Assault with a deadly weapon is one of the most complicated crimes you can be charged with in California. A conviction of assault with a deadly weapon carries severe penalties. Beating these charges requires representation by a skilled and knowledgeable California criminal defense attorney.
Understanding Assault with a Deadly Weapon Charges
Penal code 245(a) (1) is a “wobbler” offense under California law, meaning it can be charged as a felony or misdemeanor. How you will be charged will depend on the circumstances of the case and your prior criminal history. A felony carries more severe punishment. That is why it is important that you retain the services of an experienced Riverside defense lawyer before charges are filed. Your attorney may be able to negotiate with prosecutors so that you will only face misdemeanor charges.
If you are convicted of felony assault with a deadly weapon charges, you face up to four years in state prison. In addition, a conviction is considered a strike offense under California’s Three Strikes law. If you are convicted of three strike crimes, you could face 25 years to life in prison.
Misdemeanor assault with a deadly weapon carries a sentence of up to 364 days in county jail.
How to Defense Assault with a Deadly Weapon Charges
If you are facing assault with a deadly weapon charges in Riverside, the best way to obtain a favorable result is to speak to an experienced criminal defense attorney. An attorney with experience defending these types of cases may be able to help you by making sure that you are only charged with misdemeanor assault with a deadly weapon, or defend you so that you do not face this severe punishment at all.
Our skilled lawyers know the valid legal defenses to this crime. In the past, our lawyers have used many different defenses successfully. We understand how to use these valid defenses to help you in your case, and we may be able to help you avoid the severe consequences of a conviction of assault with a deadly weapon under PC 245(a)(1).
Call the Riverside Criminal Defense Attorneys at Wallin & Klarich
If you are facing charges of assault with a deadly weapon in Riverside, you will need an experienced criminal defense attorney helping you. At Wallin & Klarich, our skilled Riverside attorneys have been successfully defending our clients facing assault with a deadly weapon charges for over 30 years. We’ve helped thousands of clients receive favorable outcomes in their cases, and we can help you too.
Call our offices today at (888) 280-6839 to speak to one of our experienced Riverside criminal defense attorneys. We will be there when you call.