Violent Crimes Lawyer Camarillo, CA. When you're up against violent crimes charges, it can feel like the whole world is against you. They risk destroying your reputation, ruining your career, and worst of all, a long time in jail or prison. But you can fight to protect yourself. And when you hire the Law Offices of David S. Chesley, Inc., you're getting expert legal representation to protect you from these devestating 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 skillful Camarillo, CA, violent crimes defense lawyers will investigate your case, be honest with our recommendations, and develop defense strategies that will be effective for your circumstances. We view your case, and you as a person, as unique and deserving of individual attention. If you're ready to construct your defense, contact us at (800) 755-5174 or send us a note online now for a no-obligation, confidential consultation to discuss your case.
How the Law Offices of David S. Chesley's Lawyers Defend You Against Violent Crimes Allegations
Our team of Camarillo, CA, criminal defense lawyers are aware of how complex violent crimes allegations are, and we give each of our clients' cases a tailored defense. This is how we do it:
- Listen to Your Story – We believe that you should be at the center of your defense. We want to hear your side of the story.
- Research the Statutes and Your Case – We'll look into the charges and Camarillo, 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, consent, or false allegations.
- Plea Bargain With the State – Any time we communicate with the Camarillo 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 present our matchless defense in court and show the judge and/or jury your side of the story.
Major Camarillo, CA, Violent Crime Allegations We Defend
Assault, Threats, and Interpersonal Harm Defense Lawyers
Assault is perhaps the most prototypical violent crime charge people thing of. While you might be picturing cuts and bruises, California law actually describes assault as an attempt to inflict "a violent injury on the person of another." Many people aren't aware that to be guilty of assault, one only has to attempt to cause harm, even if you don't actually cause harm.
Simple assault charges are usually a misdemeanor, however the line can be fuzzy between simple assault and some of it's more serious versions. Aggravated assault is just that: assault with intent to cause serious bodily injury. Another similar one is assault with a deadly weapon: Assault using a non-firearm weapon. These variations don't actually have statutes of their own, and instead are nicknames used to describe specific assault cases
You might be asking yourself now, "What's the difference between assault and battery?" Battery is a step past assault, and allegations include actual harm being caused, rather than simply being attempted. In Camarillo, CA, it's common to be charged with both at the same time after an altercation. Meanwhile, 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 Camarillo, CA. This can include reckless driving, child endangerment, and other charges along those lines. As a result of the difference in specific statutes, it's paramount to find a violent crimes lawyer who can protect you from any of the possible charges.
The Law Offices of David S. Chesley, Inc., also defends against the below violent crimes charges in Camarillo, 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 grim reasons 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: Terrorist threats aren't their own statute, but are an unofficial term for certain criminal threats charges – 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: If a fight resulted in the permanent scarring of another person, the aggressor can be charged with mayhem.
- 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 can either consist of starting a riot or participating in one, and is normally a misdemeanor unless it occurs in a jail and/or someone is seriously harmed.
Firearm Mishandling Defense Lawyers
While most people do still have the right to own a firearm in Camarillo, CA, it comes with many constraints. California firearm offenses cover a large swath of statutes, and you don't even have to fire the gun to get in trouble. You can be arrested simply for unlawful possession.
Often, unlawful possession charges are related to a felon in possession of a firearm, but you could also face them for possessing a concealed firearm without a permit or a felon possessing ammunition.
While all Camarillo, CA, gun charges are serious, a major differentiator is whether you allegedly used the weapon or not. Brandishing a weapon normally does not include use of the weapon beyond showing it with the intent to scare another person. Most of the time this is charged as a misdemeanor.
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, it's unlikely that you'd get off with a small fee or community service.
An expert Camarillo, 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
The stakes are high for all kinds of violent crime allegations. But if family is involved, they get even scarier. Domestic violence has a wider definition than 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.
If the alleged victim was a child, that can also affect which charges are filed. 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, 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 Camarillo, CA, there's a good chance that they're one of the ones above. But you could also face increased charges and/or sentencing enhancement if certain circumstances apply.
One way we frequently see penalties increased is through gang enhancements. If a crime was committed in the furtherance of gang activities, prison sentences can drastically increase, though exactly how much depends on the alleged crime. 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 someone 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. While hate crimes can be standalone offenses, it's common for them to be used as enhancements to other crimes. The district attorney in Camarillo, 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.
Lastly, our Camarillo, CA, violent crimes attorneys can help protect you from California's three strikes law. For alleged repeat offenders, this law can become a tremendous hurdle. Previous felony convictions may count as "strikes" against you. 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. With two prior strikes, the sentence could be increased to 25-years-to-life in prison, with additional contstraints on early release.
Procedural and Governance Charges Defense Lawyers
If the alleged violent crime was committed against a law enforcement officer in Camarillo, CA, the allegations can be even more severe. Assault on a police officer can result in more prison time than if the assault was against a non-officer, while resisting arrest carries similarly harsher sentences for a wide array of alleged misconduct. 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.
In most cases, if you're accused of a violent crime in Camarillo, CA, you'll be in municipal court against a local prosecuting attorney. But when the state views a case as extra severe, a federal prosecutor will take charge. 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 ready to be your defense attorney for 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 an attorney to defend your rights in Camarillo, CA, it's important to hire a firm with the below 3 qualities:
- Prior Success: You want to be represented by an attorney who knows the ins and outs of the California court system. Our team is know for our successful violent crime defense results.
- Varied Legal Experience: Our team has over 50 years of combined legal experience, including time as prosecutors, judges, and police officers. We have inside knowledge of the ways the state tries to get violent crimes convictions, and how to fight for a positive outcome.
- Relationships in Your Area's Court: We're ready for your case in Camarillo, CA. We have relationships with 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 characteristics.
Staunch Protection Against Violent Crime Charges – Call Our Firm Today
Don't try to face violent crimes accusations alone. The court system is complex. The Camarillo, CA, district attorney is intimidating. And the punishments are severe. Without an expert violent crimes lawyer at your side, 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 battle the state. We listen to your story, craft a resolute defense, and defend your rights from the day you call until the case is concluded.
Reach out to us now to start putting together your defense. Call us at (800) 755-5174 or let us know how we can help you on our online contact form to speak with a member of our team about how to fight these charges.
We also offer the following legal services in Camarillo, CA:
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