Violent Crimes Lawyer Vista, CA. We know how overwhelming it can be to be facing violent crime accusations. They risk wrecking your reputation, devastating your career, and worst yet, a long time in jail or prison. But all hope is not lost. And when you call 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 experienced Vista, CA, violent crimes defense lawyers will look into your case, tell you the truth about your situation, and develop defense tactics that should be effective for your charges. We view your case, and you as a person, as unique and deserving of individual attention. If you're ready to craft your defense, contact us at (800) 755-5174 or send us a note online today 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 Accusations
Our team of Vista, CA, criminal defense lawyers know how different each violent crimes accusation can be, and we give each of our clients' cases a tailored defense. It all starts with the following steps:
- Listen to 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 investigate the charges and Vista, CA, violent crime law specifics, to see if there are any special circumstances which apply to you.
- Craft a Defense Strategy – Our lawyers will recommend a defensive strategy such as defense, mistaken identity, or procedural error.
- Plea Bargain 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 stick with you from start to finish, fighting for a positive outcome.
Major Vista, CA, Violent Crime Allegations 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." Many people don't know that to be charged with assault, one only has to attempt to cause harm, regardless of whether or not you actually cause harm.
While simple assault charges are harsh in and of themselves, there are several more serious variations of them. 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: Assault using a weapon other than a gun. These variations aren't literally written into California law, but instead are used to describe specific types of "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, rather than just being attempted. After a fight, Vista, 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. You don't even have to be willing to follow through; "I didn't mean it" isn't a valid defense for these charges.
Another important set of charges we commonly defend against in this category is reckless endangerment charges. This can include reckless driving, child endangerment, and other charges along those lines. Due to the difference in each of the laws, you need to have a violent crimes lawyer who knows how to defend each of the charges.
Our violent crime defense attorneys can also help you fight the following charges in Vista, CA,:
- False Imprisonment: This occurs when one person wrongfully restrains or confines another, for example, locking another person in a room.
- Kidnapping: Kidnapping is different from false imprisonment because it involves forcibly moving a person from one location to another.
- Human Trafficking: As opposed to the above allegations, human trafficking is done for specific, extra heinous reasons 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're also likely to see hate crime charges 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
The right to bear arms comes with many restrictions and responsibilities in Vista, CA. California firearm offenses can result from any number of statute violations, sometimes even just being the result of unlawful possession.
In many cases, 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 any Vista, CA, gun charges are serious, 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.
Meanwhile, discharging a firearm will frequently get you harsher sentences. Particularly in incidents 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 experienced Vista, 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
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 injuries of all kinds, threats of abuse, 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 involves the direct, intentional cause of harm to a child, meanwhile child endangerment could be any action that endangers a child, regardless of whether you meant to or not. These charges are often filed together, heightening their seriousness.
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, in cases with youth defendants, juvenile crime charges.
Sentencing Enhancement Defense Lawyers
If you're facing violent crime charges in Vista, CA, there's a good chance that they're one of the ones above. But you can also need to fight elevated charges and/or sentencing enhancement if certain circumstances apply.
One way we frequently see penalties increased is through gang enhancements. If a different crime was committed as a part of gang activities, the sentence you face can be increased by several years. Conspiracy charges are another group-related charge. You could be convicted of conspiracy if you agree with another person to break the law, and either one of you does something that furthers the commission of the crime.
Another way you can see your sentence raised is if you're accused of a hate crime. While hate crimes can be standalone offenses, they are often used as enhancements to other crimes. The prosecution in Vista, CA may charge another crime as a hate crime if the alleged offender was motivated by hatred towards a demographic that the alleged victim belonged to.
Finally, our Vista, CA, violent crimes attorneys can help guard you against California's three strikes law. For alleged repeat offenders, this law can become a tremendous hurdle. Previous felony convictions may count as "strikes" against you. With one prior strike, if you are convicted of a new felony, the sentence will be doubled, and you will have a harder time securing early release. When convicted and given a third strike, the sentence could be increased to 25-years-to-life in prison, with additional restraints on early release.
Procedural and Governance Charges Defense Lawyers
If the alleged violent crime was committed against a law enforcement officer in Vista, CA, the allegations can be even more severe. Assault on a police officer carries harsher penalties than simple assault, 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 can broadly apply to anything done to get in their way, whether or not they were trying to arrest you.
In most cases, if you're accused of a violent crime in Vista, CA, you'll be in municipal court against a local prosecuting attorney. On some occasions, when the accusations are especially severe, a federal prosecutor may fight against you. 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 proud to defend 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 picking an attorney to defend you in Vista, CA, 'good enough' isn't good enough. You want a firm with the below 3 qualities:
- A History of 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: 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 handle court cases all over California, including in Vista, CA. We have relationships with local prosecutors and judges, and will use them to your advantage.
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 Protection Against Violent Crime Charges – Call Us Now
Violent crimes charges are tough to fight on your own. The statutes are complex. The Vista, CA, district attorney is frightening. And the punishments are grim. Without an expert violent crimes lawyer to defend you, your freedom and constitutional rights are in danger.
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 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 protect your freedom from when we first speak until the case is over.
Contact us now to begin building your defense. Call (800) 755-5174 or fill out our online contact form to speak with a lawyer about how to protect your rights.
We also offer the following legal services in Vista, CA:
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