Violent Crimes Lawyer Huntington Beach, CA. We know how overwhelming it can be to be facing violent crime accusations. They risk torpedoing your reputation, devastating your career, and perhaps worst of all, a long time in jail or prison. But accusations are not the same as convictions. And when you work with the Law Offices of David S. Chesley, Inc., you're getting expert legal representation to protect you from these devestating consequences. We defend all of the following violent crime categories (and more):
- Assault, Threats, and Interpersonal Harm
- Firearm Mishandling
- Family and Animal Abuse
- Sentencing Enhancements
- Procedural and Governance Charges
Our experienced Huntington Beach, CA, violent crimes defense lawyers will investigate your case, be honest with our recommendations, and develop defense strategies that should be effective for your circumstances. You deserve a defense tailored to you, and we can provide that. If you're ready to create your defense, call (800) 755-5174 or tell us about your case online now for a no-obligation, private consultation to discuss your case.
How the Law Offices of David S. Chesley's Lawyers Defend You Against Violent Crimes Accusations
Our team of Huntington Beach, 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. Here's how we'll do that for your case:
- Learn 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 Law and Your Case – We'll research the charges and Huntington Beach, CA, violent crime law specificsIf there are any quirks that are applicable to your case, we'll find them.
- Build a Defense Strategy – We'll recommend a defensive strategy such as defense, mistaken identity, or false allegations.
- Plea Bargain With the State – When speaking with the prosecutors, we will stand strong and demand the justice you deserve.
- Fight At Trial – If there is a trial, we'll stick with you from start to finish, fighting for a positive outcome.
Major Huntington Beach, CA, Violent Crime Accusations 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 someone else." A lot of people are unaware that to be charged with assault, there only has to be an attempt at causing harm, even if you don't 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: Attempts to harm while using a non-firearm weapon. These variations aren't literally written into California law, but instead are used to describe specific types of "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 only being attempted. You'll find that in many cases, if you're accused of battery in Huntington Beach, CA, you'll also be accused of assault. On the flip side, 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 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 Huntington Beach, CA. This can include reckless driving, child endangerment, and similar charges. As a result of the variation in each of the laws, it's paramount to work with 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 Huntington Beach, CA,:
- False Imprisonment: This is defined as an incident when one person confines another to a space against their will, and while it might seem like a stretch, it could be as little as grabbing someone's arm (if they are attempting to leave).
- 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 heinous 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 are another form of criminal threats – watch out for linked hate crime accusations in these cases.
- Torture: Torture goes beyond battery and includes serious injuries, done to make the alleged victim suffer.
- Mayhem: Mayhem is like a more advanced version of battery, though in this case, a permanent disfigurement or disability must have been caused.
- Arson: Arson charges allege that you intentionally lit something on fire that you weren't allowed to.
- 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
While most people do still have the right to own a firearm in Huntington Beach, CA, it comes with many constraints. California firearm offenses cover a large swath of statutes, and you don't even have to fire the gun to get in trouble. You can be arrested simply for unlawful possession.
Frequently, 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 any Huntington Beach, CA, firearm charges are serious, 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 other hand, discharging a firearm will frequently get you harsher sentences. 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.
An excellent Huntington Beach, 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 isn't just battery on your spouse; it includes any actual harm caused, threats of abuse, and even just making someone think that they could be injured. And for it to qualify as 'domestic,' the alleged victim can be anyone from your spouse to your child to your roommate.
Crimes against children also have their own specific legal categories. Child abuse involves the direct, intentional cause of harm to a child, while child endangerment consists of putting a child at risk of harm, either intentionally or unintentionally. These charges can be filed together, heightening 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 Huntington Beach, CA, prosecutor alleges that you committed an action that broke the law. That said, you might also need to fight elevated charges and/or sentencing enhancement should your case fall into certain categories.
One of the most common examples is gang enhancements. When an alleged offender has a past history of supposed gang activity, and this new charge was in some way related to a gang, 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 another person to break the law, and either one of you takes action towards committing that crime.
Another way you can see your sentence raised is if you're accused of a hate crime. While hate crimes can be standalone offenses, they are frequently used as enhancements to other crimes. The prosecutor in Huntington Beach, CA may charge another crime as a hate crime if they believe that the alleged offender's motivation was related to race, religion, sexuality, or another protected characteristic.
Finally, our Huntington Beach, CA, violent crimes attorneys can help protect you from 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, sentences for felony convictions are doubled, and you won't be eligible for parole until you've served 80% of the sentence. With two prior strikes, the penalty could be 25-years-to-life in prison, with further restrictions on early release.
Procedural and Governance Charges Defense Lawyers
When you get into an altercation with the police in Huntington Beach, CA, you can expect to face extra harsh violent crime charges. Assault on a police officer can result in more prison time than if the assault was against a non-officer, while resisting arrest can range from physical attacks to simply being uncooperative. Obstructing a police officer is a closely related set of charges, though this can broadly apply to anything done to get in their way, whether or not they were trying to arrest you.
In most cases, if you're accused of a violent crime in Huntington Beach, CA, you'll be in municipal court against a local prosecuting attorney. But for more serious cases, a federal prosecutor will take charge. 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 prepared to represent 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 protect you in Huntington Beach, CA, 'good enough' isn't good enough. You want a legal team with the below 3 qualities:
- A History of 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: Our team has over 50 years of combined legal experience, including time as prosecutors, judges, and police officers. We know how the state prosecutes these cases, and how to fight against them.
- Relationships in Your Area's Court: Our team of attorneys cover cases across the state, including in Huntington Beach, CA. We have relationships 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 those qualities.
Ferocious Defenses Against Violent Crime Charges – Call Us Right Away
You need help when you're fighting against violent crimes allegations. The statutes are complex. The Huntington Beach, CA, prosecutor is powerful. And the punishments are heavy. Without an expert violent crimes lawyer at your side, your freedom and constitutional rights are in danger.
At the Law Offices of David S. Chesley, Inc., we don't wait and watch the prosecution make its case against you. We don't accept a poor plea deal, just because it was faster. We confront the charges. We make a defense with you at the center, and fight for your rights from day one until the case is done.
Reach out to us now to start building your defense. Call (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 fight these charges.
We also offer the following legal services in Huntington Beach, CA:
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