Violent Crimes Lawyer Simi Valley, CA. When you're up against violent crimes charges, it can feel like the whole world is against you. They risk torpedoing your reputation, setting back your career, and worst yet, a lengthy prison sentence. But you have a chance at a more positive outcome. And when you call the Law Offices of David S. Chesley, Inc., you're getting expert legal representation to protect you from these legal and personal consequences. We defend all of the following violent crime categories (and more):
- Assault, Threats, and Interpersonal Harm
- Firearm Mishandling
- Family and Animal Abuse
- Sentencing Enhancements
- Procedural and Governance Charges
Our experienced Simi Valley, CA, violent crimes defense lawyers will research your case, give you honest advice, and look for defensive tactics that can be used for your case. We know that every case is unique and treat every client with respect. If you need to construct your defense, call (800) 755-5174 or contact us online now for a no-obligation, confidential consultation to discuss your case.
The Law Offices of David S. Chesley's Process to Defend You Against Violent Crimes Charges
Our team of Simi Valley, 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. This is how we do it:
- Listen to Your Story – When we build a defense, it all starts with you. We want to hear from you what really happened and why.
- Research the Statutes and Your Case – We'll look into the charges and Simi Valley, 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 self-defense, lack of intent, 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 – 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 Simi Valley, 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. 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 somebody." Most 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 there are several more serious variations of them. Aggravated assault is just that: assault with intent to cause serious bodily injury. Closely related is assault with a deadly weapon: Assault using a non-firearm weapon. These variations don't actually have statutes of their own, and instead are nicknames used to describe specific assault cases
You might be asking yourself now, "What's the difference between assault and 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. After a fight, Simi Valley, CA prosecutors are often prone to issue both assault and battery charges to defendants. On the flip side, criminal threats charges don't even require an attempt at violence, just an attempt to intimidate someone. Regardless of whether you wanted to (or even could) follow through on the threats, you can be found guilty.
We also commonly defend reckless endangerment charges in Simi Valley, CA. This can include reckless driving, child endangerment, and other charges along those lines. As a result of the variation in individual statutes, you need to find 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 Simi Valley, CA,:
- False Imprisonment: This is defined as an incident when an individual detaining another without just cause, 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 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 specific, extra heinous reasons like 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 – 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: 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 Simi Valley, CA. California firearm offenses vary widely in nature and scope, and you can get in trouble for something as simple as unlawful possession.
Most commonly, possession charges are related to a felon in possession of a firearm, but you could also face them for carrying a concealed firearm when you don't have a permit or a felon possessing ammunition.
While any Simi Valley, CA, gun charges are important to take seriously, 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.
Meanwhile, discharging a firearm can greatly increase the punishment you're facing. Particularly in allegations 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 Simi Valley, 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
No matter what kind of violent crime charge you're facing, it's tough to see a way out. Domestic accusations, though, are especially hard to fight. Domestic violence has a wider definition than battery on your spouse; it includes intentional or unintentional harm, threats of harm, and even just making someone think that they could be injured. The other qualifying factor for 'domestic' violence is who the alleged victim is: for it to qualify, they must be someone with a close relationship to the alleged offender, such as a child, spouse, or cohabitant.
Crimes against children also have their own specific legal categories. Child abuse involves the direct, intentional cause of harm to a child, while child endangerment consists of putting a child at risk of harm, either intentionally or unintentionally. These charges can be filed together, raising 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 Simi Valley, CA, prosecutor alleges that you committed an action that broke the law. That said, you could also be up against increased charges and/or sentencing enhancement should your case fall into certain categories.
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 dangerous because you can face penalties without having personally done something actively wrong. You can be convicted of conspiracy if you agree with somebody else to break the law, and either one of you takes action towards committing that crime.
Another common sentence enhancement is when an alleged action is charged as a hate crime. Sometimes, a hate crime accusation is its own charge. However, you can also see them used as enhancements to other crimes. The prosecutor in Simi Valley, CA is likely to apply a hate crime label if they believe that the alleged offender's motivation was related to race, religion, sexuality, or another protected characteristic.
Finally, our Simi Valley, CA, violent crimes attorneys can help protect you from 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 will have to wait significantly longer before earning eligibility for parole. With two prior strikes, you are facing 25-years-to-life in prison, with further limitations on early release.
Procedural and Governance Charges Defense Lawyers
Simi Valley, 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 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 these ones 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 Simi Valley, CA, local prosecutor. But when the state views a case as extra severe, a federal prosecutor will take charge. You don't want to go to federal court alone. You don't want to face the full force of the United States government without help. The Law Offices of David S. Chesley, Inc., is proud to defend you against federal crimes in addition to state charges.
Top 3 Violent Crimes Defense Lawyer Qualities
Violent crimes charges require top-tier defense attorneys. When you're picking a lawyer to fight your case in Simi Valley, CA, it's important to hire someone 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 case results.
- Varied Legal Experience: We have over 50 years of combined courtroom experience, including time as prosecutors, judges, and police officers. We know 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 Simi Valley, CA. We are familiar with local prosecutors and judges, and will lean on them to secure a favorable outcome.
To maximize your chances of beating violent crimes charges, you need lawyers with all of the above attributes. And with the Law Offices of David S. Chesley, Inc., you'll get those qualities.
Tenatious Defenses Against Violent Crime Charges – Call Our Attorneys Now
Violent crimes charges are tough to fight on your own. The court system is convoluted. The Simi Valley, CA, district attorney is powerful. And the sentences are severe. Without 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 stand idly by and let the state build its case. We don't settle for a bad plea deal, just because it was easier to get. We confront the charges. We listen to your story, craft a resolute defense, and defend your freedom from the day you call until the case is over.
Reach out to us now to start putting together your defense. Call (800) 755-5174 or let us know how we can help you on 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 Simi Valley, CA:
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