Violent Crimes Lawyer Century City, CA. When you're up against violent crimes charges, it can feel like the whole world is against you. They risk damaging your reputation, devastating your career, and perhaps worst yet, a long time in jail or prison. But accusations are not the same as convictions. And when you call the Law Offices of David S. Chesley, Inc., you're getting expert legal representation to protect 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 Century City, CA, violent crimes defense lawyers will research your case, tell you the truth about your situation, and look for defensive strategies that should be effective for your circumstances. We know that every case is unique and treat every client with respect. If you need to construct your defense, call (800) 755-5174 or fill out our contact form now for a no-obligation, confidential consultation.
The Law Offices of David S. Chesley's Process to Defend You Against Violent Crimes Charges
Our team of Century City, CA, criminal defense lawyers know that every violent crime case is unique, and we give each of our clients' cases a tailored defense. It all starts with the following steps:
- Learn About 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 look into the charges and Century City, 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 lawyers will recommend a defensive strategy such as self-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 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 Century City, CA, Violent Crime Categories 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 somebody." Many people don't know that to be charged with assault, there only has to be an attempt at causing harm, not necessarily 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. Another similar one is assault with a deadly weapon: Attempts to harm while using a non-firearm weapon. These variations aren't official charges, but rather subcategories for more serious assault charges
As discussed above, assault only requires an attempt to cause harm. Battery occurs when harm is actually done, rather than simply being attempted. In Century City, CA, it's common to be charged with both at the same time after an altercation. On the other hand, criminal threats charges don't even require an attempt at violence, just an attempt to intimidate someone. You can be found guilty even if you didn't have the ability to carry out the threats.
Another important set of charges we commonly defend against in this category is reckless endangerment charges. This can include reckless driving, child endangerment, and similar charges. As a result of the difference in specific statutes, you need to find a violent crimes lawyer who knows not only how to defend against individual charges, but also the combinations of them.
If you're facing other violent crimes charges, we can help: Here are some other interpersonal harm charges we defend in Century City, CA,:
- False Imprisonment: This occurs when one person confines another to a space against their will, and could be as simple as you allegedly blocking a doorway.
- 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 particular, extra grim 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: Terrorist threats aren't their own statute, but are an unofficial term for certain criminal threats charges – you're also likely to see hate crime charges in these cases.
- Torture: Torture is a specific, grevious category of attack done for reasons such as revenge or extortion.
- Mayhem: Mayhem is like a more advanced version of battery, though in this case, a permanent disfigurement or disability must have been caused.
- 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
Due to state law, you're not able to just do whatever you please with a gun in Century City, CA. California firearm offenses cover a large swath of statutes, sometimes even just being the result of unlawful possession.
In many cases, these charges are related to a felon in possession of a firearm, but you could also face them for carrying a concealed firearm without a permit or a felon possessing ammunition.
While all Century City, CA, firearm charges are perilous, 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. 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 excellent Century City, 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 goes beyond battery on your spouse; it includes injuries of all kinds, threats of abuse, and even just causing a situation where someone is afraid they'll be hurt. 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.
Crimes against children also have their own specific legal categories. Child abuse is reserved for deliberate acts of violence against children (like hitting them), while child endangerment includes either negligently or purposefully putting a child in danger. These charges can be filed together, increasing their gravity.
Our household 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
Some violent crime accusations are just that – the Century City, CA, prosecutor alleges that you committed an action that broke the law. However, you could also face heightened charges and/or sentencing enhancement if certain circumstances apply.
One of the most common examples is gang enhancements. If a different crime was committed as a part 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 could be found guilty of conspiracy if you make a plan with somebody else to break the law, and either one of you does something overt to advance the plan.
Another way you can see your sentence raised is if you're accused of a hate crime. Sometimes, a hate crime accusation is its own charge. However, they are often used as enhancements to other crimes. The district attorney in Century City, CA may charge another crime as a hate crime if the alleged offender was motivated by hatred towards a demographic that the alleged victim belonged to.
Additionally, our Century City, 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. When convicted and given a third strike, you are facing 25-years-to-life in prison, with further contstraints on parole.
Procedural and Governance Charges Defense Lawyers
When you get into an altercation with the police in Century City, CA, you can expect to face extra harsh violent crime charges. 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 closely related set of charges, though these ones can broadly apply to anything done to get in their way, whether or not they were trying to arrest you.
For the majority of violent crime charges, you'll be up against the local Century City, CA prosecution. On some occasions, when the accusations are especially 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 represent you against federal crimes as well as state charges.
Top 3 Violent Crimes Defense Lawyer Qualities
Violent crimes charges need high-quality defense lawyers. When you're deciding on a lawyer to protect you in Century City, CA, 'good enough' isn't good enough. You want 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 experience in the ways the state prosecutes these cases, and how to fight against them.
- Local Relationships: We handle court cases all over California, including in Century City, CA. We have relationships with local prosecutors and judges, and will leverage our relationships in your negotiations.
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.
Ferocious Protection Against Violent Crime Charges – Call Our Legal Team Now
Don't try to face violent crimes accusations alone. The court system is complicated. The Century City, CA, district attorney is formidable. And the punishments are severe. 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 start every case by listening to our client, and defend your rights from day one until the case is done.
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 defend you.
We also offer the following legal services in Century City, CA:
Payment Plans
