Violent Crimes Lawyer Manhattan Beach, CA. Any criminal accusations are serious, but few are as serious as violent crimes. They risk harming your reputation, devastating your career, and perhaps worst of all, a trip to jail or prison. But you have a chance at a more positive outcome. And when you hire 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 skillful Manhattan Beach, CA, violent crimes defense lawyers will examine your case, tell you the truth about your situation, and develop 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 construct your defense, call us at (800) 755-5174 or contact us online now for a no-obligation, confidential consultation to discuss your case.

How the Law Offices of David S. Chesley's Lawyers 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 build a defense that's suited to your specific case. Here's how we'll do that for your case:

  • Listen to Your Story – Every case starts with our client. You can be honest with us about everything, and we'll start with your perspective.
  • Research the Law and Your Case – We'll research the specifics of the charges and Manhattan Beach, CA, violent crime law specifics, to see if there are any special circumstances which apply to you.
  • Put Together a Defense Strategy – Our lawyers will recommend a defensive strategy such as self-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 make sure that the judge and/or jury see your side of the story, and you're properly represented against the accusations.

Understanding Violent Crimes in California: Felony vs. Misdemeanor Charges

California law defines several violent crimes, including the likes of aggravated assault, child abuse, and resisting arrest. When you've been accused of a violent crime in Manhattan Beach, CA, the state must prove components like your culpability beyond a reasonable doubt. Many cases begin with a preliminary hearing, where we can challenge evidence early. Felony charges carry harsher penalties, including state prison time, while misdemeanors might result in county jail, probation, or fines. Several of these cases hinge on testimony as much as physical evidence — our attorneys will dissect alleged victim testimony in cross-examination and show your side of the story.

As an example of the variety of case types, let's look at the difference between assault charges and battery charges in California: Assault (Penal Code 240) does not require any actual harm done (just an attempt or threat), while battery (Penal Code 242) involves actually causing harm. Each of these can be misdemeanors or felonies, depending on severity. If you're facing violent crime charges, the potential sentence depends a lot on the context. Probation is more likely if you don't have any prior convictions on your record, but particularly aggressive circumstances could wind up with felony charges. At the Law Offices of David S. Chesley, we will fight for your freedom and protect your rights, mounting a tenacious defense against all charges.

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Major Manhattan Beach, CA, Violent Crime Accusations 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 somebody." A lot of people don't know that to be charged with assault, one only has to attempt to cause harm, not necessarily 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 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 similar to assault because both involve attempted harm. However, in battery's case, the harm was successful, rather than simply being attempted. In Manhattan Beach, 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 don't even have to be willing to follow through; "I didn't mean it" isn't a valid defense for these charges.

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 specific laws, it's paramount to hire a violent crimes lawyer who can protect you from any of the possible charges.

Our violent crime defense attorneys can also help you fight the following charges in Manhattan Beach, CA,:

  • False Imprisonment: This is defined as an incident when an individual detaining another without just cause, 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 specific, extra grim reasons 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 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: Mayhem is like a more advanced version of battery, though in this case, a permanent disfigurement or disability must have been caused.
  • 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

Due to state law, you're not able to just do whatever you please with a gun in Manhattan Beach, CA. California firearm offenses cover a large swath of statutes, sometimes even just being the result of unlawful possession.

Often, these charges are related to a felon in possession of a firearm, but you could also face them for carrying a concealed firearm when you don't have a permit or a felon possessing ammunition.

While any Manhattan Beach, CA, gun charges are perilous, one thing that can make a big difference is how you supposedly used the gun. Brandishing a weapon is when one person shows another a gun (or other weapon) to intimidate them, not necessarily firing it. Most of the time this is charged as a misdemeanor.

On the other hand, discharging a firearm will almost always be a more serious charge. Especially for cases such as a drive-by shooting or shooting at an inhabited dwelling, the penalties are very harsh.

An excellent Manhattan Beach, 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

No matter what kind of violent crime charge you're facing, it's tough to see a way out. However, the stigma and penalties are even worse when spouses, children, or other family members are affected. Domestic violence has a wider definition than 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 charges are saved for when someone alleged hurt a child on purpose, meanwhile child endangerment consists of putting a child at risk of harm, either intentionally or unintentionally. These charges can be filed together, intensifying their gravity.

Our expert 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, should your child be the accused, 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. That said, you could also need to fight heightened charges and/or sentencing enhancement should your case fall into certain categories.

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 closely related. You can be convicted of conspiracy if you make a plan with somebody else to break the law, and either one of you does something that furthers the commission of the crime.

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 crimes. The prosecutor in Manhattan Beach, CA may charge another crime as a hate crime if they think that the alleged offender's motivation was related to race, religion, sexuality, or another protected characteristic.

