Violent Crimes Lawyer Burbank, CA

Violent Crimes Lawyer Burbank, CA. We know how overwhelming it can be to be facing violent crime accusations. They risk torpedoing your reputation, ruining your career, and worst yet, a lengthy prison sentence. But you can fight to protect yourself. And with the Law Offices of David S. Chesley, Inc., you are hiring a team that knows how to safeguard you from these devestating consequences. We will tenatiously defend you against violent crimes accusations from any of categories (and more):

• Assault, Threats, and Interpersonal Harm
• Firearm Mishandling
• Family and Animal Abuse
• Sentencing Enhancements
• Procedural and Governance Charges

Our experienced Burbank, CA, violent crimes defense lawyers will listen to you about your case, give you honest advice, and develop defense tactics that should be effective for your situation. You deserve a defense tailored to you, and we can provide that. If you're ready to craft your defense, call us at (800) 755-5174 or reach out online now 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 Accusations

Our team of Burbank, CA, criminal defense lawyers know how different each violent crimes accusation can be, and we build a defense that's suited to your specific case. It all starts with the following steps:

• 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 research the specifics of the charges and Burbank, CA, violent crime law specifics, to ensure that we're well prepared to build a strong defensive strategy.
• Craft a Defense Strategy – Our team will recommend a defensive strategy such as defense, lack of intent, or procedural error.
• Plea Bargain With the State – Any time we communicate with the Burbank prosecution about your case, we will stand strong to find a deal that works for you.
• Fight At Trial – If there is a 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. If you're facing accusations of one of these crimes in Burbank, CA, it can be intimidating, but don't panic: The prosecution needs to prove components like your culpability beyond a reasonable doubt. After an investigation, if the state believes it has enough evidence against you, they will make formal charges against you. Felony charges carry harsher penalties, including state prison time, while misdemeanors might result in county jail, probation, or fines. Several of these cases hinge on testimony as much as physical evidence — our attorneys will dissect alleged victim testimony in cross-examination and show your side of the story.

If you're curious about violent crime distinctions, the difference between assault and battery in California is critical: Assault (Penal Code 240) does not require any actual harm done (just an attempt or threat), 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. Outcomes vary a lot depending on the specific charges and past history of the alleged offender. 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. We focus on defense strategies like procedural errors in the arrest or lack of intent to mitigate outcomes.

Major Burbank, CA, Violent Crime Allegations 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. In fact, the literal definition describes it as attempting "a violent injury on somebody." A lot of people aren't aware that to be guilty of assault, there only has to be an attempt at causing 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 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. Closely related is assault with a deadly weapon: Committing assault 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 occurs when harm is actually done, instead of only being attempted. You'll find that in many cases, if you're accused of battery in Burbank, CA, you'll also be accused of assault. On the flip side, 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.

We also commonly defend reckless endangerment charges in Burbank, CA. This can include reckless driving, child endangerment, and other charges along those lines. Due to the difference in specific statutes, it's paramount to work with a violent crimes lawyer who knows how to defend each of the charges.

Our violent crime defense attorneys can also help you fight the following charges in Burbank, CA,:

• False Imprisonment: This occurs when one person confines another to a space against their will, for example, locking another person in a room.
• Kidnapping: Kidnapping consists of taking a person from one location to another against their will.
• Human Trafficking: As opposed to the above allegations, human trafficking is done for particular, extra heinous reasons like 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 – watch out for linked hate crime accusations in these cases.
• Torture: Torture goes beyond battery and includes serious injuries, done to make the alleged victim suffer.
• Mayhem: Mayhem is like a more advanced version of battery, though in this case, a permanent disfigurement or disability must have been caused.
• Arson: Whether or not you burned something on purpose is the key difference between arson charges and reckless burning.
• Rioting: Rioting charges can be split into inciting the riot or participating in it, but both are usually charged as misdemeanors.

Firearm Mishandling Defense Lawyers

While most people do still have the right to own a firearm in Burbank, CA, it comes with many constraints. California firearm offenses vary widely in nature and scope, and you can get in trouble for something as simple as unlawful possession.

Most commonly, unlawful possession 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 any Burbank, CA, firearm charges are important to take seriously, 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 contrary, 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 excellent Burbank, CA, violent crimes defense attorney will protect you from the legal consequences of these charges, including further restrictions on your Second Amendment rights.

