Violent Crimes Lawyer Compton, CA

Violent Crimes Lawyer Compton, CA. Violent crime allegations are dangerous, whether they are felonies or misdemeanors. They risk wrecking your reputation, hurting your career, and worst of all, a lengthy prison sentence. But you can fight to protect yourself. And when you call the Law Offices of David S. Chesley, Inc., you're getting expert legal representation to protect you from these legal and personal consequences. We will fight to protect you from violent crime accusations in each of the below categories (and more):

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

Our skillful Compton, CA, violent crimes defense lawyers will examine your case, give you honest advice, and come up with defense strategies that should be effective for your charges. You deserve a defense tailored to you, and we can provide that. If you're ready to build your defense, contact us at (800) 755-5174 or send us a note online now for a free, confidential consultation to discuss your case.

How the Law Offices of David S. Chesley's Lawyers Defend You Against Violent Crimes Charges

Our team of Compton, CA, criminal defense lawyers know how different each violent crimes accusation can be, and we design our defensive strategy around the specifics of your situation. This is how we do it:

• Learn 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 Law and Your Case – We'll investigate the charges and Compton, CA, violent crime law specificsIf there are any quirks that are applicable to your case, we'll find them.
• Craft a Defense Strategy – Our lawyers will recommend a defensive strategy such as defense, lack of intent, or false allegations.
• Negotiatiate With the State – Any time we communicate with the Compton 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.

Understanding Violent Crimes in California: Felony vs. Misdemeanor Charges

Violent crimes in California encompass a wide range of offenses, from simple assault to more severe acts like armed robbery or kidnapping. The Compton, CA, prosecution, often led by the District Attorney, needs to prove factors like your culpability beyond a reasonable doubt. After an arrest, you face an arraignment hearing, where you are told about the specific charges you're facing. Many violent crime charges in California are 'wobblers,' meaning that they can be charged as either a misdemeanor or a felony. Misdemeanors have lighter sentences, while felonies can land you in prison for years. 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.

For instance, 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, while 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 asking, "Will I go to jail for a first-time violent offense?"—it depends. A first-time misdemeanor assault might lead to probation, 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 Compton, CA, Violent Crime Accusations 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. What's interesting about it is that no harm has to actually be done. To be guilty of assault, one has to attempt "a violent injury on the person of another." Most people don't know that to be charged with assault, one only has to attempt to cause harm, even if you don't actually cause harm.

While simple assault charges are harsh in and of themselves, there are several more serious variations of them. Aggravated assault is just that: assault with intent to cause serious bodily injury. Another similar one is assault with a deadly weapon: Attempts to harm 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

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, Compton, 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 Compton, CA. This can include reckless driving, child endangerment, and other charges along those lines. Because of the difference in each of the laws, it's paramount to find a violent crimes lawyer who knows not only how to defend against individual charges, but also the combinations of them.

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

• False Imprisonment: This is defined as an incident when an individual detaining another without just cause, and could be as simple as you allegedly blocking a doorway.
• Kidnapping: Whereas false imprisonment confines a person to one location, kidnapping involves moving that person to a new location.
• Human Trafficking: Human Trafficking is similar to kidnapping or false imprisonment, but 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 – you can expect there to be links to hate crimes in these cases.
• Torture: Torture goes beyond battery and includes serious injuries, done to make the alleged victim suffer.
• 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

The right to bear arms comes with many restrictions and responsibilities in Compton, 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.

Often, these charges are related to a felon in possession of a firearm, but they could also be the result of possessing a concealed firearm without a permit or a felon possessing ammunition.

While any Compton, CA, gun charges are significant, a major differentiator is whether you allegedly used the weapon or not. Brandishing a weapon is when one person shows another a gun (or other weapon) to intimidate them, not necessarily firing it. Most of the time this is charged as a misdemeanor.

On the other hand, discharging a firearm can greatly increase the punishment you're facing. Especially 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.

A high-quality Compton, 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. But if family is involved, they get even scarier. Domestic violence goes beyond battery on your spouse; it includes any actual harm caused, 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.

Domestic violence charges aren't the only ones that are defined by the alleged victim. Child abuse involves the direct, intentional cause of harm to a child, meanwhile child endangerment could be any action that endangers a child, regardless of whether you meant to or not. These charges can be filed together, amplifying their gravity.

