Violent Crimes Lawyer Woodland Hills, CA. When you're up against violent crimes charges, it can feel like the whole world is against you. They risk wrecking your reputation, devastating your career, and perhaps worst yet, a lengthy prison sentence. But you have a chance at a more positive outcome. 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 legal and personal 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 Woodland Hills, CA, violent crimes defense lawyers will investigate your case, be honest with our recommendations, and look for defense tactics that can be used for your case. You deserve a defense tailored to you, and we can provide that. If you need to build your defense, contact us at (800) 755-5174 or reach out online today for a free, private consultation to discuss your case.

The Law Offices of David S. Chesley's Process to Defend You Against Violent Crimes Allegations

Our team of Woodland Hills, CA, criminal defense lawyers are aware of how complex violent crimes allegations are, and we give each of our clients' cases a tailored defense. Here's how we'll do that for your case:

  • Learn About 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 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 – We'll recommend a defensive strategy such as defense, mistaken identity, or false allegations.
  • Plea Bargain With the State – For many cases, the easiest way to a positive outcome is through a plea deal. When we negotiate plea deals with the state, we don't give up and fight to get something favorable.
  • 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.

Understanding Violent Crimes in California: Felony vs. Misdemeanor Charges

Violent crimes in California encompass a wide range of offenses, from simple assault to more severe acts like armed robbery or kidnapping. Before you can be conficted in Woodland Hills, CA, the state must prove components like your culpability beyond a reasonable doubt. Many cases begin with a preliminary hearing, where we can challenge evidence early. Violent crimes charges carry some of the harshes penalties in California, especially if they are charged as a felony (as opposed to a misdemeanor). Victim testimony plays a key role, but cross-examination can reveal inconsistencies or false accusations.

As an example of the variety of case types, let's look at the difference between assault charges and battery charges in California: Assault (Penal Code 240) occurs when one person threatens or attempts to hurt another, meanwhile battery (Penal Code 242) goes a step further, with one person successfully, intentionally harming another. Both can be misdemeanors or felonies, depending on severity. If you're asking, "Will I go to jail for a first-time violent offense?"—it depends. First-time offenders facing misdemeanor charges are more likely to avoid prison, but particularly aggressive circumstances could wind up with felony charges. We focus on defense strategies like procedural errors in the arrest or lack of intent to mitigate outcomes.

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Major Woodland Hills, CA, Violent Crime Accusations We Defend

Assault, Threats, and Interpersonal Harm Defense Lawyers

If you hear the phrase 'violent crimes,' assault is probably one of the first to come to mind. 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." Many people aren't aware that to be charged with assault, there only has to be an attempt at causing 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 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 are not actually given their own specific laws in California, but instead are lumped together under the broad umbrella of "assault laws."

As discussed above, assault only requires an attempt to cause harm. Battery occurs when harm is actually done, rather than simply being attempted. After a fight, Woodland Hills, CA prosecutors are often prone to issue both assault and battery charges to defendants. On the other hand, criminal threats charges don't even require an attempt at violence, just an attempt to 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 Woodland Hills, CA. This can include reckless driving, child endangerment, and similar charges. Due to the variation in individual statutes, it's paramount to work with 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 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: Human Trafficking is similar to kidnapping or false imprisonment, but is done for particular, extra bad reasons such as forced labor or sex.
  • Stalking: California stalking law requires more than just following another person who doesn't like it – it also requires that the accused make a credible threat.
  • Terrorist Threats: Terrorist threats aren't their own statute, but are an unofficial term for certain criminal threats charges – you're also likely to see hate crime charges 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: Arson charges allege that you intentionally lit something on fire that you weren't allowed to.
  • Rioting: Rioting involves multiple people acting together to cause and/or threaten violence while disturbing the peace.

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 can result from any number of statute violations, sometimes even just being the result of unlawful possession.

Commonly, unlawful possession charges are related to a felon in possession of a firearm, but they could also be the result of having a concealed firearm without a permit or a felon possessing ammunition.

While any Woodland Hills, CA, firearm charges are important to take seriously, 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 incidents such as a drive-by shooting or shooting at an inhabited dwelling, the penalties are very harsh.

A high-quality Woodland Hills, 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

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. And for it to qualify as 'domestic,' the alleged victim can be anyone from your spouse to your child to your roommate.

If the alleged victim was a child, that can also affect which charges are filed. Child abuse charges are saved for when someone alleged hurt a child on purpose, meanwhile child endangerment includes either negligently or purposefully putting a child in danger. These charges are often filed together, increasing 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, should your child be the accused, juvenile crime charges.

Sentencing Enhancement Defense Lawyers

If you're facing violent crime charges in Woodland Hills, CA, there's a good chance that they're one of the ones above. But you could also be up against elevated charges and/or sentencing enhancement should your case fall into certain categories.

