Violent Crimes Lawyer Redondo Beach, 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 trip to jail or prison. 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 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 experienced Redondo Beach, CA, violent crimes defense lawyers will research your case, be honest with our recommendations, and find defense strategies that will be effective for your charges. You deserve a defense tailored to you, and we can provide that. If you're ready to construct your defense, call us at (800) 755-5174 or send us a note online today for a free, private consultation.
The Law Offices of David S. Chesley's Process to Defend You Against Violent Crimes Accusations
Our team of Redondo Beach, CA, criminal defense lawyers are aware of how complex violent crimes allegations are, and we give each of our clients' cases a tailored defense. This is how we do it:
- Learn Your Story – When we build a defense, it all starts with you. We want to hear your side of the story.
- Research the Law and Your Case – We'll research the specifics of the charges and Redondo Beach, CA, violent crime law specificsIf there are any quirks that are applicable to your case, we'll find them.
- Build a Defense Strategy – We'll recommend a defensive strategy such as defense of others, lack of intent, or false allegations.
- Negotiatiate 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 Redondo Beach, CA, Violent Crime Charges 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 someone else." A lot of people don't realize 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, the line can be fuzzy between simple assault and some of it's more serious versions. Aggravated assault is just that: assault with intent to cause serious bodily injury. Another similar one is assault with a deadly weapon: Assault using a non-firearm weapon. These variations don't actually have statutes of their own, and instead are nicknames used to describe specific assault cases
As discussed above, assault only requires an attempt to cause harm. Battery is similar to assault because both involve attempted harm. However, in battery's case, the harm was successful, rather than just being attempted. You'll find that in many cases, if you're accused of battery in Redondo Beach, CA, you'll also be accused of assault. Meanwhile, criminal threats charges can result even from a nonviolent altercation. All you have to do is intimidate someone. Regardless of whether you wanted to (or even could) follow through on the threats, you can be found guilty.
Another important set of charges we commonly defend against in this category is reckless endangerment charges. This can include reckless driving, child endangerment, and similar charges. Due to the variation in each of the laws, it's critical to work with a violent crimes lawyer who knows how to defend each of the charges.
Our lawyers also defend the following violent crimes charges in Redondo Beach, 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: 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 particular, extra grim reasons like forced labor or sex.
- Stalking: California stalking law requires more than just following another person who doesn't like it – it also requires that the accused make a credible 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 is used for particularly grisly allegations of harm, wherein the action was performed for a sadistic purpose.
- 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 involves the intentional and unlawful burning of property, as opposed to reckless burning, which is an unintentional version of the same things.
- Rioting: Rioting involves multiple people acting together to cause and/or threaten violence while disturbing the peace.
Firearm Mishandling Defense Lawyers
The right to bear arms comes with many restrictions and responsibilities in Redondo Beach, 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.
Often, unlawful possession charges are related to a felon in possession of a firearm, but you could also face them for possessing a concealed firearm when you don't have a permit or a felon possessing ammunition.
While any Redondo Beach, CA, gun charges are important to take seriously, 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 will frequently get you harsher sentences. Especially for cases such as a drive-by shooting or shooting at an inhabited dwelling, the penalties are very harsh.
An expert Redondo Beach, 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
Violent crime charges are bad enough on their own. Domestic accusations, though, are especially hard to fight. Domestic violence goes beyond battery on your spouse; it includes any actual harm caused, 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.
Domestic violence charges aren't the only ones that are defined by the alleged victim. Child abuse charges are saved for when someone alleged hurt a child on purpose, while child endangerment includes either negligently or purposefully putting a child in danger. These charges are often filed together, raising their seriousness.
Our household 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, should your child be the accused, juvenile crime charges.
Sentencing Enhancement Defense Lawyers
If you're facing violent crime charges in Redondo Beach, CA, there's a good chance that they're one of the ones above. That said, you could also face heightened charges and/or sentencing enhancement if your case meets certain criteria.
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 found guilty of conspiracy if you agree with somebody else to break the law, and either one of you takes action towards committing that 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, they are often used as enhancements to other charges. The prosecution in Redondo Beach, CA may charge another crime as a hate crime if they believe that the alleged offender committed the crime as an attack against a specific protected group.
Finally, our Redondo Beach, CA, violent crimes attorneys can help defend you from 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 won't be eligible for parole until you've served 80% of the sentence. With two prior strikes, the sentence could be increased to 25-years-to-life in prison, with further restraints on early release.
Procedural and Governance Charges Defense Lawyers
Redondo Beach, CA, violent crime charges can be particularly damaging if they were allegedly committed against law enforcement. 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 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.
For the majority of violent crime charges, you'll be up against the local Redondo Beach, CA prosecution. On some occasions, when the accusations are especially severe, 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 proud to represent you against federal crimes in addition to state charges.
Top 3 Violent Crimes Defense Lawyer Qualities
Violent crimes charges need high-quality defense lawyers. When you're picking a lawyer to defend your rights in Redondo Beach, CA, you want a firm with the below 3 qualities:
- 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 case results.
- Diverse Legal Experience: We have over 50 years of combined legal experience, including time as prosecutors, judges, and police officers. We have experience in how the state prosecutes these cases, and how to fight against them.
- Local Relationships: We're ready for your case in Redondo Beach, 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.
Tenatious Protection Against Violent Crime Charges – Call Us Now
Violent crimes charges are tough to fight on your own. The statutes are complicated. The Redondo Beach, CA, district attorney is intimidating. And the sentences are tough. Without an expert violent crimes lawyer to defend you, your innocence and constitutional rights are at risk.
At the Law Offices of David S. Chesley, Inc., we don't take a passive approach to your defense. We don't settle for a bad plea deal, just because it was faster. We battle the state. We start every case by listening to our client, and defend your rights from the day you call until the case is done.
Contact us now to begin putting together your defense. Connect with 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 Redondo Beach, CA:
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