Violent crimes in California are treated with the utmost seriousness by the county and state courts. If you are charged with and convicted of a violent crime, you could wind up facing thousands of dollars in fines, lengthy jail time, and other penalties.
A Long Beach violent crimes lawyer from the Simmrin Law Group can review the charges filed against you, the district attorney’s evidence, and provide an honest assessment of the case. When you are charged with a violent crime in Long Beach, you need an experienced criminal defense attorney on your side.
Defining a Violent Crime in California
California defines a violent crime as any incident where you cause bodily harm to someone else or threaten to harm them physically. Violent crimes range from kidnapping to assault and everything in between. You are more likely to face felony charges regarding a violent crime.
For a free legal consultation with a violent crimes lawyer serving Long Beach, call (310) 896-2723
Common Long Beach Violent Crimes
The most common Long Beach violent crimes that our criminal defense lawyers handle include the following:
- Manslaughter
- Assault
- Robbery
- Arson
- Sexual assault
- Murder
- Kidnapping
- Domestic violence
- Rape
Long Beach Violent Crimes Lawyer Near Me (310) 896-2723
The Three Strikes Law in California
California is particularly tough on defendants who have prior felony convictions on their records. If you have previously been convicted of a felony, you need to pay particular attention to the three strikes law.
Under California’s three strikes law, you will face double the jail time if convicted of a second felony. If you are convicted of a third felony, you will be sentenced to 25 years to life in prison.
If faced with a subsequent felony charge, you need a violent crimes lawyer in Long Beach on your side. You cannot risk the extensive jail time you could be sentenced to if you are convicted.
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Fighting to Have Violent Crimes Charges Dropped in Long Beach
The experienced violent crimes attorneys in Long Beach can work to have the charges against you dropped or reduced. A member of our criminal defense team will conduct the following in an effort to help you avoid the strictest of sentences from the court.
Look for Evidence that the Arrest Was Not Handled Properly
One of the first things an experienced criminal defense attorney will do is look for evidence that the arrest was not appropriately handled. Was the contact by police done so with probable cause? Did the officer have a search warrant before entering your home? Did you suffer abuse at the hands of the police while being arrested? No matter what happened, a violent crimes lawyer in Long Beach will work to prove misconduct on the part of the officer.
Collect Evidence that Shows You Are Innocent
Evidence proving to the court that you are innocent of the crime in question can help reduce or drop the charges against you. Evidence your attorney will review includes the police report, security camera footage, text messages, phone calls, and other items.
Show the Court You Acted Reasonably
A Long Beach violent crimes attorney will also tell you how to show the court that you acted reasonably.
Negotiate on Your Behalf
An experienced criminal defense attorney knows how to negotiate lesser sentences regarding violent crimes. Depending on the negotiations, the charges might be reduced, dropped, or changed by the judge or prosecutor assigned to the case.
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Violent Crimes and Assault
More often than not, violent crimes involve assault. The prosecution must be able to prove the following when an assault charge is levied against you:
- You committed willful force
- You knew that what you were doing could cause harm
- You had the intention of causing bodily harm to someone else
Assault with a Deadly Weapon
Assault with a deadly weapon has a wider reach compared to the charge of assault with a firearm. If you are charged with assault with a deadly weapon, it means that you threatened to or did inflict harm using anything that can be considered deadly. This can include a pipe, broken glass, brass knuckles, knives, swords, a bow and arrow, and other items.
Violent Crimes and Battery
If you are charged with battery, it means that there was actual contact or force used in the crime committed. For this reason, battery charges come with stiffer penalties than assault charges. If you are charged with simple battery, the lowest battery charge possible, it means that there was no serious injury to the victim, but you can still face the following penalties:
- $2,000 fine
- Half of a year in jail
- You cannot own firearms for 10 years
- You will be mandated to take anger management classes
Domestic Violence Charges in Long Beach
Domestic violence is another type of violent crime charge you can face in Long Beach, California. If you are convicted of a domestic violence crime, you face the following penalties:
- Fines
- Time in jail
- Loss of child custody
- Mandated to attend domestic violence classes
- Divorce settlements that will not be in your favor
There are three main domestic violence charges: domestic battery, corporal punishment, and corporal injury of a partner.
Domestic Battery
A domestic battery charge is a lot like a battery charge, except that it involves a member of your family or someone who lives in your home. This charge does not require an injury to the victim in order for you to be charged with it.
Corporal Punishment
A corporal punishment charge is filed against those who commit domestic violence against children.
Corporal Injury of a Partner
In order for you to be charged with corporal injury of a partner, an actual injury must be present on your victim. If there is no injury present, the prosecution can only charge you with domestic battery in the case.
Call a Long Beach Violent Crimes Lawyer Today
Have you been charged with a violent crime? Aside from jail time and fines, your life can come to a complete halt. Call the Long Beach violent crimes lawyer, or complete the contact form, at the Simmrin Law Group to schedule an appointment with a member of our team today.
Call or text (310) 896-2723 or complete a Free Case Evaluation form