Violent Crimes Lawyer Corona, CA. When you're up against violent crimes charges, it can feel like the whole world is against you. They risk harming your reputation, setting back your career, and perhaps worst of all, a long time in jail or prison. But all hope is not lost. And when you hire the Law Offices of David S. Chesley, Inc., you have someone protecting 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 Corona, CA, violent crimes defense lawyers will investigate your case, give you upfront, straightforward answers, and develop defense strategies that can be used for your case. 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 tell us about your case online 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 Corona, CA, criminal defense lawyers know how different each violent crimes accusation can be, and we give each of our clients' cases a tailored defense. This is how we do it:
- Learn About Your Story – Every case starts with our client. We want to hear from you what really happened and why.
- Research the Law and Your Case – We'll research the specifics of the charges and Corona, CA, violent crime law specifics, to ensure that we're well prepared to build a strong defensive strategy.
- Build a Defense Strategy – We'll recommend a defensive strategy such as defense, lack of intent, or false allegations.
- 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 – Should your case go to trial, we'll present our matchless defense in court and show the judge and/or jury your side of the story.
Major Corona, CA, Violent Crime Allegations 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 the person of another." Many people don't know that to be charged with assault, one only has to attempt to cause harm, not necessarily actually cause harm.
Simple assault charges can already get you months in prison and a $1,000 fine, but the line can be fuzzy between simple assault and some of it's more serious versions. 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: Committing assault while using a non-firearm weapon. These variations aren't official charges, but rather subcategories for more serious assault charges
You might be asking yourself now, "What's the difference between assault and battery?" Battery occurs when harm is actually done, rather than just being attempted. In Corona, CA, it's common to be charged with both at the same time after an altercation. On the flip side, criminal threats charges don't even require an attempt at violence, just an attempt to intimidate someone. You don't even have to be willing to follow through; "I didn't mean it" isn't a valid defense for these charges.
Another important set of charges we commonly defend against in this category is reckless endangerment charges. This can include reckless driving, child endangerment, and other charges along those lines. Due to the difference in specific laws, you need to hire a violent crimes lawyer who knows not only how to defend against individual charges, but also the combinations of them.
Our attorneys also can defend you against the below violent crimes charges in Corona, 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: 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 purposes such as forced labor or sex.
- Stalking: California stalking law requires more than just following another person who doesn't like it – it also requires that the accused make a 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 goes beyond battery and includes serious injuries, done to make the alleged victim suffer.
- 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
Due to state law, you're not able to just do whatever you please with a gun in Corona, CA. California firearm offenses can result from any number of statute violations, and you don't even have to fire the gun to get in trouble. You can be arrested simply for unlawful possession.
Most commonly, these charges are related to a felon in possession of a firearm, but you could also face them for possessing a concealed firearm when you don't have a permit or a felon possessing ammunition.
While any Corona, CA, firearm charges are perilous, the way the firearm was (and wasn't) allegedly used can make a big difference. 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 can greatly increase the punishment you're facing. Particularly for allegations 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 Corona, 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
The stakes are high for all kinds of violent crime allegations. 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 injuries of all kinds, threats of abuse, and even just making someone think that they could be injured. 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 is reserved for deliberate acts of violence against children (like hitting them), meanwhile child endangerment includes either negligently or purposefully putting a child in danger. These charges are often filed together, raising their gravity.
Our experienced 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
Some violent crime accusations are just that – the Corona, CA, prosecutor alleges that you committed an action that broke the law. That said, you might also face heightened charges and/or sentencing enhancement if your case meets certain criteria.
One of the most common examples is 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 could be found guilty of conspiracy if you collaborate with someone else 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 prosecution in Corona, CA may charge another crime as a hate crime if they think that the alleged offender's motivation was related to race, religion, sexuality, or another protected characteristic.
Furthermore, our Corona, CA, violent crimes attorneys can help defend you against California's three strikes law. This law allows the government to keep track of your criminal history and assign "strikes" to certain felony convictions. 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. If a conviction would be your third strike, the sentence could be increased to 25-years-to-life in prison, with further restrictions on parole.
Procedural and Governance Charges Defense Lawyers
If the alleged violent crime was committed against a law enforcement officer in Corona, CA, the allegations can be even more severe. Assault on a police officer carries harsher penalties than simple assault, while resisting arrest can range from physical attacks to simply being uncooperative. Obstructing a police officer is a closely related category 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 Corona, CA prosecution. 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 ready to defend you against federal crimes in addition to state charges.
Top 3 Violent Crimes Defense Lawyer Qualities
Violent crimes charges need high-quality defense lawyers. When you're picking an attorney to protect you in Corona, CA, you want a firm 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.
- Expansive Legal Experience: We have over 50 years of combined courtroom 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 Corona, CA. We are familiar with local prosecutors and judges, and will lean on them to secure a favorable outcome.
With a legal team with these qualifications defending you from violent crimes allegations, you'll get the best chance of a positive outcome. And with the Law Offices of David S. Chesley, Inc., you'll get someone with all those properties.
Ferocious Defenses Against Violent Crime Charges – Call Our Lawyers Right Away
You need help when you're fighting against violent crimes allegations. The legal system is complicated. The Corona, CA, district attorney is formidable. And the penalties are grim. If you're lacking an expert violent crimes lawyer to defend you, 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 the first one offered. We fight. 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 begin putting together your defense. Call (800) 755-5174 or tell us about your case via our online contact form to speak with a lawyer about how to defend you.
We also offer the following legal services in Corona, CA:
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