Violent Crimes Lawyer Pasadena, CA. Any criminal accusations are serious, but few are as serious as violent crimes. They risk wrecking your reputation, setting back your career, and worst yet, a long time in jail or prison. But all hope is not lost. And with the Law Offices of David S. Chesley, Inc., you are hiring a team that knows how to safeguard you from these 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 Pasadena, CA, violent crimes defense lawyers will research your case, be honest with our recommendations, and find defensive strategies that should 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 craft your defense, contact us at (800) 755-5174 or send us a note online now for a no-obligation, private consultation.
The Law Offices of David S. Chesley's Process to Defend You Against Violent Crimes Accusations
Our team of Pasadena, 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:
- Learn Your Story – When we build a defense, it all starts with you. We want to hear your side of the story.
- Research the Statutes and Your Case – We'll research the specifics of the charges and Pasadena, CA, violent crime law specificsIf there are any quirks that are applicable to your case, we'll find them.
- Build a Defense Strategy – Our team will recommend a defensive strategy such as self-defense, consent, or procedural error.
- Plea Bargain With the State – We won't back down in negotiations; we'll fight to secure a plea deal that protects your interests.
- Fight At Trial – Should your case go to trial, we'll make sure that the judge and/or jury see your side of the story, and you're properly represented against the accusations.
Understanding Violent Crimes in California: Felony vs. Misdemeanor Charges
Violent crimes in California encompass a wide range of offenses, from simple assault to more severe acts like armed robbery or kidnapping. When you've been accused of a violent crime in Pasadena, CA, the state needs to prove components like your culpability 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. Victim testimony plays a key role, but cross-examination can reveal inconsistencies or false accusations.
As an example of the variety of case types, 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), while battery (Penal Code 242) requires actual physical contact. Each of these can be misdemeanors or felonies, depending on severity. Outcomes vary a lot depending on the specific charges and past history of the alleged offender. First-time offenders facing misdemeanor charges are more likely to avoid prison, but aggravating factors like a weapon could mean jail time. 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 Pasadena, CA, Violent Crime Accusations 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. 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." Most people aren't aware that to be charged with assault, there only has to be an attempt at causing harm, even if you don't actually cause harm.
Simple assault charges are usually a misdemeanor, however 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. Another similar one is assault with a deadly weapon: Attempts to harm while using a weapon other than a gun. 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 occurs when harm is actually done, rather than simply being attempted. After a fight, Pasadena, CA prosecutors are often prone to issue both assault and battery charges to defendants. Meanwhile, 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.
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. Due to the difference in individual laws, it's important to hire a violent crimes lawyer who knows not only how to defend against individual charges, but also the combinations of them.
Our violent crime defense attorneys can also help you fight the following charges in Pasadena, 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 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: Terrorist threats are another form of criminal threats – 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: Mayhem is like a more advanced version of battery, though in this case, a permanent disfigurement or disability must have been caused.
- 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 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 Pasadena, CA. California firearm offenses cover a large swath of statutes, sometimes even just being the result of unlawful possession.
Commonly, 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 any Pasadena, CA, firearm 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.
On the other hand, discharging a firearm can greatly increase the punishment you're facing. Especially for allegations 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 Pasadena, 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
Violent crime charges are bad enough on their own. But if family is involved, they get even scarier. Domestic violence isn't just 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. 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.
Domestic violence charges aren't the only ones that are defined by the alleged victim. Child abuse involves the direct, intentional cause of harm to a child, meanwhile child endangerment includes either negligently or purposefully putting a child in danger. These charges are often filed together, raising their gravity.
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
Some violent crime accusations are just that – the Pasadena, CA, prosecutor alleges that you committed an action that broke the law. But you could also be up against elevated charges and/or sentencing enhancement if your case meets certain criteria.
One way we frequently see penalties increased is through gang enhancements. When an alleged offender has a past history of supposed gang activity, and this new charge was in some way related to a gang, prison sentences can drastically increase, though exactly how much depends on the alleged crime. Conspiracy charges are closely related. You can be convicted of conspiracy if you collaborate with another person to commit a crime, and either one of you takes action towards committing that crime.
You could also see increased penalties if you're being charged with a hate crime. Hate crime charges can be their own case, but, they are frequently used as enhancements to other crimes. The district attorney in Pasadena, CA is likely to apply a hate crime label if the alleged offender committed the crime as an attack against a specific protected group.
Additionally, our Pasadena, 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, if you are convicted of a new felony, the sentence will be doubled, and you will have a harder time securing early release. If a conviction would be your third strike, the sentence could be increased to 25-years-to-life in prison, with additional limitations on early release.
