Violent Crimes Lawyer Camarillo, CA. Any criminal accusations are serious, but few are as serious as violent crimes. They risk destroying your reputation, ruining your career, and possibly worst yet, a long time in jail or prison. But accusations are not the same as convictions. And when you work with 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):

Our expert Camarillo, CA, violent crimes defense lawyers will listen to you about your case, be honest with our recommendations, and come up with defense tactics that should be effective for your case. 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 contact us online today for a free, confidential consultation.

The Law Offices of David S. Chesley's Process to Defend You Against Violent Crimes Charges

Our team of Camarillo, CA, criminal defense lawyers are aware of how complex violent crimes allegations are, 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 your side of the story.
  • Research the Law and Your Case – We'll investigate the charges and Camarillo, CA, violent crime law specificsIf there are any quirks that are applicable to your case, we'll find them.
  • Put Together a Defense Strategy – Our team will recommend a defensive strategy such as self-defense, mistaken identity, or procedural error.
  • 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 your case reaches 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. Before you can be conficted in Camarillo, CA, the state needs to prove components like your culpability beyond a reasonable doubt. Many cases begin with a preliminary hearing, where we can challenge evidence early. Violent crimes charges carry some of the harshes penalties in California, especially if they are charged as a felony (as opposed to a misdemeanor). 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.

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) occurs when one person threatens or attempts to hurt another, meanwhile battery (Penal Code 242) involves actually causing harm. Each of these can be misdemeanors or felonies, with the state making that decision based on the circumstances. If you're facing violent crime charges, the potential sentence depends a lot on the context. First-time offenders facing misdemeanor charges are more likely to avoid prison, 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.

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Major Camarillo, CA, Violent Crime Categories 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 the person of another." Most people are unaware that to be guilty of assault, there only has to be an attempt at causing harm, not necessarily actually cause harm.

While simple assault charges are harsh in and of themselves, there are several more serious variations of them. 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: Attempts to harm while using a weapon other than a gun. These variations don't actually have statutes of their own, and instead are nicknames used to describe specific assault cases

As discussed above, assault only requires an attempt to cause harm. Battery is similar to assault because both involve attempted harm. However, in battery's case, the harm was successful, rather than simply being attempted. After a fight, Camarillo, CA prosecutors are often prone to issue both assault and battery charges to defendants. 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.

Reckless endangerment charges are another set of charges that are typical in Camarillo, CA. This can include reckless driving, child endangerment, and other charges along those lines. Because of the difference in specific laws, it's important to work with a violent crimes lawyer who knows not only how to defend against individual charges, but also the combinations of them.

Our violent crimes defense lawyers can also help you with the following charges in Camarillo, CA,:

  • False Imprisonment: This is defined as an incident 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 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: Sometimes, criminal threats charges might be referred to as terrorist threats, if they are especially bad – you can expect there to be links to hate crimes 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

The right to bear arms comes with many restrictions and responsibilities in Camarillo, CA. California firearm offenses vary widely in nature and scope, and you don't even have to fire the gun to get in trouble. You can be arrested simply for unlawful possession.

Most commonly, possession charges are related to a felon in possession of a firearm, but it could also be related to possessing a concealed firearm when you don't have a permit or a felon possessing ammunition.

While any Camarillo, CA, gun charges are important to take seriously, one thing that can make a big difference is how you supposedly used the gun. 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 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, the penalties are very harsh.

An excellent Camarillo, 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

Violent crime charges are bad enough on their own. 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 intentional or unintentional harm, threats of abuse, 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, raising their seriousness.

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, in cases with youth defendants, juvenile crime charges.

Sentencing Enhancement Defense Lawyers

The majority of Camarillo, CA, violent crime cases are rooted in some alleged act of violence. But you could also be up against heightened charges and/or sentencing enhancement for special circumstances.

