Violent Crimes Lawyer Los Angeles, CA. Violent crime allegations are dangerous, whether they are felonies or misdemeanors. They risk destroying your reputation, devastating your career, and worst yet, a lengthy prison sentence. But accusations are not the same as convictions. And when you call the Law Offices of David S. Chesley, Inc., you're getting expert legal representation to protect you from these legal and personal 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 Los Angeles, CA, violent crimes defense lawyers will examine your case, give you upfront, straightforward answers, and find defense tactics that will be effective for your case. We view your case, and you as a person, as unique and deserving of individual attention. If you're ready to craft your defense, speak with one of our representatives (800) 755-5174 or send us a note online now for a free, confidential consultation.
The Law Offices of David S. Chesley's Process to Defend You Against Violent Crimes Allegations
Our team of Los Angeles, CA, criminal defense lawyers know that every violent crime case is unique, and we give each of our clients' cases a tailored defense. Here's how we'll do that for your case:
- Learn About 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 Statutes and Your Case – We'll investigate the charges and Los Angeles, CA, violent crime law specifics, to see if there are any special circumstances which apply to you.
- Build a Defense Strategy – Our lawyers will recommend a defensive strategy such as defense, consent, or false allegations.
- Negotiatiate With the State – Any time we communicate with the Los Angeles prosecution about your case, we will stand strong to find a deal that works for you.
- Fight At Trial – If there is a trial, we'll present our matchless defense in court and show the judge and/or jury your side of the story.
Major Los Angeles, 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. In fact, the literal definition describes it as attempting "a violent injury on someone else." Many people are unaware that to be charged with assault, there only has to be an attempt at causing harm, regardless of whether or not you actually cause harm.
Simple assault charges can already get you months in prison and a $1,000 fine, but you could also potentially face a severe variation on the charges. Aggravated assault is just that: assault with intent to cause serious bodily injury. Closely related is assault with a deadly weapon: Assault using a non-firearm weapon. These variations aren't official charges, but rather subcategories for more serious 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 simply being attempted. After a fight, Los Angeles, CA prosecutors are often prone to issue both assault and battery charges to defendants. On the other hand, criminal threats charges can result even from a nonviolent altercation. All you have to do is intimidate someone. 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 Los Angeles, CA. This can include reckless driving, child endangerment, and other charges along those lines. As a result of the difference in specific statutes, it's paramount to find a violent crimes lawyer who knows not only how to defend against individual charges, but also the combinations of them.
The Law Offices of David S. Chesley, Inc., also defends against the below violent crimes charges in Los Angeles, CA,:
- False Imprisonment: False imprisonment occcurs when one person wrongfully restrains or confines another, for example, locking another person in a room.
- Kidnapping: Whereas false imprisonment confines a person to one location, kidnapping involves moving that person to a new location.
- Human Trafficking: Human Trafficking is similar to kidnapping or false imprisonment, but is done for particular, extra bad 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
While most people do still have the right to own a firearm in Los Angeles, 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.
Commonly, unlawful possession charges are related to a felon in possession of a firearm, but you could also face them for having a concealed firearm when you don't have a permit or a felon possessing ammunition.
While all Los Angeles, CA, gun charges are significant, a major differentiator is whether you allegedly used the weapon or not. Brandishing a weapon does not typically involve firing the gun, but instead using it to make a threat. 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 for allegations such as a drive-by shooting or shooting at an inhabited dwelling, the penalties are very harsh.
An excellent Los Angeles, 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
No matter what kind of violent crime charge you're facing, it's tough to see a way out. Domestic accusations, though, are especially hard to fight. Domestic violence has a wider definition than battery on your spouse; it includes any actual harm caused, 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 is reserved for deliberate acts of violence against children (like hitting them), while child endangerment consists of putting a child at risk of harm, either intentionally or unintentionally. These charges are often filed together, intensifying their gravity.
Our expert violent crimes defense lawyers aren't limited to just conflicts between family members who live together. 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 Los Angeles, CA, prosecutor alleges that you committed an action that broke the law. But you can also be up against elevated 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, prison sentences can drastically increase, though exactly how much depends on the alleged crime. Conspiracy charges are dangerous because you can face penalties without having personally done something actively wrong. You could be found guilty of conspiracy if you agree with another person 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. Sometimes, a hate crime accusation is its own charge. However, they are frequently used as enhancements to other charges. The prosecutor in Los Angeles, CA is likely to apply a hate crime label if they think that the alleged offender's motivation was related to race, religion, sexuality, or another protected characteristic.
Additionally, our Los Angeles, CA, violent crimes attorneys can help defend you against 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 will have a harder time securing early release. With two prior strikes, the sentence could be increased to 25-years-to-life in prison, with further contstraints on early release.
Procedural and Governance Charges Defense Lawyers
Los Angeles, CA, violent crime charges can be particularly damaging if they were allegedly committed against law enforcement. Assault on a police officer can result in more prison time than if the assault was against a non-officer, while resisting arrest covers actions ranging from stealing a police officers gun to just acting disobediently. 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.
For the majority of violent crime charges, you'll be up against the local Los Angeles, CA prosecution. But for more serious cases, 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 ready to defend 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 an attorney to defend you in Los Angeles, CA, it's important to hire a legal team with the below 3 qualities:
- A History of Success: You don't want someone who's new to the California legal system, or new to your type of charge. Our team has a history of successful violent crime defense results.
- Varied Legal Experience: Our team has over 50 years of combined law experience, including time as prosecutors, judges, and police officers. We have experience in how the state builds its case against you, and how to poke holes in it.
- Relationships in Your Area's Court: We're ready for your case in Los Angeles, CA. We are familiar with local prosecutors and judges, and will use them to your advantage.
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.
Staunch Protection Against Violent Crime Charges – Call Our Lawyers Today
Violent crimes charges are tough to fight on your own. The statutes are complex. The Los Angeles, CA, prosecutor is strong. And the punishments are brutal. If you don't have an expert violent crimes lawyer at your side, your liberty 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 fight. We start every case by listening to our client, and defend your rights from day one until the case is over.
Reach out to us now to begin putting together your defense. Connect with us at (800) 755-5174 or fill out 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 Los Angeles, CA:
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