Violent Crimes Lawyer Hemet, CA

Violent Crimes Lawyer Hemet, CA. Any criminal accusations are serious, but few are as serious as violent crimes. They risk harming your reputation, hurting your career, and perhaps worst yet, a lengthy prison sentence. But all hope is not lost. And when you call the Law Offices of David S. Chesley, Inc., you get a shield that will guard 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 Hemet, CA, violent crimes defense lawyers will examine your case, tell you the truth about your situation, and come up with defense tactics that will be effective for your circumstances. You deserve a defense tailored to you, and we can provide that. If you're ready to build your defense, call (800) 755-5174 or reach out online today for a no-obligation, confidential consultation to discuss your case.

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

Our team of Hemet, CA, criminal defense lawyers know how different each violent crimes accusation can be, and we give each of our clients' cases a tailored defense. It all starts with the following steps:

• Learn About Your Story – We believe that you should be at the center of your defense. We want to hear from you what really happened and why.
• Research the Statutes and Your Case – We'll investigate the charges and Hemet, CA, violent crime law specifics, to ensure that we're well prepared to build a strong defensive strategy.
• Craft a Defense Strategy – We'll recommend a defensive strategy such as self-defense, mistaken identity, or false allegations.
• Plea Bargain With the State – For many cases, the easiest way to a positive outcome is through a plea deal. When we negotiate plea deals with the state, we don't give up and fight to get something favorable.
• Fight At Trial – If your case reaches trial, we'll stick with you from start to finish, fighting for a positive outcome.

Understanding Violent Crimes in California: Felony vs. Misdemeanor Charges

In California, "violent crimes" is wide category, including everything from domestic violence to drive-by shootings to firearm offenses. When you've been accused of a violent crime in Hemet, CA, the state needs to prove components like intent and harm beyond a reasonable doubt. After an investigation, if the state believes it has enough evidence against you, they will make formal charges against you. 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. Victim testimony plays a key role, but cross-examination can reveal inconsistencies or false accusations.

If you're curious about violent crime distinctions, assault and battery are two separate offenses in Califoria, with different definitions: Assault (Penal Code 240) does not require any actual harm done (just an attempt or threat), meanwhile battery (Penal Code 242) requires actual physical contact. Each of these can be misdemeanors or felonies; it's up to the prosecution to decide what to charge. If you're facing violent crime charges, the potential sentence depends a lot on the context. Probation is more likely if you don't have any prior convictions on your record, but particularly aggressive circumstances could wind up with felony charges. At the Law Offices of David S. Chesley, we will fight for your freedom and protect your rights, mounting a tenacious defense against all charges.

Major Hemet, 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 someone else." A lot of people aren't aware that to be charged with assault, one only has to attempt to cause harm, regardless of whether or not you actually cause harm.

While simple assault charges are harsh in and of themselves, the line can be fuzzy between simple assault and some of it's more serious versions. Aggravated assault is just that: assault with intent to cause serious bodily injury. Another similar one is assault with a deadly weapon: Committing assault while using a weapon other than a gun. These variations don't actually have statutes of their own, and instead are nicknames used to describe specific assault cases

Now that we've covered assault, let's discuss battery. Battery is a step past assault, and allegations include actual harm being caused, rather than just being attempted. After a fight, Hemet, CA prosecutors are often prone to issue both assault and battery charges to defendants. On the flip side, criminal threats charges don't even require an attempt at violence, just an attempt to intimidate someone. Regardless of whether you wanted to (or even could) follow through on the threats, you can be found guilty.

Reckless endangerment charges are another set of charges that are typical in Hemet, CA. This can include reckless driving, child endangerment, and other charges along those lines. As a result of the difference in specific laws, you need to hire a violent crimes lawyer who can protect you from any of the possible charges.

The Law Offices of David S. Chesley, Inc., also defends against the below violent crimes charges in Hemet, CA,:

• False Imprisonment: False imprisonment occcurs when an individual detaining another without just cause, for example, locking another person in a room.
• Kidnapping: Kidnapping is different from false imprisonment because it involves forcibly moving a person from one location to another.
• Human Trafficking: Human Trafficking is similar to kidnapping or false imprisonment, but is done for specific, extra grim 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: 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 used for particularly grisly allegations of harm, wherein the action was performed for a sadistic purpose.
• Mayhem: If a fight resulted in the permanent scarring of another person, the aggressor can be charged with mayhem.
• 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 Hemet, 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, unlawful possession 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 Hemet, CA, firearm charges are significant, the way the firearm was (and wasn't) allegedly used can make a big difference. Brandishing a weapon does not typically involve firing the gun, but instead using it to make a threat. Most of the time this is charged as a misdemeanor.

