Violent Crimes Lawyer San Bernardino, CA. Fighting violent crimes charges is critical to your future. They risk destroying your reputation, ruining your career, and possibly worst of all, a long time in jail or prison. But you can fight to protect yourself. And when you hire the Law Offices of David S. Chesley, Inc., you have someone protecting 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 experienced San Bernardino, CA, violent crimes defense lawyers will examine your case, be honest with our recommendations, and develop defense tactics that will be effective for your situation. We view your case, and you as a person, as unique and deserving of individual attention. If you're ready to craft your defense, speak with one of our representatives (800) 755-5174 or fill out our contact form now for a no-obligation, confidential consultation to discuss your case.
How the Law Offices of David S. Chesley's Lawyers Defend You Against Violent Crimes Allegations
Our team of San Bernardino, CA, criminal defense lawyers are aware of how complex violent crimes allegations are, and we design our defensive strategy around the specifics of your situation. Here's how we'll do that for your case:
- 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 Law and Your Case – We'll look into the charges and San Bernardino, CA, violent crime law specifics, to ensure that we're well prepared to build a strong defensive strategy.
- Put Together a Defense Strategy – Our team will recommend a defensive strategy such as defense of others, mistaken identity, or procedural error.
- Plea Bargain With the State – When speaking with the prosecutors, we will stand strong and demand the justice you deserve.
- 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 San Bernardino, CA, Violent Crime Accusations We Defend
Assault, Threats, and Interpersonal Harm Defense Lawyers
Assault is one of the most commont types of violent crimes in California. 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 don't realize that to be charged with assault, there only has to be an attempt at causing harm, not necessarily actually cause harm.
Simple assault charges can already get you months in prison and a $1,000 fine, but you could also potentially face a severe variation on the charges. 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 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 is a step past assault, and allegations include actual harm being caused, instead of only being attempted. You'll find that in many cases, if you're accused of battery in San Bernardino, CA, you'll also be accused of assault. On the flip side, 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.
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 difference in each of the laws, it's paramount to have a violent crimes lawyer who can protect you from any of the possible charges.
Here are some other related violent crimes charges our attorneys defend in San Bernardino, CA,:
- False Imprisonment: This is defined as an incident when an individual detaining another without just cause, for example, locking another person in a room.
- Kidnapping: Kidnapping is different from false imprisonment because it involves forcibly moving a person from one location to another.
- Human Trafficking: Human Trafficking is similar to kidnapping or false imprisonment, but 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 can expect there to be links to hate crimes in these cases.
- Torture: Torture is a specific, grevious category of attack done for reasons such as revenge or extortion.
- Mayhem: If a fight resulted in the permanent scarring of another person, the aggressor can be charged with mayhem.
- Arson: Whether or not you burned something on purpose is the key difference between arson charges and reckless burning.
- Rioting: Rioting charges can be split into inciting the riot or participating in it, but both are usually charged as misdemeanors.
Firearm Mishandling Defense Lawyers
The right to bear arms comes with many restrictions and responsibilities in San Bernardino, CA. California firearm offenses cover a large swath of statutes, and you don't even have to fire the gun to get in trouble. You can be arrested simply for unlawful possession.
Most commonly, these charges are related to a felon in possession of a firearm, but they could also be the result of carrying a concealed firearm when you don't have a permit or a felon possessing ammunition.
While all San Bernardino, CA, gun 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.
On the other hand, discharging a firearm will almost always be a more serious charge. Particularly in cases such as a drive-by shooting or shooting at an inhabited dwelling, the penalties are very harsh.
An experienced San Bernardino, 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. But if family is involved, they get even scarier. Domestic violence isn't just battery on your spouse; it includes injuries of all kinds, threats of abuse, and even just placing someone in fear of harm. 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 charges are saved for when someone alleged hurt a child on purpose, meanwhile child endangerment includes either negligently or purposefully putting a child in danger. These charges can be filed together, heightening 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 San Bernardino, CA, prosecutor alleges that you committed an action that broke the law. However, you might also face increased charges and/or sentencing enhancement if certain circumstances apply.
In many cases, the punishments can be heightened via gang enhancements. If a crime was committed in the furtherance of gang activities, 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 somebody else to break the law, 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. Sometimes, a hate crime accusation is its own charge. However, they are often used as enhancements to other charges. The district attorney in San Bernardino, 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 San Bernardino, CA, violent crimes attorneys can help defend 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 won't be eligible for parole until you've served 80% of the sentence. When convicted and given a third strike, you are facing 25-years-to-life in prison, with additional contstraints on parole.
Procedural and Governance Charges Defense Lawyers
San Bernardino, 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 can range from physical attacks to simply being uncooperative. Obstructing a police officer is a similar 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 San Bernardino, CA, you'll be in municipal court against a local prosecuting attorney. But for more serious cases, 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 ready to represent you against federal crimes as well as state charges.
Top 3 Violent Crimes Defense Lawyer Qualities
Violent crimes charges need high-quality defense lawyers. When you're deciding on a lawyer to protect you in San Bernardino, CA, it's important to hire someone 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 defense results.
- Expansive Legal Experience: The Law Offices of David S. Chesley, Inc., has over 50 years of combined courtroom 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.
- Relationships in Your Area's Court: We're ready for your case in San Bernardino, CA. We are familiar with local prosecutors and judges, and will use them to your advantage.
With a legal team with these qualifications defending you from violent crimes allegations, you'll get the best chance of a positive outcome. And with the Law Offices of David S. Chesley, Inc., you'll get someone with all those properties.
Ferocious Defenses Against Violent Crime Charges – Call Our Lawyers Now
Violent crimes charges are tough to fight on your own. The statutes are complex. The San Bernardino, CA, district attorney is strong. And the punishments are brutal. If you're lacking an expert violent crimes lawyer to defend you, 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 settle for a bad plea deal, just because it was faster. 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 over.
Contact us now to begin building your defense. Connect with us at (800) 755-5174 or fill out our online contact form to speak with a lawyer about how to fight these charges.
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