According to Penal Code 667.5, any number of offenses are considered violent crimes in California. Murder, assault, sexual assault, and armed robbery are examples of some that are predictable. You might be startled to find that additional crimes, such different varieties of robbery, abduction, carjacking, extortion, and mayhem, are regarded by California law as violent acts.
Any violent felony conviction in California can have major, permanently altering effects on your life. Because of this, it is crucial that you speak with a criminal defense lawyer as soon as you can after being accused of a violent crime. A skilled attorney can preserve your legal rights, your freedom, and assist you through the complex legal system. Contact Chambers Law Firm at 714-760-4088 to get started.
Criminal punishment for violence
As was already said, violent crime is extensively defined under California law. Each of the violent crimes on the list carries a potential jail sentence and penalties of its own. But if you are found guilty, you could also have to deal with more severe penalties.
You could face sentencing enhancements
In situations involving violent crimes, the main worry is that the prosecutor would ask for a sentence increase. Depending on the specifics of your case, an enhancement could be introduced to lengthen your jail term. This is typically done because to your past criminal history or a factor in the current case.
For instance, if the victim sustained serious physical harm, the punishment may be increased by three to six years. The penalty might be enhanced by up to 10 to 20 years if you utilized a gun while committing the crime. If there is any indication that the offense you were accused of involved gang activities, the prosecution may ask for a gang enhancement, which carries a mandatory 15-year to life sentence.
You could face a Strike
Another notable feature of California is its “three strikes” rule. If you have three qualifying criminal offenses on your record, you will be sentenced to at least 25 years in jail and as much as life in prison under this statute. For the purposes of this statute, a conviction for a violent offense counts as a strike. If you are freed and then charged with a felony in another instance, it will also probably result in future sentencing increases.
You could face consequences after prison
After being released from prison, finding work can be extremely difficult if you have been convicted of a violent crime since you will probably have to tell potential employers about your conviction. Someone with a criminal history that involves a violent crime can find it difficult to land a job. You will probably also be permanently prohibited from possessing a firearm.
It is crucial that you retain a skilled criminal defense attorney since the repercussions for being found guilty of a serious offense might be so severe. Chambers Law Firm in provides tenacious, highly trained legal counsel. In order to build the strongest legal and factual defenses against the alleged crime, our experts will thoroughly research your case. We then strive to get the charges dropped or reduced before trial. Chambers Law Firm is a great option for anybody facing violent crime accusations since it has expertise managing all sorts of criminal matters, including violent crime. To arrange a free first consultation, get in touch with our office at 714-760-4088 or dchambers@clfca.com right now.
