Redwood City Violent Crimes Lawyer

Were you recently accused of committing a violent crime in Redwood City, CA? These offenses are punished harshly. An experienced Redwood City violent crimes lawyer can make a world of difference in your case. Contact Ahmed & Sukaram, Attorneys at Law today for immediate legal assistance at (650) 299-0500.

With over 30 years of combined experience, our lawyers have helped countless clients beat criminal charges. You can count on us to build the most aggressive legal defense possible in your case.

California prosecutors take violent crimes seriously–and so should you. Get the legal representation you deserve by calling our law offices in Redwood City, California to schedule a free consultation today.

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How Ahmed & Sukaram, Attorneys at Law Can Help if You Were Arrested for a Violent Crime in Redwood City

A conviction for a serious violent crime can impact every aspect of your life. Your career, personal relationships, and even your physical freedom are on the line. If you’ve been charged with a violent offense, you need an experienced Redwood City criminal defense lawyer in your corner.

Our lawyers at Ahmed & Sukaram, Attorneys at Law have a proven track record of success. We’ve been recognized by the National Trial Lawyers and as Super Lawyers “Rising Stars.” Our team includes a California Bar Certified Criminal Law Specialist with years of experience handling sensitive criminal matters.

When you trust our team with your defense, you’ll have a skilled attorney to:

Protect your constitutional rights
Search for exculpatory evidence that can prove your innocence
Identify weaknesses in the prosecution’s case
Work with leading experts to interpret evidence and have tainted evidence excluded
Help you understand the consequences of any plea bargain
Work to have your case dismissed or charges dropped if possible
Aggressively advocate on your behalf in front of a judge and jury if necessary

Our Redwood City criminal defense attorneys will do everything we can to secure a not guilty verdict and clear your name if you were charged with a crime. Call our law firm to schedule a free initial consultation to learn more.

Overview of Violent Crimes in California

There are many different types of violent crimes in California. Regardless of the exact charges, you need an experienced criminal lawyer who can build the most effective defense strategy possible.

At Ahmed & Sukaram, Attorneys at Law, we often represent clients charged with:

Murder
Manslaughter
Assault
Aggravated assault
Assault with a deadly weapon
Child abuse
Child endangerment
Child pornography
Domestic violence
Sexual assault and other sex crimes
Robbery
Kidnapping
False imprisonment
Stalking and harassment
Carjacking
Weapons offenses
Crimes involving a firearm
Arson
Probation violations

If you were charged with a violent crime, don’t hesitate to reach out to our experienced criminal defense attorneys for a free case review today.

Murder

Murder is one of the most serious violent crimes you can be accused of committing. California Penal Code Section 187 PC defines murder as taking another person’s life with malice aforethought.

The “malice” element of the crime can be either express, meaning that you intended to kill someone, or implied, meaning that you acted without substantial provocation.

To win a homicide conviction, state prosecutors must also prove the following elements:

You committed some type of act that demonstrated a wanton disregard for human life
That act was likely to cause someone’s death
You had no legal justification for the act (such as self-defense)

You’ll face first-degree murder charges if:

The murder was premeditated, willful, and deliberate
The murder was committed using a weapon of mass destruction, destructive device or explosive, or certain other types of ammunition
You used armor, poison, lying in wait, or torture to commit the murder
You discharged a firearm from a motor vehicle and intended to kill someone

Felony murder is also first-degree murder. You can be charged with felony murder if:

The victim was a peace officer who was on duty
The murder happened while you were committing or attempting to commit another serious felony
You aided and abetted the killing or were a “major participant” in the act

Murder under other circumstances is second-degree murder.

Manslaughter

Voluntary manslaughter is a lesser charge that’s often brought in homicide cases. Manslaughter is typically the charge when you’re accused of killing someone without malice or premeditation.

For example, you might face manslaughter charges if you’re accused of killing someone in the heat of passion or while committing a misdemeanor-level crime.

Aggravated Assault and Battery

Aggravated assault charges apply under California Penal Code Section 243(d) PC in situations where you commit battery and cause serious bodily injury.

