If the court charges you with a weapons crime in Los Angeles, you could face severe penalties, even if you don’t have a criminal record. However, a weapons charges lawyer in Los Angeles can provide critical assistance if you’re at risk of being convicted for a weapons offense.
A weapons offense conviction can devastate your life under California’s strict “10-20-Life” gun laws under PC 12022.53. You may also face federal charges in the case of a firearms violation. Find out what to expect if you’re facing weapons charges and how our Los Angeles criminal defense lawyers at Simmrin Law Group can help.
How Can Los Angeles Weapons Charges Lawyers Help You?
Los Angeles weapons charges attorneys provide comprehensive help handling all aspects of your charges. They can:
- Advise you during questioning by police
- Take steps to protect your rights
- File motions to block evidence against you
- Work to have your charges reduced or even dismissed
Our team focuses on your specific needs. We aggressively negotiate with the prosecution and answer any questions you have while taking on your defense.
You have the right to legal counsel after an arrest. Take advantage of your legal rights by reaching out to us before answering any questions by prosecutors or police officers. We also have a record of successfully handling weapons charges cases that go to trial.
For a free legal consultation with a weapons charges lawyer serving Los Angeles, call (310) 896-2723
How Much Does a Criminal Attorney Cost in Los Angeles?
Law firms charge different rates for their services throughout Los Angeles. You can ask about the firm’s pricing strategy when you contact them after an arrest.
Generally, established law firms with a history of wins charge more for their services. However, they can provide you with a greater sense of confidence about your claim. It’s critical to have a weapons charges lawyer who puts you first.
You also have the option to work with a public defender. However, these lawyers often carry heavy caseloads, preventing them from giving clients like you individualized care and attention.
Los Angeles Weapons Charges Lawyer Near Me (310) 896-2723
What Is a Weapons Charge in California?
There are a variety of weapons charges in California’s long and complex penal code. Many people may think automatically of guns when discussing weapons charges. But, in reality, they can involve different kinds of weapons and situations in which no one even discharges a firearm.
However, California does have many additional weapons laws that target firearms in particular. In addition, California’s strict gun laws often intersect with federal gun laws, leading to even steeper penalties for weapons violations involving firearms than usual.
If you are facing weapons charges, one of our experienced Los Angeles weapons charges lawyers can work toward clearing your name.
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Are Weapons Legal in Los Angeles?
Many individuals living in Los Angeles can legally purchase and keep weapons. However, they must follow all the regulations issued by the state to avoid criminal charges.
The following list contains some of the most common types of weapons charges in California:
- Illegal weapons sale
- Assault with a deadly weapon
- Aggravated assault with a deadly weapon
- Firing an object into an occupied building
- Drive-by shooting
- Brandishing a weapon
- Carrying a loaded firearm in public
- Improper handling of a firearm
- Possession of an illegal weapon
- The manufacture or possession of destructive devices
California’s strict weapons laws, particularly relating to guns, can lead to severe charges. You may face either misdemeanor or felony weapons charges, along with potential sentencing enhancements.
Your charges may be more severe depending on your criminal history, any aggravating circumstances, your intent, and the type of weapon you used. Find out more about your specific situation with a weapons charges lawyer.
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What Are the Penalties for Los Angeles Weapons Violations?
Weapons charges in Los Angeles County carry heavy penalties. For misdemeanors, you can expect to pay a fine of up to $1,000 and potentially spend up to a year in jail. In the case of a felony weapons offense conviction, you could spend one to 20 years in state prison.
The circumstances around your case will impact the severity of your sentence if you are convicted. Specific charges you could face for some of the most common types of weapons violations are as follows:
Penalties for Concealed Weapons
While you can conceal some weapons, hiding others may lead to a carrying a concealed weapon charge. For instance, hiding a firearm in Los Angeles is nearly always a crime.
Having the gun on your person or in your vehicle where other people cannot see it can count as concealing it. You may face charges if you have:
- A hidden gun whose outline is visible beneath your clothing
- A firearm stored underneath a car seat
- A gun hidden behind or inside other carried objects (like a box)
Contrary to what some people think, for the purposes of this law, California treats a taser device as a firearm, meaning that it is illegal to carry a concealed taser weapon.
