Violent Crimes Lawyer Woodland Hills, CA. Violent crime allegations are dangerous, whether they are felonies or misdemeanors. They risk torpedoing your reputation, setting back your career, and perhaps worst yet, a trip to jail or prison. But accusations are not the same as convictions. And with the Law Offices of David S. Chesley, Inc., you're getting expert legal representation to protect 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 Woodland Hills, CA, violent crimes defense lawyers will listen to you about your case, be honest with our recommendations, and look for defensive strategies that should be effective for your situation. We view your case, and you as a person, as unique and deserving of individual attention. If you're ready to create your defense, contact us at (800) 755-5174 or tell us about your case online today for a no-obligation, private consultation to discuss your case.
How the Law Offices of David S. Chesley's Lawyers Defend You Against Violent Crimes Allegations
Our team of Woodland Hills, 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. Here's how we'll do that for your case:
- Learn Your Story – Every case starts with our client. You can be honest with us about everything, and we'll start with your perspective.
- Research the Law and Your Case – We'll look into the charges and Woodland Hills, CA, violent crime law specifics, to ensure that we're well prepared to build a strong defensive strategy.
- Put Together a Defense Strategy – Our team will recommend a defensive strategy such as defense, lack of intent, or procedural error.
- Negotiatiate With the State – When speaking with the prosecutors, we will stand strong and demand the justice you deserve.
- Fight At Trial – Should your case go to trial, we'll present our matchless defense in court and show the judge and/or jury your side of the story.
Major Woodland Hills, 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. 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 someone else." Most people aren't aware 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 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: Committing assault while using a weapon other than a gun. These variations aren't official charges, but rather subcategories for more serious assault charges
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, rather than simply being attempted. After a fight, Woodland Hills, CA prosecutors are often prone to issue both assault and battery charges to defendants. Meanwhile, 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 similar charges. Because of the variation in individual statutes, it's paramount to find a violent crimes lawyer who can protect you from any of the possible charges.
The Law Offices of David S. Chesley, Inc., also defends against the below violent crimes charges in Woodland Hills, CA,:
- False Imprisonment: False imprisonment occcurs 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 particular, extra grim 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: 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: If a fight resulted in the permanent scarring of another person, the aggressor can be charged with mayhem.
- Arson: Arson charges allege that you intentionally lit something on fire that you weren't allowed to.
- 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
While most people do still have the right to own a firearm in Woodland Hills, CA, it comes with many constraints. California firearm offenses vary widely in nature and scope, and you don't even have to fire the gun to get in trouble. You can be arrested simply for unlawful possession.
Commonly, possession charges are related to a felon in possession of a firearm, but they could also be the result of having a concealed firearm when you don't have a permit or a felon possessing ammunition.
While all Woodland Hills, CA, gun charges are major, a major differentiator is whether you allegedly used the weapon or not. Brandishing a weapon normally does not include use of the weapon beyond showing it with the intent to scare another person. Most of the time this is charged as a misdemeanor.
Meanwhile, discharging a firearm will almost always be a more serious charge. Especially in cases 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 Woodland Hills, 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. 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 causing a situation where someone is afraid they'll be hurt. 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.
Domestic violence charges aren't the only ones that are defined by the alleged victim. Child abuse is reserved for deliberate acts of violence against children (like hitting them), while child endangerment could be any action that endangers a child, regardless of whether you meant to or not. These charges can be filed together, expanding 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, if an adolescent or child is the alleged offender, juvenile crime charges.
Sentencing Enhancement Defense Lawyers
The majority of Woodland Hills, CA, violent crime cases are rooted in some alleged act of violence. But you could also face elevated charges and/or sentencing enhancement if certain circumstances apply.
One way we frequently see penalties increased is through gang enhancements. If a crime was committed in the furtherance of gang activities, prison sentences can drastically increase, though exactly how much depends on the alleged crime. Conspiracy charges are another group-related charge. You can be found guilty 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 common sentence enhancement is when an alleged action is charged as a hate crime. Hate crime charges can be their own case, but, you can also see them used as enhancements to other charges. The district attorney in Woodland Hills, CA is likely to apply a hate crime label if they believe that the alleged offender committed the crime as an attack against a specific protected group.
Finally, our Woodland Hills, 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, sentences for felony convictions are doubled, and you will have to wait significantly longer before earning eligibility for parole. If a conviction would be your third strike, you are facing 25-years-to-life in prison, with further restraints on early release.
Procedural and Governance Charges Defense Lawyers
Woodland Hills, 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 can range from physical attacks to simply being uncooperative. 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 Woodland Hills, CA prosecution. Sometimes, though, a federal prosecutor may fight against you. 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 be your defense attorney for federal crimes as well as state charges.
Top 3 Violent Crimes Defense Lawyer Qualities
Violent crimes charges need high-quality defense lawyers. When you're picking a lawyer to fight your case in Woodland Hills, CA, it's important to hire 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 has a history of successful violent crime defense results.
- Diverse Legal Experience: We have over 50 years of combined legal experience, including time as prosecutors, judges, and police officers. We have inside knowledge of how the state prosecutes these cases, and how to fight against them.
- Relationships in Your Area's Court: We handle court cases all over California, including in Woodland Hills, CA. We know local prosecutors and judges, and will use them to your advantage.
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 properties.
Ferocious Defenses Against Violent Crime Charges – Call Our Legal Team Right Away
Violent crimes charges are tough to fight on your own. The statutes are complicated. The Woodland Hills, CA, district attorney is formidable. And the penalties are brutal. If you're lacking an expert violent crimes lawyer to defend you, 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 the first one offered. We fight. We start every case by listening to our client, and fight for your rights from the day you call until the case is concluded.
Reach out to us now to start putting together your defense. Call us at (800) 755-5174 or fill out our online contact form to speak with an attorney about how to defend you.
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