Violent Crimes Lawyer Fontana, CA. When you're up against violent crimes charges, it can feel like the whole world is against you. They risk harming your reputation, hurting your career, and worst yet, a trip to jail or prison. But you have a chance at a more positive outcome. And when you call 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 expert Fontana, CA, violent crimes defense lawyers will look into your case, be honest with our recommendations, and look for defensive tactics that will be effective for your circumstances. You deserve a defense tailored to you, and we can provide that. If you need to craft your defense, call (800) 755-5174 or fill out our contact form today for a no-obligation, private consultation.
How the Law Offices of David S. Chesley's Lawyers Defend You Against Violent Crimes Charges
Our team of Fontana, 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:
- Listen to Your Story – When we build a defense, it all starts with you. We want to hear from you what really happened and why.
- Research the Law and Your Case – We'll investigate the charges and Fontana, CA, violent crime law specificsIf there are any quirks that are applicable to your case, we'll find them.
- Put Together a Defense Strategy – We'll recommend a defensive strategy such as defense of others, consent, 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 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 Fontana, CA, Violent Crime Charges We Defend
Assault, Threats, and Interpersonal Harm Defense Lawyers
Assault is one of the most commont types of violent crimes in California. 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 aren't aware that to be charged with assault, there only has to be an attempt at causing harm, even if you don't 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. Closely related is assault with a deadly weapon: Attempts to harm while using a non-firearm weapon. These variations are not actually given their own specific laws in California, but instead are lumped together under the broad umbrella of "assault laws."
Now that we've covered assault, let's discuss battery. Battery is similar to assault because both involve attempted harm. However, in battery's case, the harm was successful, instead of just being attempted. You'll find that in many cases, if you're accused of battery in Fontana, CA, you'll also be accused of assault. On the other hand, criminal threats charges can result even from a nonviolent altercation. All you have to do is 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.
We also commonly defend reckless endangerment charges in Fontana, CA. This can include reckless driving, child endangerment, and similar charges. As a result of the variation in each of the statutes, it's paramount to hire 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 Fontana, CA,:
- False Imprisonment: False imprisonment occcurs when one person wrongfully restrains or confines another, 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 like 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'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: If a fight resulted in the permanent scarring of another person, the aggressor can be charged with mayhem.
- Arson: Arson charges allege that you intentionally lit something on fire that you weren't allowed to.
- Rioting: Rioting involves multiple people acting together to cause and/or threaten violence while disturbing the peace.
Firearm Mishandling Defense Lawyers
While most people do still have the right to own a firearm in Fontana, CA, it comes with many constraints. California firearm offenses vary widely in nature and scope, sometimes even just being the result of unlawful possession.
Often, possession charges are related to a felon in possession of a firearm, but you could also face them for having a concealed firearm when you don't have a permit or a felon possessing ammunition.
While all Fontana, CA, firearm charges are major, 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. This is often prosecuted as a misdemeanor instead of a felony.
Meanwhile, discharging a firearm will frequently get you harsher sentences. Particularly for incidents 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 expert Fontana, 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. 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 any actual harm caused, threats of harm, 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 could be any action that endangers a child, regardless of whether you meant to or not. These charges can be filed together, expanding their seriousness.
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, if an adolescent or child is the alleged offender, juvenile crime charges.
Sentencing Enhancement Defense Lawyers
Some violent crime accusations are just that – the Fontana, CA, prosecutor alleges that you committed an action that broke the law. That said, you can also be up against increased charges and/or sentencing enhancement should your case fall into certain categories.
One of the most common examples is gang enhancements. If a crime was committed in the furtherance 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 can be convicted of conspiracy if you make a plan with somebody 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. While hate crimes can be standalone offenses, they are frequently used as enhancements to other charges. The district attorney in Fontana, 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.
Finally, our Fontana, 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, sentences for felony convictions are doubled, and you will have to wait significantly longer before earning eligibility for parole. With two prior strikes, the penalty could be 25-years-to-life in prison, with additional contstraints on parole.
Procedural and Governance Charges Defense Lawyers
Fontana, CA, violent crime charges can be particularly damaging if they were allegedly committed against law enforcement. 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 closely related category 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 Fontana, CA, local prosecutor. Sometimes, though, a federal prosecutor may fight against you. 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 defend you against federal crimes in addition to state charges.
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 picking a lawyer to fight your case in Fontana, CA, it's important to hire 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.
- Diverse Legal Experience: We have over 50 years of combined courtroom experience, including time as prosecutors, judges, and police officers. We have inside knowledge of the ways the state builds its case against you, and how to poke holes in it.
- Relationships in Your Area's Court: Our team of attorneys cover cases across the state, including in Fontana, CA. We know 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 characteristics.
Staunch Defenses Against Violent Crime Charges – Call Us Today
You need help when you're fighting against violent crimes allegations. The laws are complex. The Fontana, CA, prosecutor is frightening. And the sentences are heavy. If you're lacking 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 stand idly by and let the state build its case. We don't settle for a bad plea deal, just because it was faster. We confront the charges. We listen to your story, craft a resolute defense, and fight for your rights from the day you call until the case is over.
Contact 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 Fontana, CA:
Payment Plans
