Violent Crimes Lawyer Sherman Oaks, CA. Any criminal accusations are serious, but few are as serious as violent crimes. They risk harming your reputation, devastating your career, and worst yet, a trip to jail or prison. But accusations are not the same as convictions. And when you hire the Law Offices of David S. Chesley, Inc., you are hiring a team that knows how to safeguard 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 Sherman Oaks, CA, violent crimes defense lawyers will examine your case, give you upfront, straightforward answers, and come up with defense strategies that can be used for your situation. We view your case, and you as a person, as unique and deserving of individual attention. If you're ready to build your defense, call us at (800) 755-5174 or fill out our contact form today for a free, confidential consultation.
How the Law Offices of David S. Chesley's Lawyers Defend You Against Violent Crimes Allegations
Our team of Sherman Oaks, CA, criminal defense lawyers know how different each violent crimes accusation can be, and we give each of our clients' cases a tailored defense. Here's how we'll do that for your case:
- Listen to Your Story – We believe that you should be at the center of your defense. We want to hear your side of the story.
- Research the Statutes and Your Case – We'll investigate the charges and Sherman Oaks, CA, violent crime law specifics, to see if there are any special circumstances which apply to you.
- Build a Defense Strategy – Our team will recommend a defensive strategy such as self-defense, mistaken identity, or procedural error.
- Negotiatiate With the State – Any time we communicate with the Sherman Oaks 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 make sure that the judge and/or jury see your side of the story, and you're properly represented against the accusations.
Major Sherman Oaks, 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. While you might be picturing cuts and bruises, California law actually describes assault as an attempt to inflict "a violent injury on somebody." Most people don't know 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 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 are not actually given their own specific laws in California, but instead are lumped together under the broad umbrella of "assault laws."
You might be asking yourself now, "What's the difference between assault and battery?" Battery is a step past assault, and allegations include actual harm being caused, instead of just being attempted. You'll find that in many cases, if you're accused of battery in Sherman Oaks, 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. You can be found guilty even if you didn't have the ability to carry out the threats.
Reckless endangerment charges are another set of charges that are typical in Sherman Oaks, CA. This can include reckless driving, child endangerment, and similar charges. Due to the variation in each of the statutes, it's critical to find a violent crimes lawyer who knows how to defend each of the charges.
The Law Offices of David S. Chesley, Inc., also defends against the below violent crimes charges in Sherman Oaks, CA,:
- False Imprisonment: This occurs when one person confines another to a space against their will, and while it might seem like a stretch, it could be as little as grabbing someone's arm (if they are attempting to leave).
- Kidnapping: Kidnapping consists of taking a person from one location to another against their will.
- Human Trafficking: As opposed to the above allegations, human trafficking is done for particular, extra bad purposes like forced labor or sex.
- Stalking: California defines stalking as repeatedly following or harassing another person, and making a related credible threat.
- Terrorist Threats: Sometimes, criminal threats charges might be referred to as terrorist threats, if they are especially bad – you can expect there to be links to hate crimes in these cases.
- Torture: Torture goes beyond battery and includes serious injuries, done to make the alleged victim suffer.
- Mayhem: Mayhem is like a more advanced version of battery, though in this case, a permanent disfigurement or disability must have been caused.
- Arson: Whether or not you burned something on purpose is the key difference between arson charges and reckless burning.
- 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
The right to bear arms comes with many restrictions and responsibilities in Sherman Oaks, 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.
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 any Sherman Oaks, CA, firearm charges are serious, the way the firearm was (and wasn't) allegedly used can make a big difference. Brandishing a weapon normally does not include use of the weapon beyond showing it with the intent to scare another person. This is often prosecuted as a misdemeanor instead of a felony.
On the contrary, discharging a firearm will almost always be a more serious charge. Particularly in incidents such as a drive-by shooting or shooting at an inhabited dwelling, you can be looking at years in prison and/or thousands of dollars in fines.
An experienced Sherman Oaks, 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. But if family is involved, they get even scarier. Domestic violence goes beyond 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.
If the alleged victim was a child, that can also affect which charges are filed. 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 are often filed together, raising their gravity.
Our expert 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, if an adolescent or child is the alleged offender, juvenile crime charges.
Sentencing Enhancement Defense Lawyers
The majority of Sherman Oaks, CA, violent crime cases are rooted in some alleged act of violence. But you can also face heightened charges and/or sentencing enhancement for special circumstances.
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 closely related. You can be convicted of conspiracy if you make a plan with another person to commit a crime, and either one of you does something overt to advance the plan.
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, it's common for them to be used as enhancements to other charges. The district attorney in Sherman Oaks, CA may charge another crime as a hate crime if they think that the alleged offender's motivation was related to race, religion, sexuality, or another protected characteristic.
Additionally, our Sherman Oaks, 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, sentences for felony convictions are doubled, and you will have to wait significantly longer before earning eligibility for parole. When convicted and given a third strike, the penalty could be 25-years-to-life in prison, with further contstraints on early release.
Procedural and Governance Charges Defense Lawyers
If the alleged violent crime was committed against a law enforcement officer in Sherman Oaks, 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 category 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 Sherman Oaks, CA prosecution. On some occasions, when the accusations are especially severe, 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 prepared to be your defense attorney for federal crimes in addition to state charges.
Top 3 Violent Crimes Defense Lawyer Qualities
You don't want to go into a violent crimes case without the right lawyer. When you're picking an attorney to fight your case in Sherman Oaks, CA, 'good enough' isn't good enough. You want a firm with the below 3 qualities:
- Prior Success: You want a lawyer who knows how to fight your specific charge. Our team is know for our successful violent crime defense results.
- Varied Legal Experience: Our team has over 50 years of combined courtroom experience, including time as prosecutors, judges, and police officers. We have experience in how the state tries to get violent crimes convictions, and how to fight for a positive outcome.
- Local Relationships: Our team of attorneys cover cases across the state, including in Sherman Oaks, CA. We have relationships with local prosecutors and judges, and will leverage our relationships in your negotiations.
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 characteristics.
Staunch Defenses Against Violent Crime Charges – Call Our Firm Now
You need help when you're fighting against violent crimes allegations. The statutes are complex. The Sherman Oaks, CA, prosecutor is strong. And the sentences are steep. If you're lacking an expert violent crimes lawyer to defend you, 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 accept a poor plea deal, just because it was faster. We fight. We start every case by listening to our client, and protect your freedom from the day you call until the case is over.
Contact us now to start building your defense. Call (800) 755-5174 or fill out our online contact form to speak with amember of our legal team about how to defend you.
We also offer the following legal services in Sherman Oaks, CA:
Payment Plans
