Orange County Violent Crimes Lawyer

Law enforcement is dedicated to reducing the crime rate and has organized task forces specifically aimed to convict those who commit violent crimes. With unlimited government resources at their disposal, law enforcement agencies and the District Attorney’s Office aggressively undertake the task of ensuring that formal charges subsequently lead to a conviction.

Ordinarily crimes against a person, violent crimes are offenses that involve the use of force or the threat of force to a purported victim. Common examples of violent crimes are robbery, rape, murder, and domestic battery with corporal injury. Several factors are considered by prosecutors when determining how to charge someone. These factors include: whether a weapon was used; the extent of injuries; the relationship between the parties; motivation; and the planning and sophistication for the offense(s).

Violent crimes in California have some of the most severe punishments in the country. An experienced Orange County Violent Crimes Attorney must understand the tactical procedure and felony sentencing scheme and guidelines. Our office provides exceptional advice and effective representation to clients accused of all types of violent crime in Orange County, including:

• Arson – Penal Code 451 PC
  
• Assault – Penal Code 240 PC
  
• Battery – Penal Code 242
  
• Burglary – Penal Code 459
  
• Murder – Penal Code 187
  
• Robbery – Penal Code 211
  
• Rape – Penal Code 261
  
• Kidnapping – Penal Code 207 PC
  
• Vehicular Manslaughter – Penal Code 192(c) PC
  
• Assault with a Deadly Weapon – Penal Code 245(a)(1) PC

Overview of California’s Three Strike Laws

Contrary to popular belief, not all felonies are categorized as “strike” offenses. Instead, either serious felonies or violent felonies are regarded as strike offenses. An underlying crime may qualify as a strike – e.g., robbery or murder. However, a non-strike felony could amplify into a strike offense if certain aggravating factors apply – e.g., injuries resulted in great bodily injury or the crime was carried out for the benefit of a criminal street gang. Consequently, a felony will double in the future for someone who has previously been convicted of a strike offense. California follows the three-strike sentencing scheme where a person faces a mandatory 25 to life sentence if convicted of three consecutive strikes. Accordingly, retaining an experienced and respected criminal lawyer is an absolute necessity when faced with severe consequences.

Defending Violent Charges in Orange County, CA

Our office is devoted to conducting a thorough investigation into the facts and evidence of every case. Moreover, this requires questioning and interviewing all the prosecution witnesses, obtaining and testing all physical evidence, and mounting a defense early on.

Typically, defending violent crimes falls within certain common defense categories, including:

• lacking the intent to commit the offense by the product of misfortune or accident.
• You were acting in self-defense against the aggressor or were acting to defend another.
• You were mistakenly identified as the perpetrator or witnesses falsely identified you because of false or tainted memory.
• The evidence against you is not legally sufficient to prove you committed a crime beyond a reasonable doubt.

Consult with an Orange County Violent Crimes Lawyer

If you have been accused of a violent crime, you need to consult with an experienced Orange County criminal defense lawyer to discuss your options and start mounting your defense. Not every attorney handles violent charges due to the stakes being so high. Thus, if you’re at the center of a serious allegation, a qualified and respected attorney can make matters right. To schedule a free and confidential case evaluation, contact us today.

Our office has extensive experience representing clients who have been charged with murder, kidnapping, assault, battery, and other violent related crimes in Orange County Superior Court. We have an unmatched understanding of California’s sentencing laws and will explore every pertinent fact when mounting your defense.