Family and Animal Abuse Defense Lawyers

Violent crime charges are bad enough on their own. Domestic accusations, though, are especially hard to fight. Domestic violence has a wider definition than battery on your spouse; it includes intentional or unintentional harm, 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.

Domestic violence charges aren't the only ones that are defined by the alleged victim. 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 are often filed together, heightening their seriousness.

Our expert 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, should your child be the accused, juvenile crime charges.

Sentencing Enhancement Defense Lawyers

The majority of Burbank, CA, violent crime cases are rooted in some alleged act of violence. However, you might also be up against heightened 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, anywhere from 4 years to life can be added onto the sentence, depending on the alleged crime. Conspiracy charges are dangerous because you can face penalties without having personally done something actively wrong. You could be found guilty of conspiracy if you agree with another person 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. While hate crimes can be standalone offenses, you can also see them used as enhancements to other crimes. The prosecutor in Burbank, CA is likely to apply a hate crime label if they believe that the alleged offender committed the crime as an attack against a specific protected group.

Furthermore, our Burbank, CA, violent crimes attorneys can help protect you from 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 won't be eligible for parole until you've served 80% of the sentence. If a conviction would be your third strike, the sentence could be increased to 25-years-to-life in prison, with additional restraints on parole.

Procedural and Governance Charges Defense Lawyers

Burbank, 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 covers actions ranging from stealing a police officers gun to just acting disobediently. 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.

For the majority of violent crime charges, you'll be up against the local Burbank, CA prosecution. On some occasions, when the accusations are especially severe, a federal prosecutor may take over. 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 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 for 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 any convictions on your record, you could face sentencing enhancements if convicted. 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 defend you in Burbank, CA, 'good enough' isn't good enough. You want someone with the below 3 qualities:

1. Prior 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.
2. Relationships in Your Area's Court: Our team of attorneys cover cases across the state, including in Burbank, CA. We are familiar with local prosecutors and judges, and will use them to your advantage.

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 Burbank

California's Three Strikes Law (Penal Code 667) is important to keep in mind for violent crimes charges in Burbank, CA. Enacted in 1994, it mandates 25 years to life for a third "strike" felony if priors include serious or violent crimes. Even non-violent third strikes once triggered life sentences until Proposition 36 reformed it in 2012, allowing resentencing for some.

As a violent crime defense attorney, I dedicate extensive resources to Three Strikes cases. 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 Against Three Strikes Charges in Burbank, CA:

• Romero Motions: Romero motions protect you by asking a judge to ignore a prior strike that is not fair to use against you. Success rates are high with compelling arguments, like rehabilitation or procedural errors in old cases.
• Resentencing Petitions: Post-Prop 36, over 2,000 have been resentenced. Our legal team will petition for a reduction in sentences when your third strike was non-violent.
• Avoiding New Strikes: If your case is ongoing, we will argue for charges to be reduced down to misdemeanors when possible, avoiding a strike. Lack of intent defenses prevent strike enhancements.
• Constitutional Challenges: If the sentence is wildly out of proportion for the alleged crime, we can argue that it is cruel and unusual. This would make it unconstitutional for the court to give such a sentence to you. 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: Stirkes not only add onto your sentence: they also delay parole eligibility. We advocate for early release or expungement where possible.

If you're facing Three Strikes charges in Burbank, CA, you need to act fast to protect your freedom. The third strike can carry a life sentence. You need a lawyer with the resources to protect your future. And the Law Offices of David S. Chesley has those resources. We have a team of leading California attorneys ready to stand by you, from day one until the case is done.

Minorities and low-income individuals are frequently affected by California's Three Strikes law in Burbank, CA. Right now, a high-quality defense is needed to protect alleged offenders from lifelong impacts. Don't give up; these cases are winnable. Contact our team today if you need help.

Tenatious Defenses Against Violent Crime Charges – Call Our Lawyers Now

Violent crimes charges are tough to fight on your own. The court system is complicated. The Burbank, CA, district attorney is frightening. And the consequences are brutal. If you're lacking an expert violent crimes lawyer to defend you, your innocence 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 the first one offered. We confront the charges. We make a defense with you at the center, and defend your rights from day one until the case is concluded.

Reach out to us now to begin putting together your defense. Call (800) 755-5174 or fill out our online contact form to speak with a member of our team about how to protect your rights.

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

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