California uses Penal Code 12022.53 PC | 10-20-Life Sentencing Enhancement for individuals who use firearms while committing certain serious felonies. For this reason, PC 12022.53 is also called the “use a gun and you’re done” law.
PC 12022.53 allows the court to harshly punish individuals who use or discharge a firearm during the commission of a felony. A Los Angeles weapons charges lawyer can help you learn more about this enhancement.
You can reach out to our team at the Simmrin Law Group to learn more about penalty enhancements and the time they can add to a prison sentence, especially for felony offenses.
Basic Facts About PC 12022.53 Enhancements
PC 12022.53 enhancements only apply in some instances in California. Individuals face these enhancements if they commit specific felonies and:
- Use a gun
- Fire a gun
- Kill or severely injure someone with a gun
This enhancement only applies to certain felonies. The state lists multiple felonies that can lead to a PC 12022.53 enhancement. Individuals can also face this enhancement for felonies that the court can punish with life imprisonment or the death penalty.
You can reach out to us if you are looking for more specific information about Penal Code 12022.53 PC | 10-20-Life Sentencing Enhancement. A Los Angeles criminal defense lawyer from our team can discuss the additional time a 10-20-Life enhancement might add to your senses.
For a free legal consultation with a 10-20-life sentencing enhancement lawyer serving California, call (310) 896-2723
What Felony Charges Are Enhanced by PC 12022.53?
Only certain felony charges are enhanced by PC 12022.53. These charges include:
- Murder
- Kidnapping
- Robbery
- Carjacking
- Assault with intent to commit a specific felony
- Assault on a peace officer
- Rape or gang rape
- Sodomy
- Lewd conduct with a minor
- Forced oral copulation or sexual penetration
- Assault or holding a hostage by a prisoner
Additionally, this enhancement applies to all felonies that can result in the death penalty or life in prison. Individuals can also face this enhancement if they attempt to commit the above-listed felonies. Contact a criminal defense attorney to discuss how to fight these specific charges.
Our team takes sentence enhancements seriously and can provide you with professional legal representation for the enhancement and the underlying offense.
California 10-20-Life Sentencing Enhancement Lawyer Near Me (310) 896-2723
What Are the Penalties for a PC 12022.53 Enhancement?
PC 12022.53 is a sentencing enhancement. Therefore, it adds to penalties associated with another felony. Depending on the way an individual uses a gun, these penalties can vary. For instance, individuals who:
- Use a gun can face an additional 10 years in prison
- Fire a gun can face an additional 20 years in prison
- Kill or injure someone with a gun can face life in prison
We can focus more on how these charges work by considering the results for a felony. Let’s say that a man is arrested and convicted of rape in California. He gets sentenced to eight years in prison for the act of rape.
However, he used a gun during the commission of the crime. The court can add 10 years to his sentence. So, he could spend 18 years in prison because of a gun enhancement at the time of sentencing. However, he only faces incarceration for a felony conviction for an underlying crime.
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Are There Defenses for the “Use a Gun and You’re Done” Enhancement?
Many legal defenses can work if you are facing a PC 12022.53 enhancement in California. Reach out to a criminal defense lawyer in Los Angeles immediately to get help. Our team can work to show that:
You Didn’t Commit or Attempt to Commit a Felony
PC 12022.53 enhancements only apply if you carry out specific felonies in California. We can build a defense for you if you get accused of felony crimes. We know how to help if the court charges you with attempting a felony as well.
You Didn’t Use a Firearm While Committing a Felony
Additionally, PC 12022.53 charges only apply if you used a gun during the commission of a felony. We can take steps to show that you did not use or fire a gun. Get legal help on your side right now to handle the 10-20-Life sentence enhancement.
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How Do Lawyers Handle Felony Crimes in California?
Your attorney may focus on the underlying felony charge when dealing with cases involving the 10-20-Life law. Depending on the facts surrounding your case, your attorney may take steps to have your charges reduced or even dismissed.
Plea bargains can reduce felony criminal offenses to misdemeanor charges, removing any additional term of imprisonment through the 12022.53 enhancement. Our team can review common defenses for violent felony charges, including showing that you caused another person’s injuries by accident.
Seek legal counsel about your next steps after an arrest by contacting us.
Speak to a Lawyer About How to Fight Penal Code 12022.53 Enhancements
Our criminal defense lawyers in Los Angeles are standing by to help you handle charges with Penal Code 12022.53 PC | 10-20-Life Sentencing Enhancement issues. You can easily contact the Simmrin Law Group by completing our online contact form. You can also call us.
Let us help you learn more about the 10-20-Life law with a free consultation.
Call or text (310) 896-2723 or complete a Free Case Evaluation form
