Violent Crimes Lawyer Irvine, CA. Fighting violent crimes charges is critical to your future. They risk wrecking your reputation, ruining your career, and worst of all, a trip to jail or prison. But all hope is not lost. And with the Law Offices of David S. Chesley, Inc., you have someone protecting you from these devestating 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 Irvine, CA, violent crimes defense lawyers will look into your case, give you upfront, straightforward answers, and look for defense strategies that will be effective for your charges. We view your case, and you as a person, as unique and deserving of individual attention. If you need to craft your defense, phone us at (800) 755-5174 or send us a note online today for a free, private consultation to discuss your case.
How the Law Offices of David S. Chesley's Lawyers Defend You Against Violent Crimes Allegations
Our team of Irvine, CA, criminal defense lawyers know that every violent crime case is unique, and we give each of our clients' cases a tailored defense. This is how we do it:
- Listen to Your Story – Every case starts with our client. We want to hear your side of the story.
- Research the Law and Your Case – We'll look into the charges and Irvine, CA, violent crime law specificsIf there are any quirks that are applicable to your case, we'll find them.
- Put Together a Defense Strategy – Our lawyers will recommend a defensive strategy such as defense, consent, 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 there is a trial, we'll stick with you from start to finish, fighting for a positive outcome.
Major Irvine, 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. In fact, the literal definition describes it as attempting "a violent injury on the person of another." Most people don't realize that to be guilty of 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 types of charges stem from attempts to cause serious harm, rather than just harm in general. Another similar one is assault with a deadly weapon: Committing assault 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
As discussed above, assault only requires an attempt to cause harm. Battery is similar to assault because both involve attempted harm. However, in battery's case, the harm was successful, rather than just being attempted. In Irvine, CA, it's common to be charged with both at the same time after an altercation. On the other hand, 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.
Reckless endangerment charges are another set of charges that are typical in Irvine, CA. This can include reckless driving, child endangerment, and similar charges. Because of the difference in individual laws, you need to find a violent crimes lawyer who knows not only how to defend against individual charges, but also the combinations of them.
Here are some other related violent crimes charges our attorneys defend in Irvine, CA,:
- False Imprisonment: This occurs when an individual detaining another without just cause, and could be as simple as you allegedly blocking a doorway.
- Kidnapping: Kidnapping consists of taking a person from one location to another against their will.
- Human Trafficking: Human Trafficking is similar to kidnapping or false imprisonment, but 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: Terrorist threats aren't their own statute, but are an unofficial term for certain criminal threats charges – watch out for linked hate crime accusations in these cases.
- Torture: Torture is used for particularly grisly allegations of harm, wherein the action was performed for a sadistic purpose.
- 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: Whether or not you burned something on purpose is the key difference between arson charges and reckless burning.
- Rioting: Rioting involves multiple people acting together to cause and/or threaten violence while disturbing the peace.
Firearm Mishandling Defense Lawyers
The right to bear arms comes with many restrictions and responsibilities in Irvine, CA. 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 possessing a concealed firearm when you don't have a permit or a felon possessing ammunition.
While any Irvine, CA, gun 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. Most of the time this is charged as a misdemeanor.
On the contrary, discharging a firearm will almost always be a more serious charge. 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 excellent Irvine, 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. However, the stigma and penalties are even worse when spouses, children, or other family members are affected. Domestic violence isn't just battery on your spouse; it includes injuries of all kinds, threats of harm, and even just placing someone in fear of harm. 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.
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, while child endangerment could be any action that endangers a child, regardless of whether you meant to or not. These charges can be filed together, amplifying their seriousness.
Our household 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
If you're facing violent crime charges in Irvine, CA, there's a good chance that they're one of the ones above. But you could also be up against increased charges and/or sentencing enhancement if certain circumstances apply.
In many cases, the punishments can be heightened via 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, the sentence you face can be increased by several years. Conspiracy charges are closely related. You could be convicted of conspiracy if you agree with someone else to break the law, and either one of you takes action towards committing that crime.
Another common sentence enhancement is when an alleged action is charged as a hate crime. Hate crime charges can be their own case, but, they are often used as enhancements to other charges. The prosecution in Irvine, CA may charge another crime as a hate crime if they believe that the alleged offender committed the crime as an attack against a specific protected group.
Finally, our Irvine, CA, violent crimes attorneys can help defend you against California's three strikes law. Under it, certain serious felonies are classified as "strikes" in your criminal history. 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 penalty could be 25-years-to-life in prison, with additional restraints on parole.
Procedural and Governance Charges Defense Lawyers
Irvine, CA, violent crime charges can be particularly damaging if they were allegedly committed against law enforcement. Assault on a police officer carries harsher penalties than simple assault, while resisting arrest covers actions ranging from stealing a police officers gun to just acting disobediently. Obstructing a police officer is a similar 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 Irvine, CA, you'll be in municipal court against a local prosecuting attorney. But for more serious cases, a federal prosecutor may take over. When you're up against the federal government, you need a powerful legal team on your side. The Law Offices of David S. Chesley, Inc., is equipped to be your defense attorney for federal crimes in addition to state charges.
Top 3 Violent Crimes Defense Lawyer Qualities
Violent crimes charges require top-tier defense attorneys. When you're picking a lawyer to fight your case in Irvine, CA, 'good enough' isn't good enough. You want someone 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 has a history of successful violent crime defense results.
- Varied 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 tries to get violent crimes convictions, and how to fight for a positive outcome.
- Local Relationships: We handle court cases all over California, including in Irvine, CA. We know 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 properties.
Ferocious Protection Against Violent Crime Charges – Call Our Lawyers Now
Violent crimes charges are tough to fight on your own. The court system is complicated. The Irvine, CA, district attorney is frightening. And the consequences are grim. If you're lacking 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 the first one offered. We confront the charges. We make a defense with you at the center, and fight for your freedom from when we first speak until the case is concluded.
Contact us now to start building your defense. Connect with us at (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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