Depending on the level of the offense, a conviction can lead to some heavy penalties. These can range from six months in jail and a $1,000 fine to three years in jail and a $10,000 fine.
With help from a knowledgeable weapons charges lawyer in Los Angeles, you may be able to avoid such outcomes.
Penalties for Brandishing a Weapon
The law in Los Angeles states that it is legal to display your firearm or weapon. However, doing so in a way that others may perceive as threatening is called brandishing a weapon and is illegal. This charge applies to unloaded firearms as well as:
- Incendiary devices
- Knives
- Swords
- Baseball bats
- Beer bottles
- Anything else that can cause serious injuries
Penalties for brandishing a deadly weapon can range from one month in jail to three years in state prison, so having one of our weapons charges attorneys represent you is always recommended.
What Are L.A.’s Regulations on Carrying Firearms?
California is very clear on its firearms transportation laws. Carrying a loaded firearm is always against the law if it occurs in public or if the weapon is in your vehicle.
If you face accusations of carrying a loaded firearm, there are several defensive strategies a weapons charges lawyer can apply to your case:
- You had reason to believe the gun was not loaded
- You were unaware there was a gun in your possession
- The space you occupied was not a public place
- The police discovered the loaded weapon by violating your constitutional rights
- You loaded the firearm as a reasonable measure of self-defense
Our team assesses the specific facts of your case when building your defense.
Penalties for Firing a Gun in Los Angeles
You can be in serious trouble for firing your weapon if the court deems that you did so in an unsafe way. The charge is known as negligent discharge and can result in three years in jail as well as up to $10,000 in fines.
However, if you fired the gun accidentally, you cannot be charged with negligent discharge. The law clearly states that you must fire a gun wilfully to be convicted. So, establishing the event as an accident represents one defense that Los Angeles negligent discharge of a firearm defense lawyers can use.
Los Angeles Felon With a Firearm Penalties
Another regulation regarding the carrying of firearms is that it is illegal for a felon to be in possession of a firearm.
Though citizens have the right to bear arms as afforded by the Constitution, the Supreme Court has made clear that this is a conditional right, and convicted felons lose that right.
Note that guns still count as guns even in these circumstances:
- You unloaded the weapon
- You disassembled the weapon
- The weapon sustained damage
- The gun cannot operate or function
Therefore, you are still legally restricted from possessing that weapon if you are a convicted felon. However, since the legal definition of possession can be tricky and complicated, a weapons charges attorney may be able to help you avoid a conviction.
Penalties for Selling Firearms in Los Angeles
California restricts the sale of firearms unless you have a special license. If you get caught selling without that license, you can face charges for an unlicensed sale of firearms under PC 26500. You may encounter the following penalties:
- Six months in county jail
- $1,000 fine
Unfortunately, the court can apply those penalties to you for each gun sold without a license. They can stack up quickly, and the results can be life-altering.
Get in touch with our criminal defense lawyers in L.A. to begin discussing how we can work to get the charges dropped or reduced.
What Are Common Legal Defenses for Weapons Charges?
A weapons charge conviction can cause disruptions that follow you throughout your life. For example, the charge will appear on background checks, making it difficult to find employment. You may also have trouble renting or buying a house with a weapons charge conviction.
Fortunately, Los Angeles weapons charges attorneys can build a personalized defense after your arrest. Your lawyer may work to show that:
- You acted in self-defense: If you had reason to believe that you or another person were about to suffer serious bodily harm or death.
- The situation was accidental: If you discharged a firearm accidentally, you had no criminal intent.
- You didn’t own the weapon: If you had a gun on your person or vehicle but didn’t own the weapon, you may not have been aware of it.
- You experienced entrapment or police misconduct: If your weapons violation occurred due to entrapment or police misconduct, the court might throw it out.
- You faced prosecutor misconduct: If the prosecutor tried to influence the jury in your case.
Contact Los Angeles Weapons Charges Lawyers for FREE
At the Simmrin Law Group, we believe it is essential for you to understand how we can help in your particular case. For that reason, we offer a FREE initial consultation.
To contact a Los Angeles weapons charges lawyer, simply fill out our online contact form or call us today. We stand ready to help you!
Call or text (310) 896-2723 or complete a Free Case Evaluation form