Finally, our Manhattan Beach, CA, violent crimes attorneys can help defend 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, if you are convicted of a new felony, the sentence will be doubled, and you won't be eligible for parole until you've served 80% of the sentence. If a conviction would be your third strike, you are facing 25-years-to-life in prison, with additional 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 can range from physical attacks to simply being uncooperative. Obstructing a police officer is a similar category of charges, though this can broadly apply to anything done to get in their way, whether or not they were trying to arrest you.

These charges, as well as all the charges listed above, are most often handled by the Manhattan Beach, CA, local prosecutor. But for more serious cases, a federal prosecutor may fight against you. 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 ready to defend you against federal crimes in addition to state charges.

Additional Miscellaneous Violent Crime Defense Services We Offer

Violent Robbery Defense Lawyer: Armed Robbery, Carjacking, and Burglary

Robbery lawyer services are essential if you're facing charges like carjacking (PC 215). Carjacking goes beyond grand theft: While grand theft auto involves the taking of a vehicle without its owner's permission, it doesn't necessarily include any interaction with the owners themselves. Carjacking, on the other hand, does involve a forceful interaction with the owner. Because of this, it carries a harsher penalty because of its violent nature, up to 9 years in prison.

Plea negotiations play a key role in defending violent robbery charges. By working with the state, a skilled violent crimes defense attorney can potentially reduce charges to misdemeanors. If you're on parole or have any convictions on your record, you could face sentencing enhancements if convicted. Depending on the nature of the alleged crime and your relationship with the victim, you might alse be up against a restraining order.

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Top 3 Violent Crimes Defense Lawyer Qualities

Violent crimes charges need high-quality defense lawyers. When you're picking an attorney to protect you in Manhattan Beach, CA, you want a firm with the below 3 qualities:

  1. 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 case results.
  2. Relationships in Your Area's Court: We're ready for your case in Manhattan Beach, CA. We have relationships with local prosecutors and judges, and will leverage our relationships in your negotiations.

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 characteristics.

Three Strikes Law Defense in Manhattan Beach, CA

California's Three Strikes Law (Penal Code 667) can turn a seemingly straightforward case in Manhattan Beach, CA, into something much more serious. This law can be devastating for repeat offenders, who face a sentence of 25 years to life after a third serious or violent felony conviction. Even non-violent third strikes once triggered life sentences until Proposition 36 reformed it in 2012, allowing resentencing for some.

You need a law office with extensive resources to fight against Three Strikes cases. And the Law Offices of David S. Chesley has those resources. Key strike eligible offenses include armed robbery, assault with a deadly weapon, and kidnapping. On your second strike, sentences are doubled, and on your third, you can be facing a life sentence.

Defense Strategies Under Three Strikes:

  • Challenging Prior Strikes: We file Romero motions to strike priors if they're old, minor, or unjust. These are more likely to be successful by showing flaws with the older case, or proof of rehabilitation.
  • Motion for Resentencing: Post-Prop 36, over 2,000 have been resentenced. This has the potential to reduce charges from a life sentence down to time served, if the third strike was non-violent.
  • Avoiding New Strikes: In current cases, we negotiate pleas to non-strike offenses, like misdemeanor assault instead of felony. Showing lack of intent is key in thse cases.
  • Constitutional Challenges: We argue cruel and unusual punishment, especially for disproportionate sentences. False accusations in priors can be exposed via new evidence.
  • Impact on Parole and Life After Conviction: On top of increasing your sentence, strikes delay parole eligibility. A skilled criminal defense attorney like the ones at the Law Offices of David S. Chesley will fight for your early release and/or expungement of your record.

A Manhattan Beach, CA, client with two priors faced a third strike for assault on a peace officer. By proving self-defense and procedural errors (improper Miranda), we got the charge reduced, avoiding life. The District Attorney often pushes hard, but jury trials reveal biases in victim testimony. With over 20 years defending Three Strikes, I've secured dismissals in 70% of cases by exploiting weaknesses.

Minorities and low-income individuals are frequently affected by California's Three Strikes law in Manhattan Beach, CA. Reforms continue, but without aggressive defense, clients face lifelong consequences. If you're facing a third strike in California, it's easy to feel despair. But your case isn't over yet – call the Law Offices of David S. Chesley today to fight for your freedom.

Ferocious Protection Against Violent Crime Charges – Call Us Right Away

Don't try to face violent crimes accusations alone. The statutes are complex. The Manhattan Beach, CA, prosecutor is intimidating. And the penalties are severe. 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 the first one offered. We confront the charges. We listen to your story, craft a resolute defense, and protect your freedom from day one until the case is concluded.

Reach out to us now to begin building your defense. Call (800) 755-5174 or tell us about your case via our online contact form to speak with a lawyer about how to defend you.

We also offer the following legal services in Manhattan Beach, CA: