guilty of stalking in California, you have to both follow a person without their consent, and make a believable threat.
- Terrorist Threats: Terrorist threats are another form of criminal threats – you're also likely to see hate crime charges 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: 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 Bellflower, CA, it comes with many constraints. California firearm offenses vary widely in nature and scope, sometimes even just being the result of unlawful possession.
Frequently, these charges are related to a felon in possession of a firearm, but they could also be the result of possessing a concealed firearm without a permit or a felon possessing ammunition.
While all Bellflower, CA, firearm charges are significant, a major differentiator is whether you allegedly used the weapon or not. 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 almost always be a more serious charge. Particularly in cases such as a drive-by shooting or shooting at an inhabited dwelling, the penalties are very harsh.
An expert Bellflower, 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. However, the stigma and penalties are even worse when spouses, children, or other family members are affected. Domestic violence has a wider definition than battery on your spouse; it includes any actual harm caused, threats of abuse, and even just placing someone in fear of harm. 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 charges are saved for when someone alleged hurt a child on purpose, meanwhile child endangerment consists of putting a child at risk of harm, either intentionally or unintentionally. These charges can be filed together, expanding their gravity.
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, should your child be the accused, juvenile crime charges.
Sentencing Enhancement Defense Lawyers
If you're facing violent crime charges in Bellflower, CA, there's a good chance that they're one of the ones above. But you could also face elevated charges and/or sentencing enhancement should your case fall into certain categories.
In many cases, the punishments can be heightened via 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 dangerous because you can face penalties without having personally done something actively wrong. You can be convicted of conspiracy if you make a plan with somebody else to commit a crime, and either one of you does something that furthers the commission of the crime.
Another way you can see your sentence raised is if you're accused of a hate crime. Hate crime charges can be their own case, but, they are frequently used as enhancements to other crimes. The district attorney in Bellflower, CA may charge another crime as a hate crime if they think that the alleged offender committed the crime as an attack against a specific protected group.
Additionally, our Bellflower, CA, violent crimes attorneys can help protect you against California's three strikes law. Under it, certain serious felonies are classified as "strikes" in your criminal history. With one prior strike, if you are convicted of a new felony, the sentence will be doubled, and you will have to wait significantly longer before earning eligibility for parole. When convicted and given a third strike, the sentence could be increased to 25-years-to-life in prison, with further limitations on early release.
Procedural and Governance Charges Defense Lawyers
Bellflower, 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 similar set 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 Bellflower, CA, local prosecutor. On some occasions, when the accusations are especially severe, 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 equipped to represent you against federal crimes as well as state charges.
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 defend you in Bellflower, CA, it's important to hire 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 is know for our successful violent crime case results.
- Varied Legal Experience: We have over 50 years of combined courtroom experience, including time as prosecutors, judges, and police officers. We have experience in how the state prosecutes these cases, and how to fight against them.
- Relationships in Your Area's Court: Our team of attorneys cover cases across the state, including in Bellflower, CA. We know local prosecutors and judges, and will leverage our relationships in your negotiations.
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 someone with all those properties.
Staunch Defenses Against Violent Crime Charges – Call Us Now
Don't try to face violent crimes accusations alone. The laws are convoluted. The Bellflower, CA, district attorney is intimidating. And the penalties are brutal. Without an expert violent crimes lawyer to defend you, your innocence and constitutional rights are in danger.
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 accept a poor plea deal, just because it was faster. We fight. We start every case by listening to our client, and protect your freedom from day one until the case is done.
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 fight these charges.
We also offer the following legal services in Bellflower, CA:
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