Violent Crimes Lawyer Oxnard, CA. We know how overwhelming it can be to be facing violent crime accusations. They risk torpedoing your reputation, setting back your career, and possibly worst yet, a lengthy prison sentence. But all hope is not lost. And when you call the Law Offices of David S. Chesley, Inc., you have someone protecting 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 expert Oxnard, CA, violent crimes defense lawyers will examine your case, give you honest advice, and develop defense strategies that should be effective 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 fill out our contact form now for a no-obligation, confidential consultation.
How the Law Offices of David S. Chesley's Lawyers Defend You Against Violent Crimes Allegations
Our team of Oxnard, CA, criminal defense lawyers know how different each violent crimes accusation can be, and we design our defensive strategy around the specifics of your situation. It all starts with the following steps:
- Learn Your Story – We believe that you should be at the center of your defense. We want to hear from you what really happened and why.
- Research the Statutes and Your Case – We'll research the charges and Oxnard, CA, violent crime law specifics, to see if there are any special circumstances which apply to you.
- Put Together a Defense Strategy – Our team will recommend a defensive strategy such as self-defense, lack of intent, or false allegations.
- Plea Bargain With the State – For many cases, the easiest way to a positive outcome is through a plea deal. When we negotiate plea deals with the state, we don't give up and fight to get something favorable.
- Fight At Trial – If your case reaches trial, we'll present our matchless defense in court and show the judge and/or jury your side of the story.
Major Oxnard, CA, Violent Crime Categories We Defend
Assault, Threats, and Interpersonal Harm Defense Lawyers
Assault is one of the most commont types of violent crimes in California. In fact, the literal definition describes it as attempting "a violent injury on somebody." Most people don't know 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, you could also potentially face a severe variation on the charges. Aggravated assault is just that: assault with intent to cause serious bodily injury. Closely related 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 is similar to assault because both involve attempted harm. However, in battery's case, the harm was successful, instead of just being attempted. In Oxnard, CA, it's common to be charged with both at the same time after an altercation. On the other hand, criminal threats charges don't even require an attempt at violence, just an attempt to intimidate someone. You don't even have to be willing to follow through; "I didn't mean it" isn't a valid defense for these charges.
Reckless endangerment charges are another set of charges that are typical in Oxnard, CA. This can include reckless driving, child endangerment, and similar charges. Due to the variation in each of the laws, 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 Oxnard, CA,:
- False Imprisonment: This occurs 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: 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 grim purposes such as forced labor or sex.
- Stalking: California defines stalking as repeatedly following or harassing another person, and making a related credible threat.
- Terrorist Threats: Sometimes, criminal threats charges might be referred to as terrorist threats, if they are especially bad – 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: 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 Oxnard, CA. California firearm offenses can result from any number of statute violations, and you can get in trouble for something as simple as unlawful possession.
Often, possession charges are related to a felon in possession of a firearm, but it could also be related to carrying a concealed firearm when you don't have a permit or a felon possessing ammunition.
While all Oxnard, CA, gun charges are major, one thing that can make a big difference is how you supposedly used the gun. 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.
On the other hand, discharging a firearm will almost always be a more serious charge. Especially for incidents 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 Oxnard, CA, violent crimes defense attorney will protect you from the legal consequences of these charges, including 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 isn't just battery on your spouse; it includes injuries of all kinds, threats of harm, and even just causing a situation where someone is afraid they'll be hurt. Domestic violence charges are about more than just the alleged harm or danger, though — they're about who it supposedly was committed against. To qualify, the alleged victim must have held some kind of close relationship with the alleged offender, for example, romantic partners or parents who share a child.
Crimes against children also have their own specific legal categories. Child abuse is reserved for deliberate acts of violence against children (like hitting them), while 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 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
Some violent crime accusations are just that – the Oxnard, CA, prosecutor alleges that you committed an action that broke the law. That said, you can also need to fight heightened charges and/or sentencing enhancement if your case meets certain criteria.
In many cases, the punishments can be heightened via gang enhancements. If a crime was committed in the furtherance 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 found guilty of conspiracy if you make a plan with somebody 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. While hate crimes can be standalone offenses, it's common for them to be used as enhancements to other crimes. The prosecution in Oxnard, CA may charge another crime as a hate crime if the alleged offender was motivated by hatred towards a demographic that the alleged victim belonged to.
Furthermore, our Oxnard, 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, the penalty could be 25-years-to-life in prison, with additional contstraints on parole.
Procedural and Governance Charges Defense Lawyers
If the alleged violent crime was committed against a law enforcement officer in Oxnard, CA, the allegations can be even more severe. 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 category of charges, though these ones 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 Oxnard, CA, you'll be in municipal court against a local prosecuting attorney. 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 equipped to defend you against federal crimes as well as state charges.
Top 3 Violent Crimes Defense Lawyer Qualities
Violent crimes charges require top-tier defense attorneys. When you're picking a lawyer to defend you in Oxnard, CA, 'good enough' isn't good enough. 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 defense results.
- Diverse Legal Experience: The Law Offices of David S. Chesley, Inc., has over 50 years of combined law experience, including time as prosecutors, judges, and police officers. We know how the state tries to get violent crimes convictions, and how to fight for a positive outcome.
- Relationships in Your Area's Court: We handle court cases all over California, including in Oxnard, CA. We know 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 Attorneys Right Away
Don't try to face violent crimes accusations alone. The court system is complex. The Oxnard, CA, district attorney is intimidating. And the consequences are harsh. Without an expert violent crimes lawyer at your side, your liberty and constitutional rights are in danger.
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 battle the state. We make a defense with you at the center, and defend your freedom from day one until the case is done.
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 a member of our team about how to defend you.
We also offer the following legal services in Oxnard, CA:
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