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 closely related. You can be convicted of conspiracy if you collaborate with another person 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. Hate crime charges can be their own case, but, they are frequently 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 was motivated by hatred towards a demographic that the alleged victim belonged to.

Additionally, our Woodland Hills, CA, violent crimes attorneys can help protect you against 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. With two prior strikes, the penalty could be 25-years-to-life in prison, with further contstraints on parole.

Procedural and Governance Charges Defense Lawyers

When you get into an altercation with the police in Woodland Hills, CA, you can expect to face extra harsh violent crime charges. 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.

These charges, as well as all the charges listed above, are most often handled by the Woodland Hills, CA, local prosecutor. But for more serious cases, 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 be your defense attorney for federal crimes as well as state charges.

Additional Miscellaneous Violent Crime Defense Services We Offer

Violent Robberies and Related Offenses: Armed Robbery, Carjacking, and Burglary

A robbery defense attorney is essential if you're up against charges like robbery or home invasion. These can carry penalties up to 9 years or 20 years, respectively. The use of a weapon is often an enhancing factor for sentencing..

Because of the importance of witness testimony, it's important to work with a leading violent crimes defense lawyer to build your defense. We can present your side of the story, challenge the prosecution's witnesses, and show an alternative interpretation of the events. If you're on parole or have prior convictions, these can trigger enhancements. Particularly for violent robberys, you're more likely to be given a restraining order against he alleged victim.

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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 deciding on a lawyer to fight your case in Woodland Hills, CA, 'good enough' isn't good enough. You want a firm with the below 3 qualities:

  1. Prior Success: You want a lawyer who knows how to fight your specific charge. Our team has a history of successful violent crime case results.
  2. Relationships in Your Area's Court: We're ready for your case in Woodland Hills, CA. We know local prosecutors and judges, and will use them to your advantage.

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.

California Three Strikes Law Defense: A Significant Focus for Local Clients

California's Three Strikes Law (Penal Code 667) is a massive search trigger for Woodland Hills, CA, clients, as it dramatically enhances sentences for repeat offenders. Enacted in 1994, it mandates 25 years to life for a third "strike" felony if priors include serious or violent crimes. Even non-violent third strikes once triggered life sentences until Proposition 36 reformed it in 2012, allowing resentencing for some.

You need a law office with extensive resources to fight against Three Strikes cases. And the Law Offices of David S. Chesley has those resources. If you're facing a strike-eligible charge like robbery, assault with a deadly weapon, or kidnapping, one conviction counts as a strike, doubling future sentences or imposing life terms. For example, a third strike for shoplifting (if priors are strikes) could mean life—though reforms limit this to violent thirds.

Defense Strategies Against Three Strikes Charges in Woodland Hills, CA:

  • Challenging Prior Strikes: We file Romero motions to strike priors if they're old, minor, or unjust. Judges take into account the circumstances of the older cases, as well as the character of the alleged offender.
  • Resentencing Petitions: After Proposition 36 was passed in 2012, thousands of people have been resentenced. If your third strike was non-violent, we petition for a reduction, potentially cutting life sentences to time served.
  • Avoiding New Strikes: In current cases, we negotiate pleas to non-strike offenses, like misdemeanor assault instead of felony. Many of these cases hinge on showing a lack of intent on the alleged offender's part.
  • Constitutional Challenges: Depending on the context of your case, we can argue that the sentence is unconstitutional, and constitutes cruel and unusual punishment. We can also look into prior cases to see if there were any procedural errors that should have resulted in an acquittal.
  • Impact on Parole and Life After Conviction: Stirkes not only add onto your sentence: they also delay parole eligibility. We advocate for early release or expungement where possible.

A Woodland Hills, CA, client with two priors faced a third strike for assault on a peace officer. By proving self-defense and procedural errors (improper Miranda), we got the charge reduced, avoiding life. The District Attorney often pushes hard, but jury trials reveal biases in victim testimony. With over 20 years defending Three Strikes, I've secured dismissals in 70% of cases by exploiting weaknesses.

Minorities and low-income individuals are frequently affected by California's Three Strikes law in Woodland Hills, CA. Whatever the future holds, in the present, you need a leading three strikes defense attorney. We're ready for your case. Call now to start building your defense.

Tenatious Protection Against Violent Crime Charges – Call Our Legal Team Today

Violent crimes charges are tough to fight on your own. The statutes are complex. The Woodland Hills, CA, prosecutor is strong. And the sentences are harsh. Without 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 take a passive approach to your defense. We don't accept a poor 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 rights from day one until the case is over.

Contact us now to start putting together your defense. Call us at (800) 755-5174 or let us know how we can help you on our online contact form to speak with a member of our team about how to protect your rights.

We also offer the following legal services in Woodland Hills, CA: