Violent Crimes Lawyer Ontario, CA

Violent Crimes Lawyer Ontario, CA. Any criminal accusations are serious, but few are as serious as violent crimes. They risk harming your reputation, hurting your career, and worst yet, a lengthy prison sentence. But all hope is not lost. And when you work with the Law Offices of David S. Chesley, Inc., you have someone protecting 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 skillful Ontario, CA, violent crimes defense lawyers will listen to you about your case, give you upfront, straightforward answers, and find defensive tactics that should be effective for your situation. We know that every case is unique and treat every client with respect. If you're ready to construct your defense, speak with one of our representatives (800) 755-5174 or fill out our contact form today for a free, 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 Ontario, CA, criminal defense lawyers are aware of how complex violent crimes allegations are, and we build a defense that's suited to your specific case. It all starts with the following steps:

• Listen to Your Story – Every case starts with our client. We want to hear your side of the story.
• Research the Law and Your Case – We'll investigate the charges and Ontario, CA, violent crime law specifics, to ensure that we're well prepared to build a strong defensive strategy.
• Craft a Defense Strategy – Our team will recommend a defensive strategy such as self-defense, lack of intent, or procedural error.
• Negotiatiate 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 stick with you from start to finish, fighting for a positive outcome.

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. Before you can be conficted in Ontario, CA, the state must prove elements like intent and harm beyond a reasonable doubt. After an investigation, if the state believes it has enough evidence against you, they will make formal charges against you. Many violent crime charges in California are 'wobblers,' meaning that they can be charged as either a misdemeanor or a felony. Misdemeanors have lighter sentences, while felonies can land you in prison for years. When arguing these cases, medical records, witness testimony, and digital evidence are often central to the argument.

For instance, assault and battery are two separate offenses in Califoria, with different definitions: Assault (Penal Code 240) does not require any actual harm done (just an attempt or threat), meanwhile battery (Penal Code 242) requires actual physical contact. Both can be charged as misdemeanors or felonies; it's up to the prosecution to decide what to charge. Outcomes vary a lot depending on the specific charges and past history of the alleged offender. A first-time misdemeanor assault might lead to probation, but repeat offenders or felony charges are more likely to face harsh penalties. 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.

Major Ontario, 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 the person of another." A lot of people aren't aware 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.

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 charge types in particular are very similar to assault: they normally requires that the alleged offender was trying to cause 'serious' harm rather than general harm. Another similar one is assault with a deadly weapon: Assault 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."

Now that we've covered assault, let's discuss battery. Battery occurs when harm is actually done, instead of just being attempted. You'll find that in many cases, if you're accused of battery in Ontario, CA, you'll also be accused of assault. On the flip side, criminal threats charges can result even from a nonviolent altercation. All you have to do is intimidate someone. You can be found guilty even if you didn't have the ability to carry out the threats.

Reckless endangerment charges are another set of charges that are typical in Ontario, CA. This can include reckless driving, child endangerment, and other charges along those lines. As a result of the variation in specific statutes, it's paramount to find a violent crimes lawyer who knows how to defend each of the charges.

Here are some other related violent crimes charges our attorneys defend in Ontario, CA,:

• False Imprisonment: False imprisonment occcurs when one person confines another to a space against their will, for example, locking another person in a room.
• 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 reasons 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: Sometimes, criminal threats charges might be referred to as terrorist threats, if they are especially bad – watch out for linked hate crime accusations in these cases.
• Torture: Torture is a specific, grevious category of attack done for reasons such as revenge or extortion.
• Mayhem: If a fight resulted in the permanent scarring of another person, the aggressor can be charged with mayhem.
• Arson: Arson charges allege that you intentionally lit something on fire that you weren't allowed to.
• Rioting: Rioting involves multiple people acting together to cause and/or threaten violence while disturbing the peace.

Firearm Mishandling Defense Lawyers

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

Commonly, 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 any Ontario, CA, firearm 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.

Meanwhile, discharging a firearm can greatly increase the punishment you're facing. Especially 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 Ontario, 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

The stakes are high for all kinds of violent crime allegations. 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 intentional or unintentional harm, threats of abuse, 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.

Crimes against children also have their own specific legal categories. Child abuse involves the direct, intentional cause of harm to a child, while child endangerment could be any action that endangers a child, regardless of whether you meant to or not. These charges are often filed together, raising their seriousness.

Our experienced violent crimes defense lawyers can help with more than just alleged conflicts between spouses and children. We also defend against animal cruelty charges, elder abuse charges, and, in cases with youth defendants, juvenile crime charges.

