Make sure you are ready to handle a violent crime accusation in San Diego by contacting the Simmrin Law Group. Our team of professionally trained violent crimes lawyers in San Diego is ready to help you take on the following:
- Assault charges
- Battery charges
- Murder charges
Let us begin working on your defense today. Getting legal help in your corner right away can increase the odds that you will beat the charges you face. This is very important, as a violent crime conviction can result in fines and lengthy periods of incarceration. Talk to a San Diego violent crimes lawyer at the Simmrin Law Group today about the charges. Your rights and freedom are at stake when faced with prison time.
Violent Crimes Are Punished Severely in California
Violent crimes are viewed among the worst of offenses. As such, they are typically penalized quite harshly. You should never take a charge for a violent offense lightly. An experienced Los Angeles criminal defense lawyer can help you fight a charge in court or if you choose to attempt a plea bargain to reduce the penalties you face.
Getting a charge reduced could not only minimize the amount of time you may serve for an offense, but it could also protect your future. Ex-convicts often struggle to find work after serving time. Having a lesser charge on your record is likely more favorable to your employment chances.
Having a violent crime charged as a misdemeanor rather than a felony could also mean avoiding a strike on your record under California’s Three Strikes Law. Speak with a violent crimes attorney from the Simmrin Law Group as soon as you are charged with a crime.
Focus on Assault Charges in San Diego
The criminal courts in San Diego define assault as the attempt to use force against another person in a harmful or offensive way. Assault charges can be brought against you even if you do not physically touch another person.
You could be charged with a misdemeanor or a felony if you are accused of assault. Additionally, the court system uses multiple charges to prosecute acts of assault. You could be charged with the following:
- Simple assault (also called misdemeanor assault)
- Assault with a deadly weapon
- Assault with a firearm
Note that these are only examples of the assault charges used in California. A violent crimes lawyer in San Diego can help build your defense regardless of the assault charges you face, so contact the Simmrin Law Group now.
The Difference Between Assault and Battery in California
Battery charges are used to prosecute individuals who successfully touch another person in a harmful or offensive way. This distinction sets battery charges apart from assault. You could be charged with assault even if you did not touch someone else. Battery charges only apply if physical contact is made.
However, there are several similarities between assault and battery charges. As with assault, you could face misdemeanor or felony charges for battery. There are also multiple battery charges used by the San Diego court system, including:
- Simple battery (or misdemeanor battery)
- Battery causing serious bodily injury
- Battery on a peace or police officer
These charges can result in thousands of dollars in fines. You could also be sentenced to years behind bars if convicted of battery in California. A San Diego violent crimes attorney might be able to help you get your charges reduced.
Domestic Violence Is Treated Seriously in San Diego
You might face domestic violence charges in San Diego if you are accused of threatening or harming a romantic partner or family member. Domestic violence accusations may also apply to threats or violent acts directed at previous romantic partners.
The court system in San Diego does not use a single charge to prosecute individuals accused of domestic violence. Instead, you could be charged with different crimes, depending upon the accusations you are facing. Some of the most common charges used to prosecute domestic violence include:
- Domestic battery
- Child abuse
- Corporal injury to a spouse
You could be incarcerated and fined if convicted of domestic violence charges in San Diego. If you go through a divorce and have a domestic violence conviction on your record, you could be denied alimony and custody of your children. Protect your rights with the help of a violent crimes lawyer in San Diego from the Simmrin Law Group.
Get Help with Murder Charges in California
Murder – or the act of intentionally taking the life of another person – is considered the most serious violent crime in San Diego. Note that you must act intentionally to be convicted of murder in California. You should not face murder charges in cases involving accidental deaths.
Murder may be prosecuted in two different ways in San Diego.
Depending upon your situation, you could be charged with the following:
First-Degree Murder
Individuals who plan out a murder before carrying it out can be charged with first-degree murder. First-degree murder is considered more serious than second-degree murder. California can still use the death penalty in cases involving first-degree murder.
Second-Degree Murder
Second-degree murder charges are used if an individual intentionally kills someone else but does not plan their actions. Note that this charge should not apply if you are forced to kill someone in self-defense. A second-degree murder conviction could lead to life in prison.
Murder is a serious offense that could put you behind bars for life. You don’t want to face these charges without having a violent crimes attorney in San Diego on your side. Talk to the criminal defense lawyers at Simmrin Law Group as soon as possible about the charges levied against you, so your rights are protected.
California’s Three Strikes Law
Under California’s Three Strikes Law, any felony conviction for a violent crime counts as a strike on your record. As in baseball, once you receive three strikes, you are out. Three strikes on your record will result in a sentence of 25 years to life in prison.
The Three Strikes Law is highly controversial, and a movement has taken this law off the books since it was first enacted. One of the main points of contention is that some non-violent crimes can count as strikes if considered “serious” crimes. Some drug-related offenses can result in strikes.
Suppose a person has two prior convictions for non-violent strikes. In that case, a single felony conviction for a violent crime could result in being locked up for life through California’s Three Strikes Law. Even a more mild offense can cost you your life.
Speak with a San Diego Violent Crimes Lawyer Today
Make sure you are ready to handle a violent crime accusation in San Diego by contacting the Simmrin Law Group. It’s easy to reach us when you need legal advice. Just complete our online contact form or reach out by phone.
Speak with our San Diego violent crime lawyers to get a free case evaluation. A San Diego criminal attorney can collect evidence, review the charges, speak to witnesses, and build a defense to the charges on your behalf.