“Serious bodily injury” is defined as any serious impairment of the victim’s physical condition, including:

Loss of consciousness
Broken bones
Concussions
Protracted loss or impairment of the function of any bodily member or organ
Wounds that require extensive sutures
Serious disfigurement

Based on that definition, the victim doesn’t need to seek medical care for the injury to be classified as serious.

Domestic Assault and Battery

Domestic violence is taken seriously in the state of California. You could face domestic violence charges if you’re accused of inflicting “corporal injury” that causes a traumatic injury on someone with whom you share a domestic relationship.

Domestic violence charges apply in criminal cases where the victim is a:

Spouse or former spouse
Current or former dating partner or fiance
Parent of your child
Cohabitant or former cohabitant

Corporal injuries can include damage to internal organs, external injuries, or injuries caused by strangulation or suffocation.

Assault with a Deadly Weapon

California courts are particularly serious about offenses involving weapons and other firearms.

You can be convicted of assault with a deadly weapon under California law if prosecutors can prove:

You committed assault
The offense involved a firearm or another weapon capable of causing death

The severity of the charge depends on the severity of the injuries involved. However, you can also be charged with assault with a deadly weapon if you didn’t cause any injury, but your acts had a high probability of causing injury.

What Are the Penalties for Violent Crimes in Redwood City, California?

Violent crimes carry harsh penalties in California.

The exact punishment will depend on many factors, including:

The criminal charges you’re facing
Your prior criminal history
The severity of the injuries involved
Whether a weapon was involved
The victim’s identity
Various other aggravating and mitigating factors

The three strikes law in California can also increase the length of your prison sentence. You could even be sentenced to life in prison.

Examples of the penalties you could face if convicted include:

Three, six, or 11 years in California state prison for voluntary manslaughter
Between 15 years and life in prison for second-degree murder or felony murder
Between 25 years and life in prison for first-degree murder
Up to eight years in prison for sexual assault
Up to four years in prison for assault with a deadly weapon

If your assault charges involve a firearm, you could be sentenced to a minimum six-month prison sentence even if the charge was a misdemeanor offense.

What Collateral Consequences Apply if I’m Convicted of a Violent Crime?

A criminal conviction always carries collateral consequences.

In addition to potential jail time or a prison sentence, you could face:

Financial penalties
Probation
Supervised parole after you’re released from prison
Sex offender registration requirements if convicted of a sex crime
A lasting criminal record, which can make it difficult to find housing or employment
Problems with immigration status
Deportation
Loss of child custody or visitation rights
Loss of your right to own a firearm
Loss of voting rights
Court-ordered anger management classes or counseling

Cases involving domestic battery also carry enhanced penalties. You could be ordered to contribute money to a battered women’s shelter or comply with the terms of a restraining order.

What Defenses Can Be Raised if I’m Accused of a Violent Crime in California?

You don’t have to let the district attorney win your case without a fight. In fact, a strong defense is the only way to clear your name and minimize the consequences of a violent criminal charge.

While each case is different, defenses that can work in your case might include:

Lack of the required intent to commit a crime
Challenges to witness credibility
Challenges to DNA evidence and other forensic evidence
Defenses involving innocence, including false allegations, mistaken identity, or an alibi
Self-defense or the justifiable defense of another person
Constitutional violations, including illegal search and seizure and Miranda violations

Police officers and prosecutors have to play by the rules. If they make a mistake, our lawyers can file a motion to have evidence excluded from consideration in your case. That can make it much more difficult to convict.

Don’t trust your case to a lawyer who only has experience handling cases involving personal injury or white-collar crimes. At Ahmed & Sukaram, Attorneys at Law, our Redwood City violent crimes attorneys have years of experience developing effective defense strategies for our clients.

Schedule a Free Consultation With a Redwood City Violent Crime Lawyer

It’s important to start building your legal defense immediately if you’ve been accused of committing a violent crime. If you’re facing criminal charges, contact an experienced Redwood City violent crime lawyer at Ahmed & Sukaram, Attorneys at Law for a free consultation today.

You can also contact one of our violent crime lawyers in San Jose.