Violent Crimes Lawyer Panorama City, CA. We know how overwhelming it can be to be facing violent crime accusations. They risk wrecking your reputation, setting back your career, and perhaps worst of all, a lengthy prison sentence. But you can fight to protect yourself. And when you hire the Law Offices of David S. Chesley, Inc., you are hiring a team that knows how to safeguard you from these consequences. We will fight to protect you from violent crime accusations in each of the below categories (and more):
- Assault, Threats, and Interpersonal Harm
- Firearm Mishandling
- Family and Animal Abuse
- Sentencing Enhancements
- Procedural and Governance Charges
Our skillful Panorama City, CA, violent crimes defense lawyers will look into your case, tell you the truth about your situation, and find defense tactics that will be effective for your charges. We view your case, and you as a person, as unique and deserving of individual attention. If you're ready to build your defense, contact us at (800) 755-5174 or contact us online now for a no-obligation, private consultation.
How the Law Offices of David S. Chesley's Lawyers Defend You Against Violent Crimes Accusations
Our team of Panorama City, CA, criminal defense lawyers know that every violent crime case is unique, and we give each of our clients' cases a tailored defense. It all starts with the following steps:
- 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 charges and Panorama City, CA, violent crime law specifics, to see if there are any special circumstances which apply to you.
- Build a Defense Strategy – Our lawyers will recommend a defensive strategy such as defense, lack of intent, or procedural error.
- 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 stick with you from start to finish, fighting for a positive outcome.
Major Panorama City, CA, Violent Crime Allegations We Defend
Assault, Threats, and Interpersonal Harm Defense Lawyers
Assault is perhaps the most prototypical violent crime charge people thing of. What's interesting about it is that no harm has to actually be done. To be guilty of assault, one has to attempt "a violent injury on someone else." A lot of people are unaware that to be guilty of assault, there only has to be an attempt at causing harm, regardless of whether or not you actually cause harm.
Simple assault charges can already get you months in prison and a $1,000 fine, but there are several more serious variations of them. Aggravated assault is just that: assault with intent to cause serious bodily injury. 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
As discussed above, assault only requires an attempt to cause harm. Battery occurs when harm is actually done, instead of just being attempted. In Panorama City, 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.
Reckless endangerment charges are another set of charges that are typical in Panorama City, CA. This can include reckless driving, child endangerment, and similar charges. Due to the difference in individual laws, you need to work with a violent crimes lawyer who knows how to defend each of the charges.
Our violent crime defense attorneys can also help you fight the following charges in Panorama City, CA,:
- False Imprisonment: This occurs when one person confines another to a space against their will, and could be as simple as you allegedly blocking a doorway.
- Kidnapping: Kidnapping is different from false imprisonment because it involves forcibly moving a person from one location to another.
- Human Trafficking: As opposed to the above allegations, human trafficking 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: Terrorist threats are another form of criminal threats – 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 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
Due to state law, you're not able to just do whatever you please with a gun in Panorama City, CA. California firearm offenses cover a large swath of statutes, and you can get in trouble for something as simple as unlawful possession.
Most commonly, possession charges are related to a felon in possession of a firearm, but it could also be related to having a concealed firearm when you don't have a permit or a felon possessing ammunition.
While any Panorama City, CA, firearm 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.
Meanwhile, discharging a firearm can greatly increase the punishment you're facing. Particularly 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 experienced Panorama City, 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 isn't just battery on your spouse; it includes injuries of all kinds, threats of abuse, 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 involves the direct, intentional cause of harm to a child, while child endangerment consists of putting a child at risk of harm, either intentionally or unintentionally. These charges can be filed together, amplifying their seriousness.
Our experienced 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, in cases with youth defendants, juvenile crime charges.
Sentencing Enhancement Defense Lawyers
Some violent crime accusations are just that – the Panorama City, CA, prosecutor alleges that you committed an action that broke the law. But you could also need to fight elevated charges and/or sentencing enhancement for special circumstances.
One of the most common examples is gang enhancements. If a crime was committed in the furtherance of gang activities, anywhere from 4 years to life can be added onto the sentence, depending on the alleged crime. Conspiracy charges are dangerous because you can face penalties without having personally done something actively wrong. You could be convicted of conspiracy if you make a plan with another person 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 often used as enhancements to other crimes. The district attorney in Panorama City, CA may charge another crime as a hate crime if they think that the alleged offender was motivated by hatred towards a demographic that the alleged victim belonged to.
Finally, our Panorama City, CA, violent crimes attorneys can help defend you against California's three strikes law. This law allows the government to keep track of your criminal history and assign "strikes" to certain felony convictions. With one prior strike, sentences for felony convictions are doubled, and you will have a harder time securing early release. When convicted and given a third strike, the penalty could be 25-years-to-life in prison, with additional restrictions on early release.
Procedural and Governance Charges Defense Lawyers
Panorama City, CA, violent crime charges can be particularly damaging if they were allegedly committed against law enforcement. Assault on a police officer is more heavily penalized than assault against other civilians, while resisting arrest covers actions ranging from stealing a police officers gun to just acting disobediently. Obstructing a police officer is a closely related set 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.
In most cases, if you're accused of a violent crime in Panorama City, CA, you'll be in municipal court against a local prosecuting attorney. On some occasions, when the accusations are especially severe, a federal prosecutor will take charge. 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 defend you against 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 picking a lawyer to protect you in Panorama City, CA, 'good enough' isn't good enough. You want a firm 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 has a history of successful violent crime case results.
- Varied Legal Experience: Our team has over 50 years of combined legal experience, including time as prosecutors, judges, and police officers. We have experience in how the state tries to get violent crimes convictions, and how to fight for a positive outcome.
- Relationships in Your Area's Court: Our team of attorneys cover cases across the state, including in Panorama City, 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.
Staunch Protection Against Violent Crime Charges – Call Our Legal Team Now
You need help when you're fighting against violent crimes allegations. The court system is convoluted. The Panorama City, CA, prosecutor is strong. And the punishments are oppressive. 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 battle the state. We listen to your story, craft a resolute defense, and protect your rights from day one until the case is over.
Reach out to us now to start building your defense. Call us at (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 protect your rights.
We also offer the following legal services in Panorama City, CA:
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