Violent Crimes Lawyer Fullerton, CA. Violent crime allegations are dangerous, whether they are felonies or misdemeanors. They risk harming your reputation, hurting your career, and possibly worst yet, a trip to jail or prison. But all hope is not lost. And when you hire 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 experienced Fullerton, CA, violent crimes defense lawyers will look into your case, be honest with our recommendations, and find defense tactics that can be used for your case. We know that every case is unique and treat every client with respect. If you're ready to craft your defense, call (800) 755-5174 or fill out our contact form now for a no-obligation, private consultation.
The Law Offices of David S. Chesley's Process to Defend You Against Violent Crimes Accusations
Our team of Fullerton, CA, criminal defense lawyers are aware of how complex violent crimes allegations are, and we give each of our clients' cases a tailored defense. It all starts with the following steps:
- Learn Your Story – When we build a defense, it all starts with you. You can be honest with us about everything, and we'll start with your perspective.
- Research the Law and Your Case – We'll research the charges and Fullerton, CA, violent crime law specifics, to see if there are any special circumstances which apply to you.
- Build a Defense Strategy – We'll recommend a defensive strategy such as defense, consent, or procedural error.
- Plea Bargain With the State – When speaking with the prosecutors, we will stand strong and demand the justice you deserve.
- 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 Fullerton, CA, Violent Crime Charges 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." A lot of 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 are usually a misdemeanor, however 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: Assault 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."
You might be asking yourself now, "What's the difference between assault and battery?" Battery occurs when harm is actually done, instead of simply being attempted. You'll find that in many cases, if you're accused of battery in Fullerton, CA, you'll also be accused of assault. Meanwhile, criminal threats charges can occur completely over the phone, text, or verbally in person. They don't have to involve literal violence at all. You can be found guilty even if you didn't have the ability to carry out the threats.
We also commonly defend reckless endangerment charges in Fullerton, CA. This can include reckless driving, child endangerment, and similar charges. Due to the difference in individual statutes, you need to have a violent crimes lawyer who knows how to defend each of the charges.
Our violent crimes defense lawyers can also help you with the following charges in Fullerton, CA,:
- False Imprisonment: This is defined as an incident 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 grim reasons 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 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: 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 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 Fullerton, CA, it comes with many constraints. 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 it could also be related to having a concealed firearm when you don't have a permit or a felon possessing ammunition.
While all Fullerton, CA, gun charges are perilous, the way the firearm was (and wasn't) allegedly used can make a big difference. Brandishing a weapon is when one person shows another a gun (or other weapon) to intimidate them, not necessarily firing it. This is often prosecuted as a misdemeanor instead of a felony.
On the contrary, discharging a firearm can greatly increase the punishment you're facing. Particularly in 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 Fullerton, 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
Violent crime charges are bad enough on their own. Domestic accusations, though, are especially hard to fight. Domestic violence isn't just battery on your spouse; it includes injuries of all kinds, 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 involves the direct, intentional cause of harm to a child, meanwhile child endangerment includes either negligently or purposefully putting a child in danger. These charges can be filed together, raising 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, should your child be the accused, juvenile crime charges.
Sentencing Enhancement Defense Lawyers
The majority of Fullerton, CA, violent crime cases are rooted in some alleged act of violence. That said, you could also need to fight increased charges and/or sentencing enhancement if your case meets certain criteria.
One way we frequently see penalties increased is through 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 dangerous because you can face penalties without having personally done something actively wrong. You can 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.
You could also see increased penalties if you're being charged with a hate crime. Sometimes, a hate crime accusation is its own charge. However, they are frequently used as enhancements to other charges. The prosecution in Fullerton, CA is likely to apply a hate crime label if they think that the alleged offender committed the crime as an attack against a specific protected group.
Additionally, our Fullerton, CA, violent crimes attorneys can help guard you against California's three strikes law. For alleged repeat offenders, this law can become a tremendous hurdle. Previous felony convictions may count as "strikes" against you. 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. When convicted and given a third strike, you are facing 25-years-to-life in prison, with further restrictions on early release.
Procedural and Governance Charges Defense Lawyers
If the alleged violent crime was committed against a law enforcement officer in Fullerton, CA, the allegations can be even more severe. 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 closely related category of charges, though this can penalize you for any way you prevent an officer from doing their job, regardless of if they were trying to arrest you.
In most cases, if you're accused of a violent crime in Fullerton, CA, you'll be in municipal court against a local prosecuting attorney. On some occasions, when the accusations are especially severe, 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 proud to be your defense attorney for 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 protect you in Fullerton, CA, it's important to hire a firm with the below 3 qualities:
- Prior Success: You want a lawyer who knows how to fight your specific charge. Our team has a history of successful violent crime defense results.
- Expansive Legal Experience: The Law Offices of David S. Chesley, Inc., has over 50 years of combined legal experience, including time as prosecutors, judges, and police officers. We have experience in the ways the state builds its case against you, and how to poke holes in it.
- Relationships in Your Area's Court: We handle court cases all over California, including in Fullerton, CA. We have relationships with local prosecutors and judges, and will lean on them to secure a favorable outcome.
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.
Staunch Defenses Against Violent Crime Charges – Call Us Today
Don't try to face violent crimes accusations alone. The court system is complicated. The Fullerton, CA, district attorney is intimidating. And the punishments are severe. Without an expert violent crimes lawyer to defend you, your innocence and constitutional rights are in danger.
At the Law Offices of David S. Chesley, Inc., we don't take a passive approach to your defense. We don't accept a poor plea deal, just because it was easier to get. We fight. We make a defense with you at the center, and defend your rights from day one until the case is done.
Reach out to us now to start putting together your defense. Call (800) 755-5174 or fill out our online contact form to speak with an attorney about how to protect your rights.
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