Violent Crimes Lawyer Cerritos, CA. Fighting violent crimes charges is critical to your future. They risk torpedoing your reputation, ruining your career, and worst of all, a lengthy prison sentence. But you have a chance at a more positive outcome. 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 skillful Cerritos, CA, violent crimes defense lawyers will listen to you about your case, be honest with our recommendations, and come up with defensive strategies that will be effective for your situation. We know that every case is unique and treat every client with respect. If you need to craft your defense, contact us at (800) 755-5174 or reach out online now for a no-obligation, private consultation.
How the Law Offices of David S. Chesley's Lawyers Defend You Against Violent Crimes Accusations
Our team of Cerritos, CA, criminal defense lawyers know that every violent crime case is unique, and we build a defense that's suited to your specific case. Here's how we'll do that for your case:
- 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 look into the charges and Cerritos, 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 of others, lack of intent, or false allegations.
- Negotiatiate With the State – Any time we communicate with the Cerritos 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.
Major Cerritos, 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. While you might be picturing cuts and bruises, California law actually describes assault as an attempt to inflict "a violent injury on someone else." Many people don't realize that to be charged with assault, one only has to attempt to cause harm, not necessarily actually cause harm.
Simple assault charges are usually a misdemeanor, however 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: Assault using a weapon other than a gun. 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 is similar to assault because both involve attempted harm. However, in battery's case, the harm was successful, rather than just being attempted. After a fight, Cerritos, CA prosecutors are often prone to issue both assault and battery charges to defendants. On the other hand, 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 Cerritos, CA. This can include reckless driving, child endangerment, and similar charges. As a result of the difference in specific laws, it's critical to find 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 Cerritos, CA,:
- False Imprisonment: This occurs when an individual detaining another without just cause, 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 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 used for particularly grisly allegations of harm, wherein the action was performed for a sadistic purpose.
- 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: Whether or not you burned something on purpose is the key difference between arson charges and reckless burning.
- 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 Cerritos, CA, it comes with many constraints. California firearm offenses cover a large swath of statutes, sometimes even just being the result of unlawful possession.
Frequently, these charges are related to a felon in possession of a firearm, but you could also face them for carrying a concealed firearm when you don't have a permit or a felon possessing ammunition.
While any Cerritos, CA, firearm charges are significant, 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 can greatly increase the punishment you're facing. 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 excellent Cerritos, CA, violent crimes defense attorney can not only protect you from a prison sentence and hefty fine, but also from 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. But if family is involved, they get even scarier. Domestic violence has a wider definition than battery on your spouse; it includes intentional or unintentional harm, threats of abuse, and even just causing a situation where someone is afraid they'll be hurt. And for it to qualify as 'domestic,' the alleged victim can be anyone from your spouse to your child to your roommate.
Domestic violence charges aren't the only ones that are defined by the alleged victim. 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, amplifying their seriousness.
Our expert violent crimes defense lawyers can help with more than just alleged conflicts between spouses and children. We can also help you fight animal cruelty charges, elder abuse charges, and, if an adolescent or child is the alleged offender, juvenile crime charges.
Sentencing Enhancement Defense Lawyers
If you're facing violent crime charges in Cerritos, CA, there's a good chance that they're one of the ones above. That said, you might also face heightened 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, anywhere from 4 years to life can be added onto the sentence, depending on the alleged crime. Conspiracy charges are closely related. You could be found guilty of conspiracy if you agree with someone else to break the law, and either one of you does something that furthers the commission of the 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, they are frequently used as enhancements to other crimes. The prosecution in Cerritos, CA is likely to apply a hate crime label if the alleged offender's motivation was related to race, religion, sexuality, or another protected characteristic.
Furthermore, our Cerritos, 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, sentences for felony convictions are 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 additional contstraints on early release.
Procedural and Governance Charges Defense Lawyers
Cerritos, CA, violent crime charges can be particularly damaging if they were allegedly committed against law enforcement. Assault on a police officer is more heavily penalized than assault against other civilians, while resisting arrest covers actions ranging from stealing a police officers gun to just acting disobediently. 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 Cerritos, CA, you'll be in municipal court against a local prosecuting attorney. But for more serious cases, 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 prepared to represent you against federal crimes as well as state charges.
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 Cerritos, CA, you want someone with the below 3 qualities:
- Prior Success: You want a lawyer who knows how to fight your specific charge. Our team is know for our successful violent crime case results.
- Diverse Legal Experience: The Law Offices of David S. Chesley, Inc., has over 50 years of combined law 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: We handle court cases all over California, including in Cerritos, CA. We are familiar with local prosecutors and judges, and will use them to your advantage.
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 those qualities.
Ferocious Protection Against Violent Crime Charges – Call Us Right Away
Violent crimes charges are tough to fight on your own. The court system is convoluted. The Cerritos, CA, district attorney is intimidating. And the consequences are tough. If you don't have an expert violent crimes lawyer to defend you, your liberty and constitutional rights are at risk.
At the Law Offices of David S. Chesley, Inc., we don't take a passive approach to your defense. We don't settle for a bad plea deal, just because it was easier to get. We confront the charges. We start every case by listening to our client, and defend your freedom from the day you call until the case is over.
Contact us now to start building 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 lawyer about how to fight these charges.
We also offer the following legal services in Cerritos, CA:
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