Violent Crimes Lawyer Santa Barbara, CA. When you're up against violent crimes charges, it can feel like the whole world is against you. They risk harming your reputation, hurting your career, and possibly worst of all, a lengthy prison sentence. But you have a chance at a more positive outcome. And when you work with the Law Offices of David S. Chesley, Inc., you're getting expert legal representation to protect you from these legal and personal 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 Santa Barbara, CA, violent crimes defense lawyers will research your case, give you upfront, straightforward answers, and develop defense tactics that should be effective for your case. 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 fill out our contact form today for a no-obligation, private consultation to discuss your case.
How the Law Offices of David S. Chesley's Lawyers Defend You Against Violent Crimes Allegations
Our team of Santa Barbara, CA, criminal defense lawyers know that every violent crime case is unique, 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 investigate the charges and Santa Barbara, CA, violent crime law specifics, to ensure that we're well prepared to build a strong defensive strategy.
- Build a Defense Strategy – Our team will recommend a defensive strategy such as defense, consent, or procedural error.
- Negotiatiate 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 present our matchless defense in court and show the judge and/or jury your side of the story.
Major Santa Barbara, CA, Violent Crime Categories 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. While you might be picturing cuts and bruises, California law actually describes assault as an attempt to inflict "a violent injury on the person of another." Most people are unaware that to be guilty of 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 there are several more serious variations of them. Aggravated assault is just that: assault with intent to cause serious bodily injury. Another similar one is assault with a deadly weapon: Committing assault 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 is similar to assault because both involve attempted harm. However, in battery's case, the harm was successful, rather than simply being attempted. You'll find that in many cases, if you're accused of battery in Santa Barbara, CA, you'll also be accused of assault. On the flip side, 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.
Reckless endangerment charges are another set of charges that are typical in Santa Barbara, CA. This can include reckless driving, child endangerment, and similar charges. Due to the variation in each of the laws, it's paramount to have a violent crimes lawyer who can protect you from any of the possible charges.
Our lawyers also defend the following violent crimes charges in Santa Barbara, 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: 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 specific, extra heinous reasons 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 – 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: What was once a battery charge can be elevated to mayhem if certain circumstances apply, such as the severing of someone's limb.
- Arson: Whether or not you burned something on purpose is the key difference between arson charges and reckless burning.
- Rioting: Rioting involves multiple people acting together to cause and/or threaten violence while disturbing the peace.
Firearm Mishandling Defense Lawyers
Due to state law, you're not able to just do whatever you please with a gun in Santa Barbara, CA. California firearm offenses vary widely in nature and scope, and you can get in trouble for something as simple as unlawful possession.
Often, unlawful possession 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 all Santa Barbara, CA, gun charges are perilous, a major differentiator is whether you allegedly used the weapon or not. Brandishing a weapon does not typically involve firing the gun, but instead using it to make a threat. 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. Especially for allegations such as a drive-by shooting or shooting at an inhabited dwelling, the penalties are very harsh.
An experienced Santa Barbara, 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 any actual harm caused, threats of harm, 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 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, expanding their gravity.
Our household 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
The majority of Santa Barbara, CA, violent crime cases are rooted in some alleged act of violence. However, you could also need to fight increased charges and/or sentencing enhancement if certain circumstances apply.
In many cases, the punishments can be heightened via 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, the sentence you face can be increased by several years. Conspiracy charges are closely related. You can be found guilty of conspiracy if you make a plan with another person to break the law, 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. Sometimes, a hate crime accusation is its own charge. However, they are frequently used as enhancements to other charges. The district attorney in Santa Barbara, CA is likely to apply a hate crime label if they think that the alleged offender's motivation was related to race, religion, sexuality, or another protected characteristic.
Finally, our Santa Barbara, CA, violent crimes attorneys can help defend 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 won't be eligible for parole until you've served 80% of the sentence. With two prior strikes, you are facing 25-years-to-life in prison, with further restrictions on early release.
Procedural and Governance Charges Defense Lawyers
Santa Barbara, CA, violent crime charges can be particularly damaging if they were allegedly committed against law enforcement. Assault on a police officer can result in more prison time than if the assault was against a non-officer, while resisting arrest can range from physical attacks to simply being uncooperative. 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.
These charges, as well as all the charges listed above, are most often handled by the Santa Barbara, CA, local prosecutor. But when the state views a case as extra severe, a federal prosecutor may take over. 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 equipped to defend you against federal crimes as well as state charges.
Top 3 Violent Crimes Defense Lawyer Qualities
Violent crimes charges require top-tier defense attorneys. When you're deciding on a lawyer to protect you in Santa Barbara, CA, 'good enough' isn't good enough. You want a legal team 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 is know for our successful violent crime defense results.
- Diverse Legal Experience: The Law Offices of David S. Chesley, Inc., has over 50 years of combined law 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 Santa Barbara, CA. We know local prosecutors and judges, and will lean on them to secure a favorable outcome.
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.
Tenatious Defenses Against Violent Crime Charges – Call Our Lawyers Today
Violent crimes charges are tough to fight on your own. The laws are convoluted. The Santa Barbara, CA, district attorney is formidable. And the penalties are harsh. If you're lacking an expert violent crimes lawyer at your side, your liberty and constitutional rights are in danger.
At the Law Offices of David S. Chesley, Inc., we don't take a passive approach to your defense. We don't accept a poor plea deal, just because it was faster. We battle the state. We start every case by listening to our client, and protect your rights from day one until the case is over.
Contact us now to start 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.
We also offer the following legal services in Santa Barbara, CA:
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