Violent Crimes Lawyer Manhattan Beach, CA. We know how overwhelming it can be to be facing violent crime accusations. They risk destroying your reputation, devastating your career, and perhaps worst of all, a long time in jail or prison. But you have a chance at a more positive outcome. And when you work with the Law Offices of David S. Chesley, Inc., you're getting expert legal representation to protect you from these legal and personal consequences. We will tenatiously defend you against violent crimes accusations from any of categories (and more):
- Assault, Threats, and Interpersonal Harm
- Firearm Mishandling
- Family and Animal Abuse
- Sentencing Enhancements
- Procedural and Governance Charges
Our expert Manhattan Beach, CA, violent crimes defense lawyers will look into your case, give you honest advice, and find defensive strategies that can be used for your case. We know that every case is unique and treat every client with respect. If you're ready to build your defense, phone us at (800) 755-5174 or tell us about your case online now for a free, private consultation.
The Law Offices of David S. Chesley's Process to Defend You Against Violent Crimes Accusations
Our team of Manhattan Beach, 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 research the charges and Manhattan Beach, CA, violent crime law specificsIf there are any quirks that are applicable to your case, we'll find them.
- Put Together a Defense Strategy – We'll recommend a defensive strategy such as self-defense, mistaken identity, or false allegations.
- Negotiatiate 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 – If there is a trial, we'll make sure that the judge and/or jury see your side of the story, and you're properly represented against the accusations.
Major Manhattan Beach, CA, Violent Crime Categories 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." Most people don't realize that to be guilty of 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: Committing assault while using a weapon other than a gun. 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 is a step past assault, and allegations include actual harm being caused, instead of just being attempted. You'll find that in many cases, if you're accused of battery in Manhattan Beach, CA, you'll also be accused of assault. On the flip side, criminal threats charges don't even require an attempt at violence, just an attempt to intimidate someone. 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. As a result of the difference in individual statutes, you need to work with a violent crimes lawyer who can protect you from any of the possible charges.
Our violent crimes defense lawyers can also help you with the following charges in Manhattan Beach, CA,:
- False Imprisonment: This occurs 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: As opposed to the above allegations, human trafficking is done for specific, extra bad 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 – you're also likely to see hate crime charges in these cases.
- Torture: Torture is a specific, grevious category of attack done for reasons such as revenge or extortion.
- 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 charges can be split into inciting the riot or participating in it, but both are usually charged as misdemeanors.
Firearm Mishandling Defense Lawyers
While most people do still have the right to own a firearm in Manhattan Beach, CA, it comes with many constraints. California firearm offenses cover a large swath of statutes, sometimes even just being the result of unlawful possession.
In many cases, these charges are related to a felon in possession of a firearm, but they could also be the result of carrying a concealed firearm when you don't have a permit or a felon possessing ammunition.
While all Manhattan Beach, CA, gun charges are significant, 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 other hand, discharging a firearm will frequently get you harsher sentences. Particularly in cases such as a drive-by shooting or shooting at an inhabited dwelling, you can be looking at years in prison and/or thousands of dollars in fines.
An expert Manhattan Beach, 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. However, the stigma and penalties are even worse when spouses, children, or other family members are affected. Domestic violence goes beyond battery on your spouse; it includes any actual harm caused, threats of harm, 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 is reserved for deliberate acts of violence against children (like hitting them), meanwhile 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 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, if an adolescent or child is the alleged offender, juvenile crime charges.
Sentencing Enhancement Defense Lawyers
Some violent crime accusations are just that – the Manhattan Beach, CA, prosecutor alleges that you committed an action that broke the law. However, you can also face elevated charges and/or sentencing enhancement for special circumstances.
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 closely related. You could be convicted of conspiracy if you make a plan with someone else to commit a crime, and either one of you does something overt to advance the plan.
Another way you can see your sentence raised is if you're accused of 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 Manhattan Beach, CA may charge another crime as a hate crime if the alleged offender committed the crime as an attack against a specific protected group.
Finally, our Manhattan Beach, CA, violent crimes attorneys can help guard you from 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 to wait significantly longer before earning eligibility for parole. When convicted and given a 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
If the alleged violent crime was committed against a law enforcement officer in Manhattan Beach, CA, the allegations can be even more severe. 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 set 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.
For the majority of violent crime charges, you'll be up against the local Manhattan Beach, CA prosecution. But when the state views a case as extra severe, a federal prosecutor may take over. 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 be your defense attorney for federal crimes as well as state charges.
Top 3 Violent Crimes Defense Lawyer Qualities
Violent crimes charges need high-quality defense lawyers. When you're picking an attorney to fight your case in Manhattan Beach, CA, 'good enough' isn't good enough. You want someone 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 inside knowledge of the ways the state builds its case against you, and how to poke holes in it.
- Local Relationships: We handle court cases all over California, including in Manhattan Beach, CA. We are familiar 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 properties.
Tenatious Protection Against Violent Crime Charges – Call Our Lawyers Right Away
Don't try to face violent crimes accusations alone. The laws are convoluted. The Manhattan Beach, CA, district attorney is formidable. And the punishments are steep. If you're lacking an expert violent crimes lawyer at your side, your liberty and constitutional rights are at risk.
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 easier to get. We fight. We make a defense with you at the center, and defend your rights from the day you call until the case is concluded.
Reach out to us now to start building your defense. Call us at (800) 755-5174 or fill out our online contact form to speak with an attorney about how to defend you.
We also offer the following legal services in Manhattan Beach, CA:
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