Violent Crimes Lawyer San Gabriel, CA. We know how overwhelming it can be to be facing violent crime accusations. They risk harming your reputation, hurting your career, and perhaps worst yet, a trip to jail or prison. But all hope is not lost. And when you work with the Law Offices of David S. Chesley, Inc., you have someone protecting you from these 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 San Gabriel, CA, violent crimes defense lawyers will investigate your case, be honest with our recommendations, and come up with defense tactics that should be effective for your charges. We know that every case is unique and treat every client with respect. If you need to craft your defense, call us at (800) 755-5174 or send us a note online today for a free, confidential consultation.
How the Law Offices of David S. Chesley's Lawyers Defend You Against Violent Crimes Accusations
Our team of San Gabriel, CA, criminal defense lawyers know how different each violent crimes accusation can be, and we build a defense that's suited to your specific case. It all starts with the following steps:
- Learn Your Story – Every case starts with our client. We want to hear your side of the story.
- Research the Statutes and Your Case – We'll look into the charges and San Gabriel, CA, violent crime law specifics, to ensure that we're well prepared to build a strong defensive strategy.
- Put Together a Defense Strategy – We'll recommend a defensive strategy such as defense, consent, or procedural error.
- Negotiatiate With the State – When speaking with the prosecutors, we will stand strong and demand the justice you deserve.
- Fight At Trial – Should your case go to trial, we'll stick with you from start to finish, fighting for a positive outcome.
Major San Gabriel, CA, Violent Crime Accusations 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 somebody." A lot of people aren't aware that to be charged with assault, one only has to attempt to cause harm, regardless of whether or not you actually cause harm.
Simple assault charges are usually a misdemeanor, however there are several more serious variations of them. Aggravated assault charge types in particular are very similar to assault: they normally requires that the alleged offender was trying to cause 'serious' harm rather than general harm. Closely related is assault with a deadly weapon: Assault using a weapon other than a gun. These variations aren't official charges, but rather subcategories for more serious assault charges
As discussed above, assault only requires an attempt to cause harm. Battery occurs when harm is actually done, rather than only being attempted. In San Gabriel, 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 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 similar charges. Due to the variation in specific laws, it's paramount to work with a violent crimes lawyer who knows how to defend each of the charges.
If you're facing other violent crimes charges, we can help: Here are some other interpersonal harm charges we defend in San Gabriel, 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: As opposed to the above allegations, human trafficking is done for particular, extra bad purposes such as 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: Sometimes, criminal threats charges might be referred to as terrorist threats, if they are especially bad – watch out for linked hate crime accusations in these cases.
- Torture: Torture goes beyond battery and includes serious injuries, done to make the alleged victim suffer.
- Mayhem: If a fight resulted in the permanent scarring of another person, the aggressor can be charged with mayhem.
- 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 San Gabriel, 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.
Commonly, these charges are related to a felon in possession of a firearm, but you could also face them for having a concealed firearm when you don't have a permit or a felon possessing ammunition.
While any San Gabriel, CA, gun charges are major, the way the firearm was (and wasn't) allegedly used can make a big difference. Brandishing a weapon is when one person shows another a gun (or other weapon) to intimidate them, not necessarily firing it. This is often prosecuted as a misdemeanor instead of a felony.
On the contrary, discharging a firearm can greatly increase the punishment you're facing. Particularly for allegations such as a drive-by shooting or shooting at an inhabited dwelling, the penalties are very harsh.
A high-quality San Gabriel, 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 intentional or unintentional harm, threats of abuse, 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), meanwhile child endangerment includes either negligently or purposefully putting a child in danger. These charges can be filed together, heightening 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, should your child be the accused, juvenile crime charges.
Sentencing Enhancement Defense Lawyers
The majority of San Gabriel, CA, violent crime cases are rooted in some alleged act of violence. That said, you might also be up against elevated charges and/or sentencing enhancement if certain circumstances apply.
One of the most common examples is gang enhancements. If a different crime was committed as a part of gang activities, anywhere from 4 years to life can be added onto the sentence, depending on the alleged crime. Conspiracy charges are another group-related charge. You could be found guilty of conspiracy if you collaborate with somebody else to commit a crime, 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. Hate crime charges can be their own case, but, they are frequently used as enhancements to other charges. The district attorney in San Gabriel, CA may charge another crime as a hate crime if they think that the alleged offender committed the crime as an attack against a specific protected group.
Finally, our San Gabriel, CA, violent crimes attorneys can help guard you from 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 to wait significantly longer before earning eligibility for parole. With two prior strikes, the sentence could be increased to 25-years-to-life in prison, with further limitations on parole.
Procedural and Governance Charges Defense Lawyers
If the alleged violent crime was committed against a law enforcement officer in San Gabriel, CA, the allegations can be even more severe. 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 this aren't contingent on you being arrested, and apply more broadly to anything you do to prevent a police officer from doing they job.
For the majority of violent crime charges, you'll be up against the local San Gabriel, CA prosecution. Sometimes, though, 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 equipped to defend 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 fight your case in San Gabriel, CA, 'good enough' isn't good enough. You want a firm 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 has a history of successful violent crime defense results.
- Varied 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 builds its case against you, and how to poke holes in it.
- Relationships in Your Area's Court: Our team of attorneys cover cases across the state, including in San Gabriel, CA. We have relationships 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 Attorneys Today
You need help when you're fighting against violent crimes allegations. The legal system is complex. The San Gabriel, CA, prosecutor is strong. And the penalties are steep. If you're lacking an expert violent crimes lawyer at your side, your liberty 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 settle for a bad plea deal, just because it was faster. We confront the charges. We listen to your story, craft a resolute defense, and defend your rights from when we first speak until the case is done.
Reach out to us now to start putting together your defense. Connect with us at (800) 755-5174 or tell us about your case via our online contact form to speak with an attorney about how to fight these charges.
We also offer the following legal services in San Gabriel, CA:
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