Violent Crimes Lawyer Santa Clarita, CA. When you're up against violent crimes charges, it can feel like the whole world is against you. They risk destroying your reputation, devastating your career, and possibly 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'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 Clarita, CA, violent crimes defense lawyers will investigate your case, be honest with our recommendations, and find defensive strategies that can be used for your situation. You deserve a defense tailored to you, and we can provide that. If you need to construct your defense, speak with one of our representatives (800) 755-5174 or tell us about your case online today for a free, private consultation to discuss your case.
The Law Offices of David S. Chesley's Process to Defend You Against Violent Crimes Allegations
Our team of Santa Clarita, CA, criminal defense lawyers are aware of how complex violent crimes allegations are, and we give each of our clients' cases a tailored defense. It all starts with the following steps:
- Learn About Your Story – We believe that you should be at the center of your defense. You can be honest with us about everything, and we'll start with your perspective.
- Research the Law and Your Case – We'll research the charges and Santa Clarita, CA, violent crime law specifics, to see if there are any special circumstances which apply to you.
- Put Together a Defense Strategy – We'll recommend a defensive strategy such as self-defense, mistaken identity, or false allegations.
- Plea Bargain With the State – Any time we communicate with the Santa Clarita prosecution about your case, we will stand strong to find a deal that works for you.
- Fight At Trial – If there is a trial, we'll present our matchless defense in court and show the judge and/or jury your side of the story.
Major Santa Clarita, CA, Violent Crime Accusations We Defend
Assault, Threats, and Interpersonal Harm Defense Lawyers
When you ask someone to name an example of a violent crime, there's a good chance they'll mention assault. While you might be picturing cuts and bruises, California law actually describes assault as an attempt to inflict "a violent injury on someone else." A lot of people don't realize 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 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 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. Another similar one is assault with a deadly weapon: Assault using a non-firearm weapon. These variations aren't official charges, but rather subcategories for more serious assault charges
Now that we've covered assault, let's discuss battery. Battery is similar to assault because both involve attempted harm. However, in battery's case, the harm was successful, instead of simply being attempted. In Santa Clarita, CA, it's common to be charged with both at the same time after an altercation. 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 similar charges. Because of the difference in specific statutes, it's paramount to hire a violent crimes lawyer who knows how to defend each of the charges.
Our lawyers also defend the following violent crimes charges in Santa Clarita, CA,:
- False Imprisonment: False imprisonment occcurs when one person wrongfully restrains or confines another, 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 particular, extra heinous purposes such as forced labor or sex.
- Stalking: To be guilty of stalking in California, you have to both follow a person without their consent, and make a believable 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: 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 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 Santa Clarita, CA. California firearm offenses can result from any number of statute violations, and you can get in trouble for something as simple as unlawful possession.
Frequently, these charges are related to a felon in possession of a firearm, but you could also face them for having a concealed firearm without a permit or a felon possessing ammunition.
While any Santa Clarita, CA, firearm charges are perilous, one thing that can make a big difference is how you supposedly used the gun. 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 contrary, discharging a firearm will almost always be a more serious charge. Particularly for allegations such as a drive-by shooting or shooting at an inhabited dwelling, the penalties are very harsh.
An excellent Santa Clarita, 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
The stakes are high for all kinds of violent crime allegations. 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 making someone think that they could be injured. 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.
If the alleged victim was a child, that can also affect which charges are filed. Child abuse involves the direct, intentional cause of harm to a child, while child endangerment includes either negligently or purposefully putting a child in danger. These charges are often filed together, increasing their seriousness.
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, should your child be the accused, juvenile crime charges.
Sentencing Enhancement Defense Lawyers
Some violent crime accusations are just that – the Santa Clarita, CA, prosecutor alleges that you committed an action that broke the law. But you might also need to fight elevated charges and/or sentencing enhancement for special circumstances.
One of the most common examples is 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 dangerous because you can face penalties without having personally done something actively wrong. You can be convicted of conspiracy if you make a plan 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. While hate crimes can be standalone offenses, they are frequently used as enhancements to other crimes. The district attorney in Santa Clarita, 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.
Furthermore, our Santa Clarita, 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 won't be eligible for parole until you've served 80% of the sentence. If a conviction would be your third strike, you are facing 25-years-to-life in prison, with further restraints on parole.
Procedural and Governance Charges Defense Lawyers
Santa Clarita, 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 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.
These charges, as well as all the charges listed above, are most often handled by the Santa Clarita, 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 prepared 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 deciding on a lawyer to defend you in Santa Clarita, CA, 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 case results.
- Varied Legal Experience: We have over 50 years of combined law experience, including time as prosecutors, judges, and police officers. We have experience in the ways the state tries to get violent crimes convictions, and how to fight for a positive outcome.
- Local Relationships: We're ready for your case in Santa Clarita, CA. We have relationships with local prosecutors and judges, and will lean on them to secure a favorable outcome.
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 those qualities.
Staunch Protection Against Violent Crime Charges – Call Our Legal Team Today
You need help when you're fighting against violent crimes allegations. The statutes are complicated. The Santa Clarita, CA, district attorney is frightening. And the sentences are oppressive. If you're lacking an expert violent crimes lawyer at your side, your freedom and constitutional rights are at risk.
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 accept a poor plea deal, just because it was the first one offered. We fight. We listen to your story, craft a resolute defense, and protect your rights from day one until the case is over.
Contact us now to begin building 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 Santa Clarita, CA:
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