In many cases, the punishments can be heightened via 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 closely related. You can be found guilty of conspiracy if you make a plan with someone else to break the law, 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, it's common for them to be used as enhancements to other crimes. The district attorney in Camarillo, CA is likely to apply a hate crime label if the alleged offender was motivated by hatred towards a demographic that the alleged victim belonged to.

Lastly, our Camarillo, CA, violent crimes attorneys can help protect you against 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 will have a harder time securing early release. With two prior strikes, the sentence could be increased to 25-years-to-life in prison, with further restrictions 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 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.

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. Sometimes, though, a federal prosecutor may take over. You don't want to go to federal court alone. You don't want to face the full force of the United States government without help. The Law Offices of David S. Chesley, Inc., is equipped to be your defense attorney for federal crimes as well as state charges.

Additional Miscellaneous Violent Crime Defense Services We Offer

Robbery and Related Offenses: Armed Robbery, Carjacking, and Burglary

A robbery defense attorney is essential if you're facing charges like carjacking (PC 215). Carjacking goes beyond grand theft: While grand theft auto involves the taking of a vehicle without its owner's permission, it doesn't necessarily include any interaction with the owners themselves. Carjacking, on the other hand, does involve a forceful interaction with the owner. Because of this, it carries a harsher penalty because of its violent nature, up to 9 years in prison.

In one case, a client faced armed robbery charges after a misunderstanding during a transaction. By exposing false accusations and procedural errors, we secured a misdemeanor plea with no jail time. If you're on parole or have any convictions on your record, these can trigger enhancements. Depending on the nature of the alleged crime and your relationship with the victim, you might alse be up against a restraining order.

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Navigating a domestic violence case?Video: Law Offices of David ChesleyWatch on YouTube

Top 3 Violent Crimes Defense Lawyer Qualities

Violent crimes charges require top-tier defense attorneys. When you're picking an attorney to fight your case in Camarillo, CA, 'good enough' isn't good enough. You want a legal team 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. Local Relationships: Our team of attorneys cover cases across the state, including in Camarillo, CA. We are familiar with local prosecutors and judges, and will use them to your advantage.

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 someone with all those characteristics.

Three Strikes Law Defense in Camarillo, CA

California's Three Strikes Law (Penal Code 667) can greatly impact violent crimes charges in Camarillo, CA. Enacted in 1994, it mandates 25 years to life for a third "strike" felony if priors include serious or violent crimes. Because of this, it's even more critical for you to work with an expert violent crimes defense lawyer if you have any prior convictions on your record.

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: We file Romero motions to strike priors if they're old, minor, or unjust. These are more likely to be successful by showing flaws with the older case, or proof of rehabilitation.
  • Resentencing Petitions: After Proposition 36 was passed in 2012, thousands of people have been resentenced. This has the potential to reduce charges from a life sentence down to time served, if the 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. Lack of intent defenses prevent strike enhancements.
  • Constitutional Challenges: We argue cruel and unusual punishment, especially for disproportionate sentences. 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 Your Future: On top of increasing your sentence, strikes delay parole eligibility. We advocate for early release or expungement where possible.

A Camarillo, 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 Camarillo, CA. Reforms continue, but without aggressive defense, clients face lifelong consequences. If you're facing a third strike in California, it's easy to feel despair. But your case isn't over yet – call the Law Offices of David S. Chesley today to fight for your freedom.

Ferocious Protection Against Violent Crime Charges – Call Our Attorneys Now

Don't try to face violent crimes accusations alone. The legal system is complicated. The Camarillo, CA, prosecutor is strong. And the consequences are brutal. Without an expert violent crimes lawyer at your side, your freedom and constitutional rights are in danger.

At the Law Offices of David S. Chesley, Inc., we don't stand idly by and let the state build its case. We don't accept a poor plea deal, just because it was easier to get. We battle the state. We listen to your story, craft a resolute defense, and protect your rights from the day you call until the case is concluded.

Contact us now to start putting together your defense. Call (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 protect your rights.

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