Our household 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, in cases with youth defendants, juvenile crime charges.

Sentencing Enhancement Defense Lawyers

Some violent crime accusations are just that – the Compton, CA, prosecutor alleges that you committed an action that broke the law. However, you might also need to fight increased charges and/or sentencing enhancement for special circumstances.

One of the most common examples is 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 another group-related charge. You can be found guilty of conspiracy if you make a plan with another person to commit a crime, and either one of you does something that furthers the commission of the crime.

Another common sentence enhancement is when an alleged action is charged as a hate crime. Sometimes, a hate crime accusation is its own charge. However, they are often used as enhancements to other charges. The prosecutor in Compton, CA may charge another crime as a hate crime if the alleged offender's motivation was related to race, religion, sexuality, or another protected characteristic.

Additionally, our Compton, CA, violent crimes attorneys can help defend 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 will have to wait significantly longer before earning eligibility for parole. With two prior strikes, you are facing 25-years-to-life in prison, with further limitations on early release.

Procedural and Governance Charges Defense Lawyers

Compton, 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 can range from physical attacks to simply being uncooperative. 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.

These charges, as well as all the charges listed above, are most often handled by the Compton, CA, local prosecutor. On some occasions, when the accusations are especially severe, a federal prosecutor may fight against you. 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 defend you against federal crimes as well as state charges.

Additional Miscellaneous Violent Crime Defense Services We Offer

Robbery and Violent Crimes Intersections: Armed Robbery, Carjacking, and Burglary

Robbery lawyer services are essential for charges like armed robbery, where force or fear is used to take property. Penalties can reach 9 years in prison, especially if a weapon is involved. First-degree burglary, entering a residence with intent to steal, is a felony with 2-6 years. Carjacking (PC 215) involves taking a vehicle by force, punishable by up to 9 years.

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 prior convictions, you could face sentencing enhancements if convicted. Particularly for violent robberys, you're more likely to be given a restraining order against he alleged victim.

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 deciding on an attorney to defend you in Compton, CA, 'good enough' isn't good enough. You want someone with the below 3 qualities:

1. A History of Success: You don't want someone who's new to the California legal system, or new to your type of charge. Our team has a history of successful violent crime defense results.
2. Local Relationships: Our team of attorneys cover cases across the state, including in Compton, CA. We have relationships 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 properties.

California Three Strikes Law Defense: A Significant Focus for Local Clients

California's Three Strikes Law (Penal Code 667) can turn a seemingly straightforward case in Compton, CA, into something much more serious. This law can be devastating for repeat offenders, who face a sentence of 25 years to life after a third serious or violent felony conviction. 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 Against Three Strikes Charges in Compton, CA:

• File Romero Motions: Romero motions can be used to request a judge to remove an existing strike on your record. These are more likely to be successful by showing flaws with the older case, or proof of rehabilitation.
• Resentencing Petitions: Post-Prop 36, over 2,000 have been resentenced. If your third strike was non-violent, we petition for a reduction, potentially cutting life sentences to time served.
• Avoiding New Strikes: In current cases, we negotiate pleas to non-strike offenses, like misdemeanor assault instead of felony. Showing lack of intent is key in thse cases.
• 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: On top of increasing your sentence, strikes delay parole eligibility. We advocate for early release or expungement where possible.

A Compton, 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.

There is much debate in Compton, CA over whether California's Three Strikes law is just or not. Right now, a high-quality defense is needed to protect alleged offenders from lifelong impacts. We're ready for your case. Call now to start building your defense.

Staunch Protection Against Violent Crime Charges – Call Our Attorneys Today

You need help when you're fighting against violent crimes allegations. The laws are complicated. The Compton, CA, prosecutor is powerful. And the sentences are heavy. If you don't have an expert violent crimes lawyer to defend you, your liberty 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 the first one offered. We battle the state. We listen to your story, craft a resolute defense, and defend your freedom from day one until the case is over.

Reach out to us now to begin building your defense. Connect with us at (800) 755-5174 or tell us about your case via our online contact form to speak with an attorney about how to defend you.

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

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