On the contrary, discharging a firearm will almost always be a more serious charge. Especially in allegations such as a drive-by shooting or shooting at an inhabited dwelling, the penalties are very harsh.

An expert Hemet, 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. Domestic accusations, though, are especially hard to fight. Domestic violence isn't just 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. 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.

Crimes against children also have their own specific legal categories. Child abuse is reserved for deliberate acts of violence against children (like hitting them), while child endangerment includes either negligently or purposefully putting a child in danger. 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 also defend against 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 Hemet, CA, prosecutor alleges that you committed an action that broke the law. However, 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 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 another person to break the law, and either one of you does something overt to advance the plan.

You could also see increased penalties if you're being charged with a hate crime. Hate crime charges can be their own case, but, you can also see them used as enhancements to other charges. The prosecution in Hemet, CA is likely to apply a hate crime label if they believe that the alleged offender committed the crime as an attack against a specific protected group.

Furthermore, our Hemet, CA, violent crimes attorneys can help defend 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, sentences for felony convictions are doubled, and you will have a harder time securing early release. With two prior strikes, you are facing 25-years-to-life in prison, with additional contstraints on parole.

Procedural and Governance Charges Defense Lawyers

When you get into an altercation with the police in Hemet, CA, you can expect to face extra harsh violent crime charges. Assault on a police officer carries harsher penalties than simple assault, while resisting arrest carries similarly harsher sentences for a wide array of alleged misconduct. Obstructing a police officer is a similar set of charges, though these ones can penalize you for any way you prevent an officer from doing their job, regardless of if they were trying to arrest you.

For the majority of violent crime charges, you'll be up against the local Hemet, CA prosecution. On some occasions, when the accusations are especially severe, 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 be your defense attorney for federal crimes in addition to state charges.

Additional Miscellaneous Violent Crime Defense Services We Offer

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

You need a robbery defense lawyer if you're up against charges like robbery or home invasion. These can carry penalties up to 9 years or 20 years, respectively. The use of a weapon is often an enhancing factor for sentencing..

Because of the importance of witness testimony, it's important to work with a leading violent crimes defense lawyer to build your defense. We can present your side of the story, challenge the prosecution's witnesses, and show an alternative interpretation of the events. If you're on parole or have any convictions on your record, you could face sentencing enhancements if convicted. Restraining orders may follow if violence is alleged, impacting your life long-term.

Top 3 Violent Crimes Defense Lawyer Qualities

Violent crimes charges require top-tier defense attorneys. When you're picking a lawyer to protect you in Hemet, CA, you want a firm with the below 3 qualities:

1. Prior Success: You want a lawyer who knows how to fight your specific charge. Our team has a history of successful violent crime case results.
2. Relationships in Your Area's Court: We're ready for your case in Hemet, CA. We have relationships 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 someone with all those characteristics.

Defending Against California's Three Strikes Law in Hemet

California's Three Strikes Law (Penal Code 667) can turn a seemingly straightforward case in Hemet, CA, into something much more serious. Enacted in 1994, it mandates 25 years to life for a third "strike" felony if priors include serious or violent crimes. Even non-violent third strikes once triggered life sentences until Proposition 36 reformed it in 2012, allowing resentencing for some.

As a violent crime defense attorney, I dedicate extensive resources to Three Strikes cases. 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 Under Three Strikes:

• Challenging Prior Strikes: Romero motions protect you by asking a judge to ignore a prior strike that is not fair to use against you. Judges take into account the circumstances of the older cases, as well as the character of the alleged offender.
• Motion for Resentencing: Due to updated laws, people with prior Three Strikes convictions can petition to have their sentence reduced. 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. Lack of intent defenses prevent strike enhancements.
• 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. False accusations in priors can be exposed via new evidence.
• Impact on Parole and Your Future: Strikes delay parole eligibility. We advocate for early release or expungement where possible.

A Hemet, 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.

Minorities and low-income individuals are frequently affected by California's Three Strikes law in Hemet, CA. Reforms continue, but without aggressive defense, clients face lifelong consequences. Don't give up; these cases are winnable. Contact our team today if you need help.

Ferocious Defenses Against Violent Crime Charges – Call Our Legal Team Right Away

Don't try to face violent crimes accusations alone. The laws are complicated. The Hemet, CA, prosecutor is strong. And the sentences are tough. If you're lacking an expert violent crimes lawyer at your side, your innocence 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 easier to get. We confront the charges. We start every case by listening to our client, and fight for your freedom from day one until the case is over.

Contact us now to begin putting together your defense. Connect with us at (800) 755-5174 or let us know how we can help you on our online contact form to speak with amember of our legal team about how to defend you.

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

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