Violent crimes are offenses that involve causing harm to another person here in California. There are several primary examples of violent crimes, including assault, battery, and murder. Some sex crimes are also classified as violent crimes in Los Angeles.
Violent crime convictions usually lead to fines and incarceration. The court system treats these charges very seriously, especially as compared to other criminal acts.
California’s Definition of Violent Crimes
California defined violent crimes legally through Penal Code §667.5(c). This section of the penal code, in fact, lists out the offenses that are classified as “violent felonies.” However, you should know that not all violent crimes in California are treated as felonies.
Anyone who attempts to hurt or successfully hurts another person can face violent crime charges here in Los Angeles. Sometimes, people can face a conviction for a violent crime without even touching another person. This could occur if the court uses charges for assault.
Assault
Assault is considered a violent crime in Los Angeles. Assault involves:
- Trying to touch another person
- In a way that is offensive or harmful
You do not have to actually harm another person to face an assault charge in our state. Merely acting in a way that could cause someone else an injury can lead to an assault conviction. There are multiple different forms of assault, including:
- Assault with a deadly weapon
- Assault with caustic chemical
Assault is a “wobbler” in California. This means that individuals can face misdemeanor or felony charges after an assault accusation.
Battery
Battery is another example of a violent crime in the state of California. Many people use the terms assault and battery interchangeably, but they refer to different criminal acts here in our state. Battery occurs if someone actually touches someone else in a way that is:
- Harmful OR
- Offensive
Battery charges are often prosecuted as felonies in California, however, sometimes they are treated as misdemeanors. The prosecution will decide how to handle a battery accusation, based on the accused’s past criminal record and the facts of the case.
Murder
Murder is the most serious violent crime charge used in California. Murder involves taking the life of another person without a lawful reason. Individuals can face murder charges for crimes of passion and for premeditated acts.
A violent crimes lawyer in Los Angeles, CA can help you get familiar with different murder charges in our area. Some acts of murder are considered to be first- or second-degree murder. Attempted murder and manslaughter are also related violent crimes in Los Angeles.
Additional Violent Crime Charges in Los Angeles
However, there are a number of other violent felonies in our state. These charges cover acts such as:
- Mayhem
- Robbery
- Some acts of arson
- Kidnapping
- Carjacking
- Some acts of extortion
- Threats to witnesses
- Some acts of burglary
Furthermore, some sex crimes are considered violent crimes if they end up causing harm to the alleged victim. This includes crimes like rape, sodomy, and forced oral copulation. While these acts are normally simply prosecuted as sex crimes, if they involve violence, they are handled more harshly in the court system.
Results of California Violent Crime Convictions
Violent crime convictions generally lead to fines and incarceration. This makes them very much like other criminal charges in California. However, the court system often uses other penalties for violent crime accusations.
A conviction for a violent crime can result in:
- The loss of the right to own or purchase firearms
- Orders to attend an anger management program
- A strike on an individual’s criminal record
Make sure you take any violent crime charge in California seriously by working with a criminal defense lawyer in Los Angeles immediately after an arrest.
Find Out What is Considered a Violent Crime in California
Assault, battery, and murder are all considered violent crimes in California. There are a number of other charges that count as “violent crimes.” The Simmrin Law Group can help if you are accused of any violent crime.
Just call us at (310) 896-2723 or fill out our online contact form. Our violent crime lawyers in Los Angeles are here to help you now. We’ll get started today with a free consultation.