Violent Crimes Lawyer Orange, CA. Any criminal accusations are serious, but few are as serious as violent crimes. They risk destroying your reputation, setting back your career, and worst of all, a long time in jail or prison. But accusations are not the same as convictions. And when you hire the Law Offices of David S. Chesley, Inc., you have someone protecting you from these devestating 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 Orange, CA, violent crimes defense lawyers will investigate your case, give you honest advice, and develop defense strategies that will be effective for your circumstances. We view your case, and you as a person, as unique and deserving of individual attention. If you need to create your defense, phone us at (800) 755-5174 or fill out our contact form now for a free, confidential consultation to discuss your case.
The Law Offices of David S. Chesley's Process to Defend You Against Violent Crimes Charges
Our team of Orange, CA, criminal defense lawyers know how different each violent crimes accusation can be, and we build a defense that's suited to your specific case. This is how we do it:
- Learn 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 investigate the charges and Orange, CA, violent crime law specifics, to see if there are any special circumstances which apply to you.
- Put Together a Defense Strategy – We'll recommend a defensive strategy such as self-defense, lack of intent, or false allegations.
- Negotiatiate With the State – Any time we communicate with the Orange prosecution about your case, we will stand strong to find a deal that works for you.
- Fight At Trial – Should your case go to trial, we'll stick with you from start to finish, fighting for a positive outcome.
Major Orange, 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 somebody." Many people don't realize that to be charged with 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, there are several more serious variations of them. Aggravated assault types of charges stem from attempts to cause serious harm, rather than just harm in general. Closely related is assault with a deadly weapon: Assault 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 occurs when harm is actually done, rather than simply being attempted. In Orange, CA, it's common to be charged with both at the same time after an altercation. 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.
Reckless endangerment charges are another set of charges that are typical in Orange, CA. This can include reckless driving, child endangerment, and similar charges. Because of the variation in individual statutes, you need to have a violent crimes lawyer who knows how to defend each of the charges.
Our lawyers also defend the following violent crimes charges in Orange, CA,:
- False Imprisonment: False imprisonment occcurs when one person wrongfully restrains or confines another, 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: As opposed to the above allegations, human trafficking is done for specific, extra heinous 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 are another form of criminal threats – you can expect there to be links to hate crimes in these cases.
- Torture: Torture is used for particularly grisly allegations of harm, wherein the action was performed for a sadistic purpose.
- Mayhem: Mayhem is like a more advanced version of battery, though in this case, a permanent disfigurement or disability must have been caused.
- Arson: Arson charges allege that you intentionally lit something on fire that you weren't allowed to.
- 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
The right to bear arms comes with many restrictions and responsibilities in Orange, CA. California firearm offenses vary widely in nature and scope, and you don't even have to fire the gun to get in trouble. You can be arrested simply for unlawful possession.
Frequently, possession charges are related to a felon in possession of a firearm, but they could also be the result of possessing a concealed firearm when you don't have a permit or a felon possessing ammunition.
While any Orange, CA, gun charges are important to take seriously, 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. Most of the time this is charged as a misdemeanor.
Meanwhile, discharging a firearm will almost always be a more serious charge. Especially in allegations such as a drive-by shooting or shooting at an inhabited dwelling, it's unlikely that you'd get off with a small fee or community service.
An expert Orange, 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
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 goes beyond battery on your spouse; it includes intentional or unintentional harm, threats of harm, and even just causing a situation where someone is afraid they'll be hurt. And for it to qualify as 'domestic,' the alleged victim can be anyone from your spouse to your child to your roommate.
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 could be any action that endangers a child, regardless of whether you meant to or not. These charges are often filed together, increasing their seriousness.
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, in cases with youth defendants, juvenile crime charges.
Sentencing Enhancement Defense Lawyers
Some violent crime accusations are just that – the Orange, CA, prosecutor alleges that you committed an action that broke the law. That said, you could also need to fight increased charges and/or sentencing enhancement for special circumstances.
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 dangerous because you can face penalties without having personally done something actively wrong. You could be convicted of conspiracy if you collaborate with somebody else to commit a crime, and either one of you does something that furthers the commission of the crime.
You could also see increased penalties if you're being charged with a hate crime. While hate crimes can be standalone offenses, they are frequently used as enhancements to other crimes. The prosecution in Orange, CA is likely to apply a hate crime label if they believe that the alleged offender was motivated by hatred towards a demographic that the alleged victim belonged to.
Finally, our Orange, 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, 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
Orange, 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 similar 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.
In most cases, if you're accused of a violent crime in Orange, CA, you'll be in municipal court against a local prosecuting attorney. 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 proud 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 an attorney to protect you in Orange, CA, you want a legal team with the below 3 qualities:
- Prior Success: You want to be represented by an attorney who knows the ins and outs of the California court system. Our team is know for our successful violent crime case results.
- Expansive Legal Experience: We have over 50 years of combined legal experience, including time as prosecutors, judges, and police officers. We have inside knowledge of the ways the state tries to get violent crimes convictions, and how to fight for a positive outcome.
- Local Relationships: We handle court cases all over California, including in Orange, CA. We have relationships with local prosecutors and judges, and will use them to your advantage.
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 someone with all those properties.
Tenatious Defenses Against Violent Crime Charges – Call Our Lawyers Now
Violent crimes charges are tough to fight on your own. The statutes are complicated. The Orange, CA, prosecutor is strong. And the punishments are severe. If you don't have an expert violent crimes lawyer to defend you, 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 the first one offered. We battle the state. We make a defense with you at the center, and defend your rights from the day you call until the case is done.
Reach out to us now to start putting together 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 protect your rights.
We also offer the following legal services in Orange, CA:
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