Violent Crimes Lawyer Norwalk, CA. Any criminal accusations are serious, but few are as serious as violent crimes. They risk destroying your reputation, devastating your career, and worst of all, a long time in jail or prison. But you have a chance at a more positive outcome. And with the Law Offices of David S. Chesley, Inc., you get a shield that will guard you from these devestating 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 Norwalk, CA, violent crimes defense lawyers will listen to you about your case, tell you the truth about your situation, and find defensive tactics that should be effective for your circumstances. We know that every case is unique and treat every client with respect. If you're ready to construct your defense, phone us at (800) 755-5174 or tell us about your case online today for a no-obligation, private consultation to discuss your case.
How the Law Offices of David S. Chesley's Lawyers Defend You Against Violent Crimes Accusations
Our team of Norwalk, CA, criminal defense lawyers are aware of how complex violent crimes allegations are, and we give each of our clients' cases a tailored defense. This is how we do it:
- Learn About Your Story – We believe that you should be at the center of your defense. 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 Norwalk, 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 defense, mistaken identity, or false allegations.
- Negotiatiate With the State – When speaking with the prosecutors, we will stand strong and demand the justice you deserve.
- Fight At Trial – Should your case go to trial, we'll present our matchless defense in court and show the judge and/or jury your side of the story.
Major Norwalk, 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. 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 aren't aware that to be guilty of 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, 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. Closely related is assault with a deadly weapon: Committing assault while using a non-firearm weapon. These variations are not actually given their own specific laws in California, but instead are lumped together under the broad umbrella of "assault laws."
As discussed above, assault only requires an attempt to cause harm. Battery is a step past assault, and allegations include actual harm being caused, instead of only being attempted. After a fight, Norwalk, CA prosecutors are often prone to issue both assault and battery charges to defendants. On the flip side, 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 other charges along those lines. Because of the difference in specific laws, 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.
Our violent crimes defense lawyers can also help you with the following charges in Norwalk, CA,:
- False Imprisonment: False imprisonment occcurs 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: 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 specific, extra bad purposes like 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 aren't their own statute, but are an unofficial term for certain criminal threats charges – you're also likely to see hate crime charges in these cases.
- Torture: Torture goes beyond battery and includes serious injuries, done to make the alleged victim suffer.
- 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: Arson involves the intentional and unlawful burning of property, as opposed to reckless burning, which is an unintentional version of the same things.
- 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
The right to bear arms comes with many restrictions and responsibilities in Norwalk, CA. California firearm offenses vary widely in nature and scope, and you can get in trouble for something as simple as unlawful possession.
Frequently, 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 Norwalk, CA, firearm charges are perilous, 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.
Meanwhile, discharging a firearm will frequently get you harsher sentences. Particularly for 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 Norwalk, 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. But if family is involved, they get even scarier. Domestic violence has a wider definition than battery on your spouse; it includes intentional or unintentional harm, threats of harm, and even just placing someone in fear of harm. 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 involves the direct, intentional cause of harm to a child, meanwhile child endangerment could be any action that endangers a child, regardless of whether you meant to or not. These charges are often filed together, increasing their gravity.
Our experienced violent crimes defense lawyers can help with more than just alleged conflicts between spouses and children. 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
If you're facing violent crime charges in Norwalk, CA, there's a good chance that they're one of the ones above. However, you can also be up against elevated charges and/or sentencing enhancement should your case fall into certain categories.
One way we frequently see penalties increased is through 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 another group-related charge. You can be convicted of conspiracy if you collaborate with someone else to commit a crime, and either one of you does something overt to advance the plan.
You could also see increased penalties if you're being charged with a hate crime. Hate crime charges can be their own case, but, you can also see them used as enhancements to other crimes. The district attorney in Norwalk, CA may charge another crime as a hate crime if the alleged offender's motivation was related to race, religion, sexuality, or another protected characteristic.
Lastly, our Norwalk, 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 a harder time securing early release. If a conviction would be your third strike, you are facing 25-years-to-life in prison, with further restrictions on early release.
Procedural and Governance Charges Defense Lawyers
When you get into an altercation with the police in Norwalk, CA, you can expect to face extra harsh violent crime charges. Assault on a police officer carries harsher penalties than simple assault, while resisting arrest can range from physical attacks to simply being uncooperative. Obstructing a police officer is a closely related set of charges, though this can penalize you for any way you prevent an officer from doing their job, regardless of if they were trying to arrest you.
These charges, as well as all the charges listed above, are most often handled by the Norwalk, CA, local prosecutor. 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 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 deciding on a lawyer to fight your case in Norwalk, CA, 'good enough' isn't good enough. You want 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 is know for our successful violent crime case results.
- Expansive Legal Experience: We have over 50 years of combined courtroom experience, including time as prosecutors, judges, and police officers. We know how the state prosecutes these cases, and how to fight against them.
- Local Relationships: We're ready for your case in Norwalk, 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.
Ferocious Protection Against Violent Crime Charges – Call Us Right Away
Violent crimes charges are tough to fight on your own. The court system is complex. The Norwalk, CA, prosecutor is powerful. And the consequences are brutal. If you don't have an expert violent crimes lawyer at your side, your innocence 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 faster. We fight. We make a defense with you at the center, and fight for your rights from the day you call until the case is over.
Reach out to us now to start putting together your defense. Call (800) 755-5174 or tell us about your case via 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 Norwalk, CA:
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