Procedural and Governance Charges Defense Lawyers
When you get into an altercation with the police in Pasadena, CA, you can expect to face extra harsh violent crime charges. Assault on a police officer is more heavily penalized than assault against other civilians, 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.
In most cases, if you're accused of a violent crime in Pasadena, CA, you'll be in municipal court against a local prosecuting attorney. Sometimes, though, a federal prosecutor may fight against you. When you're up against the federal government, you need a powerful legal team on your side. The Law Offices of David S. Chesley, Inc., is prepared to defend you against federal crimes as well as state charges.
Additional Miscellaneous Violent Crime Defense Services We Offer
- Aggravated Battery
- Assault With Force Likely to Produce Great Bodily Injury
- Battery On a Spouse or Cohabitant or Dating Partner
- Contempt for Violating a Domestic Violence Court Order
- Corporal Injury on a Spouse or Cohabitant
- Dissuading a Witness or Victim/Witness Intimidation
- Expungement/Record Clearance After Violent Crime Conviction
Violent Robberies and Related Offenses: Armed Robbery, Carjacking, and Burglary
A robbery defense attorney is essential if you're facing charges like carjacking (PC 215). Carjacking goes beyond grand theft: While grand theft auto involves the taking of a vehicle without its owner's permission, it doesn't necessarily include any interaction with the owners themselves. Carjacking, on the other hand, does involve a forceful interaction with the owner. Because of this, it carries a harsher penalty because of its violent nature, up to 9 years in prison.
Because of the importance of witness testimony, it's important to work with a leading violent crimes defense lawyer to build your defense. We can present your side of the story, challenge the prosecution's witnesses, and show an alternative interpretation of the events. If you're on parole or have any convictions on your record, you could face sentencing enhancements if convicted. Particularly for violent robberys, you're more likely to be given a restraining order against he alleged victim.
Top 3 Violent Crimes Defense Lawyer Qualities
Violent crimes charges require top-tier defense attorneys. When you're picking an attorney to defend you in Pasadena, CA, 'good enough' isn't good enough. You want a legal team with the below 3 qualities:
- Prior 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.
- Relationships in Your Area's Court: We're ready for your case in Pasadena, 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 properties.
Defending Against California's Three Strikes Law in Pasadena
California's Three Strikes Law (Penal Code 667) is important to keep in mind for violent crimes charges in Pasadena, CA. This law can be devastating for repeat offenders, who face a sentence of 25 years to life after a third serious or violent felony conviction. If you have any prior strikes on your record, it's critical to work with a leading criminal defense attorney to protect your freedom.
At the Law Offices of David S. Chesley, we know what it takes to defend Three Strikes cases. Violent crimes like carjacking, assault, battery, and firearm offenses are all common sources of strikes. Repeat convictions lead to increased sentences, up to life in prison.
Pasadena, CA, Three Strikes Law Defense Strategies:
- 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.
- Resentencing Petitions: Due to updated laws, people with prior Three Strikes convictions can petition to have their sentence reduced. If your third strike was non-violent, we petition for a reduction, potentially cutting life sentences to time served.
- Avoiding New Strikes: Even better than having prior strikes removed, we'll fight to prevent you getting one in the first place. This often comes from skillful plea negotiation. Lack of intent defenses prevent strike enhancements.
- Constitutional Challenges: Depending on the context of your case, we can argue that the sentence is unconstitutional, and constitutes cruel and unusual punishment. False accusations in priors can be exposed via new evidence.
- Impact on Parole and Your Future: 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.
A Pasadena, CA, client with two priors faced a third strike for assault on a peace officer. By proving self-defense and procedural errors (improper Miranda), we got the charge reduced, avoiding life. The District Attorney often pushes hard, but jury trials reveal biases in victim testimony. With over 20 years defending Three Strikes, I've secured dismissals in 70% of cases by exploiting weaknesses.
There is much debate in Pasadena, CA over whether California's Three Strikes law is just or not. Whatever the future holds, in the present, you need a leading three strikes defense attorney. We're ready for your case. Call now to start building your defense.
Tenatious Defenses Against Violent Crime Charges – Call Our Attorneys Today
Violent crimes charges are tough to fight on your own. The court system is complicated. The Pasadena, CA, district attorney is frightening. And the punishments are severe. 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 wait and watch the prosecution make its case against you. We don't accept a poor plea deal, just because it was easier to get. We confront the charges. We make a defense with you at the center, and fight for your rights from day one until the case is concluded.
Contact us now to start putting together your defense. Call us at (800) 755-5174 or fill out our online contact form to speak with an attorney about how to fight these charges.
We also offer the following legal services in Pasadena, CA:
