Violent Crimes Lawyer Lake Elsinore, CA. Fighting violent crimes charges is critical to your future. They risk wrecking your reputation, setting back your career, and perhaps worst of all, a long time in jail or prison. But you can fight to protect yourself. And when you work with the Law Offices of David S. Chesley, Inc., you have someone protecting you from these 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 skillful Lake Elsinore, CA, violent crimes defense lawyers will investigate your case, be honest with our recommendations, and look for defense strategies that should be effective for your situation. We view your case, and you as a person, as unique and deserving of individual attention. If you're ready to build your defense, speak with one of our representatives (800) 755-5174 or send us a note online now for a no-obligation, private consultation to discuss your case.
The Law Offices of David S. Chesley's Process to Defend You Against Violent Crimes Charges
Our team of Lake Elsinore, CA, criminal defense lawyers are aware of how complex violent crimes allegations are, and we give each of our clients' cases a tailored defense. Here's how we'll do that for your case:
- 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 Statutes and Your Case – We'll research the specifics of the charges and Lake Elsinore, CA, violent crime law specificsIf there are any quirks that are applicable to your case, we'll find them.
- Craft 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 – Should your case go to trial, we'll stick with you from start to finish, fighting for a positive outcome.
Major Lake Elsinore, CA, Violent Crime Charges We Defend
Assault, Threats, and Interpersonal Harm Defense Lawyers
Assault is perhaps the most prototypical violent crime charge people thing of. 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 realize that to be charged with assault, one only has to attempt to cause harm, even if you don't actually cause harm.
While simple assault charges are harsh in and of themselves, you could also potentially face a severe variation on the charges. 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: Assault 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
You might be asking yourself now, "What's the difference between assault and battery?" Battery is a step past assault, and allegations include actual harm being caused, instead of only being attempted. In Lake Elsinore, CA, it's common to be charged with both at the same time after an altercation. 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.
Another important set of charges we commonly defend against in this category is reckless endangerment charges. This can include reckless driving, child endangerment, and similar charges. Due to the variation 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 Lake Elsinore, 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 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 grim purposes such as forced labor or sex.
- Stalking: To be guilty of stalking in California, you have to both follow a person without their consent, and make a believable threat.
- Terrorist Threats: Terrorist threats are another form of criminal threats – 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: 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 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 Lake Elsinore, CA, it comes with many constraints. California firearm offenses can result from any number of statute violations, and you don't even have to fire the gun to get in trouble. You can be arrested simply for unlawful possession.
Frequently, possession charges are related to a felon in possession of a firearm, but it could also be related to possessing a concealed firearm without a permit or a felon possessing ammunition.
While all Lake Elsinore, CA, gun charges are major, a major differentiator is whether you allegedly used the weapon or not. 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 will almost always be a more serious charge. Especially 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 Lake Elsinore, CA, violent crimes defense attorney will fight no just to keep you out of prison, but also to prevent 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 harm, and even just making someone think that they could be injured. 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.
If the alleged victim was a child, that can also affect which charges are filed. Child abuse is reserved for deliberate acts of violence against children (like hitting them), meanwhile child endangerment consists of putting a child at risk of harm, either intentionally or unintentionally. These charges can be filed together, increasing their seriousness.
Our household violent crimes defense lawyers aren't limited to just conflicts between family members who live together. We also defend against animal cruelty charges, elder abuse charges, and, in cases with youth defendants, juvenile crime charges.
Sentencing Enhancement Defense Lawyers
If you're facing violent crime charges in Lake Elsinore, CA, there's a good chance that they're one of the ones above. But you could also need to fight increased charges and/or sentencing enhancement for special circumstances.
In many cases, the punishments can be heightened via gang enhancements. If a different crime was committed as a part of gang activities, the sentence you face can be increased by several years. 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 somebody else to break the law, 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. While hate crimes can be standalone offenses, it's common for them to be used as enhancements to other charges. The district attorney in Lake Elsinore, 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.
Finally, our Lake Elsinore, 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 sentence could be increased to 25-years-to-life in prison, with further restraints on parole.
Procedural and Governance Charges Defense Lawyers
When you get into an altercation with the police in Lake Elsinore, 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 carries similarly harsher sentences for a wide array of alleged misconduct. Obstructing a police officer is a closely related category of charges, though this aren't contingent on you being arrested, and apply more broadly to anything you do to prevent a police officer from doing they job.
In most cases, if you're accused of a violent crime in Lake Elsinore, CA, you'll be in municipal court against a local prosecuting attorney. But when the state views a case as extra severe, a federal prosecutor may fight against you. 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 defend you against federal crimes as well as 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 an attorney to defend your rights in Lake Elsinore, CA, you want a legal team 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 case results.
- Diverse Legal Experience: We have over 50 years of combined courtroom 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.
- Relationships in Your Area's Court: Our team of attorneys cover cases across the state, including in Lake Elsinore, 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 Protection Against Violent Crime Charges – Call Our Lawyers Today
Violent crimes charges are tough to fight on your own. The laws are complex. The Lake Elsinore, CA, prosecutor is frightening. And the sentences are brutal. If you don't have an expert violent crimes lawyer to defend you, 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 settle for a bad plea deal, just because it was the first one offered. 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.
Reach out to us now to start building 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 an attorney about how to defend you.
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