Sentencing Enhancement Defense Lawyers

The majority of Ontario, CA, violent crime cases are rooted in some alleged act of violence. However, you could also need to fight elevated 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 dangerous because you can face penalties without having personally done something actively wrong. You can be convicted 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.

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, it's common for them to be used as enhancements to other crimes. The district attorney in Ontario, CA may charge another crime as a hate crime if they believe that the alleged offender's motivation was related to race, religion, sexuality, or another protected characteristic.

Lastly, our Ontario, CA, violent crimes attorneys can help guard 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 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 further contstraints on early release.

Procedural and Governance Charges Defense Lawyers

If the alleged violent crime was committed against a law enforcement officer in Ontario, CA, the allegations can be even more severe. Assault on a police officer carries harsher penalties than simple assault, while resisting arrest carries similarly harsher sentences for a wide array of alleged misconduct. Obstructing a police officer is a similar category of charges, though these ones 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 Ontario, CA, local prosecutor. On some occasions, when the accusations are especially 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 defend you against federal crimes in addition to state charges.

Additional Miscellaneous Violent Crime Defense Services We Offer

Violent Robberies and Related Offenses: Armed Robbery, Carjacking, and Burglary

Robbery lawyer services are essential for charges like robbery or home invasion. These can carry penalties up to 9 years or 20 years, respectively. The use of a weapon is often an enhancing factor for sentencing..

In one case, a client faced armed robbery charges after a misunderstanding during a transaction. By exposing false accusations and procedural errors, we secured a misdemeanor plea with no jail time. If you're on parole or have prior convictions, you could face sentencing enhancements if convicted. Restraining orders may follow if violence is alleged, impacting your life long-term.

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 deciding on a lawyer to defend you in Ontario, CA, you want someone with the below 3 qualities:

1. A History of Success: You want to be represented by an attorney who knows the ins and outs of the California court system. Our team has a history of successful violent crime defense results.
2. Relationships in Your Area's Court: We handle court cases all over California, including in Ontario, CA. We are familiar with local prosecutors and judges, and will leverage our relationships in your negotiations.

To maximize your chances of beating violent crimes charges, you need lawyers with all of the above attributes. And with the Law Offices of David S. Chesley, Inc., you'll get those qualities.

California Three Strikes Law Defense: A Significant Focus for Local Clients

California's Three Strikes Law (Penal Code 667) can greatly impact violent crimes charges in Ontario, CA. Enacted in 1994, it mandates 25 years to life for a third "strike" felony if priors include serious or violent crimes. Even non-violent third strikes once triggered life sentences until Proposition 36 reformed it in 2012, allowing resentencing for some.

As a violent crime defense attorney, I dedicate extensive resources to Three Strikes cases. 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:

• Romero Motions: Romero motions protect you by asking a judge to ignore a prior strike that is not fair to use against you. Judges take into account the circumstances of the older cases, as well as the character of the alleged offender.
• Motion for Resentencing: Post-Prop 36, over 2,000 have been resentenced. Our legal team will petition for a reduction in sentences when your third strike was non-violent.
• Avoiding New Strikes: In current cases, we negotiate pleas to non-strike offenses, like misdemeanor assault instead of felony. Lack of intent defenses prevent strike enhancements.
• Constitutional Challenges: We argue cruel and unusual punishment, especially for disproportionate sentences. Part of this can also involve fighting against prior convictions, and showing that they were unconstitutional or incorrect.
• 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.

Three strikes charges are not something to take lightly. If you're facing a third strike in Ontario, CA, you need to contact an attorney now. And we're prepared to help you. It doesn't matter how hard the prosecution fights, we will be with you every step of the way. Our experience and resources give us the tools we need to defend you.

Three Strikes disproportionately affects minorities and low-income areas like parts of Ontario, CA. Reforms continue, but without aggressive defense, clients face lifelong consequences. If searching "California Three Strikes Law defense," know it's winnable—contact me to review your priors.

Staunch Protection Against Violent Crime Charges – Call Our Legal Team Right Away

You need help when you're fighting against violent crimes allegations. The statutes are convoluted. The Ontario, CA, district attorney is powerful. And the penalties are harsh. If you're lacking 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 stand idly by and let the state build its case. We don't accept a poor plea deal, just because it was faster. We confront the charges. We listen to your story, craft a resolute defense, and defend your freedom from day one until the case is concluded.

Reach out to us now to begin building your defense. Call 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.

We also offer the following legal services in Ontario, CA:

• Sex Crimes Lawyer
• Immigration Lawyer
• Drug Charges Lawyer
• Theft Lawyer
• DUI Lawyer
• Criminal Defense Lawyer