Violent Crimes Lawyer South San Diego, CA. Fighting violent crimes charges is critical to your future. They risk wrecking your reputation, devastating your career, and perhaps worst yet, a long time in jail or prison. But you can fight to protect yourself. And when you work with the Law Offices of David S. Chesley, Inc., you get a shield that will guard 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 skillful South San Diego, CA, violent crimes defense lawyers will research your case, be honest with our recommendations, and look for defensive tactics that will be effective for your case. We view your case, and you as a person, as unique and deserving of individual attention. If you're ready to craft your defense, phone us at (800) 755-5174 or fill out our contact form now for a free, confidential consultation to discuss your case.
How the Law Offices of David S. Chesley's Lawyers Defend You Against Violent Crimes Allegations
Our team of South San Diego, CA, criminal defense lawyers know that every violent crime case is unique, and we design our defensive strategy around the specifics of your situation. Here's how we'll do that for your case:
- Listen to Your Story – Every case starts with our client. We want to hear from you what really happened and why.
- Research the Statutes and Your Case – We'll research the specifics of the charges and South San Diego, CA, violent crime law specifics, to ensure that we're well prepared to build a strong defensive strategy.
- Build a Defense Strategy – Our lawyers will recommend a defensive strategy such as defense, consent, or false allegations.
- Negotiatiate With the State – Any time we communicate with the South San Diego 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 stick with you from start to finish, fighting for a positive outcome.
Major South San Diego, CA, Violent Crime Categories We Defend
Assault, Threats, and Interpersonal Harm Defense Lawyers
Assault is one of the most commont types of violent crimes in California. In fact, the literal definition describes it as attempting "a violent injury on the person of another." A lot of people don't know that to be charged with assault, one only has to attempt to cause harm, not necessarily actually cause harm.
Simple assault charges are usually a misdemeanor, however you could also potentially face a severe variation on the charges. Aggravated assault types of charges stem from attempts to cause serious harm, rather than just harm in general. Another similar one is assault with a deadly weapon: Committing assault while 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
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 only being attempted. You'll find that in many cases, if you're accused of battery in South San Diego, CA, you'll also be accused of assault. On the other hand, criminal threats charges can occur completely over the phone, text, or verbally in person. They don't have to involve literal violence at all. 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 South San Diego, CA. This can include reckless driving, child endangerment, and similar charges. Because of the variation in specific laws, it's critical to find a violent crimes lawyer who knows not only how to defend against individual charges, but also the combinations of them.
Our violent crime defense attorneys can also help you fight the following charges in South San Diego, 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 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 specific, extra grim 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: 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 is used for particularly grisly allegations of harm, wherein the action was performed for a sadistic purpose.
- 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 charges can be split into inciting the riot or participating in it, but both are usually charged as misdemeanors.
Firearm Mishandling Defense Lawyers
Due to state law, you're not able to just do whatever you please with a gun in South San Diego, CA. California firearm offenses vary widely in nature and scope, sometimes even just being the result of unlawful possession.
In many cases, unlawful possession 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 South San Diego, CA, gun charges are major, 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. This is often prosecuted as a misdemeanor instead of a felony.
On the other hand, discharging a firearm will almost always be a more serious charge. Especially in allegations such as a drive-by shooting or shooting at an inhabited dwelling, it's unlikely that you'd get off with a small fee or community service.
An expert South San Diego, 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. But if family is involved, they get even scarier. Domestic violence isn't just battery on your spouse; it includes intentional or unintentional harm, threats of harm, and even just making someone think that they could be injured. And for it to qualify as 'domestic,' the alleged victim can be anyone from your spouse to your child to your roommate.
Crimes against children also have their own specific legal categories. Child abuse is reserved for deliberate acts of violence against children (like hitting them), while child endangerment consists of putting a child at risk of harm, either intentionally or unintentionally. These charges can be 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, in cases with youth defendants, juvenile crime charges.
Sentencing Enhancement Defense Lawyers
Some violent crime accusations are just that – the South San Diego, CA, prosecutor alleges that you committed an action that broke the law. That said, you might also face elevated charges and/or sentencing enhancement if your case meets certain criteria.
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 could be convicted of conspiracy if you make a plan with somebody else to commit a crime, 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. While hate crimes can be standalone offenses, they are frequently used as enhancements to other crimes. The prosecutor in South San Diego, CA may charge another crime as a hate crime if they think that the alleged offender was motivated by hatred towards a demographic that the alleged victim belonged to.
Finally, our South San Diego, CA, violent crimes attorneys can help defend you against California's three strikes law. Under it, certain serious felonies are classified as "strikes" in your criminal history. 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 penalty could be 25-years-to-life in prison, with additional restrictions on parole.
Procedural and Governance Charges Defense Lawyers
If the alleged violent crime was committed against a law enforcement officer in South San Diego, CA, the allegations can be even more severe. Assault on a police officer carries harsher penalties than simple assault, while resisting arrest can range from physical attacks to simply being uncooperative. Obstructing a police officer is a similar 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.
In most cases, if you're accused of a violent crime in South San Diego, CA, you'll be in municipal court against a local prosecuting attorney. Sometimes, though, 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 ready 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 an attorney to protect you in South San Diego, CA, you want a firm with the below 3 qualities:
- A History of Success: You want to be represented by an attorney who knows the ins and outs of the California court system. Our team is know for our successful violent crime defense results.
- Expansive 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 builds its case against you, and how to poke holes in it.
- Relationships in Your Area's Court: We handle court cases all over California, including in South San Diego, CA. We are familiar 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 someone with all those characteristics.
Staunch Protection Against Violent Crime Charges – Call Our Lawyers Now
Don't try to face violent crimes accusations alone. The court system is complicated. The South San Diego, CA, prosecutor is intimidating. And the consequences are harsh. 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 take a passive approach to your defense. We don't settle for a bad plea deal, just because it was easier to get. We battle the state. We make a defense with you at the center, and defend your freedom from the day you call until the case is concluded.
Contact us now to start building your defense. Call us at (800) 755-5174 or tell us about your case via our online contact form to speak with a lawyer about how to protect your rights.
We also offer the following legal services in South San Diego, CA:
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