Assault with a Deadly Weapon Defense Attorney in Los Angeles, CA, Represents Californians Facing ADW Charges in Los Angeles County, Orange County, Ventura County, and Throughout Southern California
The consequences of an assault with a deadly weapons charge can follow you for a lifetime. If you’re looking for a skilled criminal defense attorney serving L.A., look no further than the Law Offices of Christopher Chaney. With us on your side, you can feel confident that your legal rights will remain protected throughout the proceedings ahead.
Contact us today to get your questions answered during a free, confidential consultation.
Assault With a Deadly Weapon Charges in Los Angeles, CA
California law poses significant penalties for crimes of assault involving weapons. If convicted, you could serve jail time in an L.A. County jail or a state prison.
What Is an Assault with a Deadly Weapon Charge in L.A., California?
Assault with a deadly weapon, or ADW, is a charge involving a crime against a person. Under California Penal Code 245, assault with a deadly weapon is a criminal charge that involves the use of instruments like the following in a physical attack upon a person:
- .50 BMG rifles
- Machineguns
- Semiautomatic firearms
- Other types of firearms
- Deadly weapons or instruments other than firearms
- Any means of force considered “likely to produce great bodily injury”
The breadth of what can be considered a deadly weapon in California means that you could be charged with ADW if you are accused of actions such as:
- Hitting someone with a bottle, a pipe, a brick, or a gun (even if unloaded)
- Shooting someone with an air gun or a BB gun
- Stabbing someone with items ranging from knives to pool cues (sticks) and even pencils
- Attempting to run someone over with a car or other vehicle
- Kicking someone with steel-toe boots
- Punching, hitting, and kicking someone with such force that the impact would be considered likely to cause significant, potentially lethal damage
Although activity that constitutes an ADW charge must be willful, or intentional, you could still face these charges even if the alleged victim did not get injured.
Where to Find a Los Angeles Assault with a Deadly Weapon Lawyer
If you’re facing ADW charges in Southern California, you don’t have to look far to find an experienced attorney who can help. At the Law Offices of Christopher Chaney, our defense attorneys represent clients all over Los Angeles County.
From our office locations in Century City and Van Nuys, we serve clients in every region of L.A., including:
- Greater Hollywood
- Crescenta Valley: La Cañada Flintridge, Montrose, Briggs Terrace, and Crescenta Highlands
- Downtown L.A.: Arts District, Financial District, Industrial District, Skid Row, Little Tokyo, and Historic Core
- Eastside: East Los Angeles, Lincoln Heights, Boyle Heights, and El Sereno
- Harbor Area: the Port of Los Angeles, Long Beach, Harbor City, Harbor Gateway, San Pedro, and Wilmington
- Northeast L.A.: Atwater Village, Cypress Park, Eagle Rock, Montecito Heights, Glassell Park, Highland Park, and Mount Washington
- Northwest L.A.: Angelino Heights, Echo Park, Elysian Park, Historic Filipinotown, Silver Lake, Westlake, and Franklin Hills
- San Fernando Valley: San Fernando, Glendale, Burbank, Hidden Hills, Calabasas, and Universal City
- South L.A.: Compton, Inglewood, View Park–Windsor Hills, West Athens, Westmont,
- Florence-Graham, and Willowbrook
- Westside: Beverly Hills, Malibu, Santa Monica, Culver City, Marina del Rey, and Ladera Heights
- Central Los Angeles: Central City, Central City North, Central City East, Wilshire, Koreatown, and Chinatown
A knowledgeable Los Angeles assault with a deadly weapon lawyer can help you prepare a strong defense against the serious charges that are hanging over your head.
Penalties for Assault With a Deadly Weapon Charges in L.A.
If you’ve been charged with ADW in California, the consequences are serious. The minimum sentence for assault with a deadly weapon in California under Penal Code 245 is a term of six months to one year in county jail. Convictions on more serious violations may result in more than a decade of imprisonment. You may also be facing a fine of up to $10,000.
Sentences for ADW charges depend on the type of force or weapon used and whether the victim was a peace officer or firefighter.
- Assaults that involve machineguns, .50 BMG rifles, and assault weapons carry the longest sentences, with prison terms of four, eight, or even 12 years.
- Offenses that involve the use of semiautomatic firearms are the next most serious, with prison terms of three, six, or nine years.
- ADW charges that involve other types of firearms could send you away for two to four years in state prison or six months to one year in county jail.
- Assaults with deadly weapons other than firearms or with means of force that are likely to cause “great bodily injury” are punishable by two to four years in state prison or one year in county jail.
If the victim was a peace officer or firefighter, penalties amount to six to 12 years for crimes involving machine guns and assault rifles and five to nine years for crimes involving semiautomatic firearms. Assaults against peace officers and firefighters using other types of firearms can lead to jail terms of four to eight years, while crimes involving other types of weapons or force can result in three to five years of imprisonment.
Under California law, you could face jail time for an ADW charge even if the victim did not suffer significant injuries. However, the severity of the injuries may affect whether you receive shorter or longer jail terms within the ranges established in Penal Code 245.
Assault with a deadly weapon charges are sometimes filed in conjunction with charges like attempted murder. If you’ve been accused of ADW, with or without other charges, you need an experienced assault with a deadly weapon defense attorney in Los Angeles, CA, fighting for you.
Contact a Los Angeles Assault with a Deadly Weapon Lawyer Today at the Law Offices of Christopher Chaney for a Confidential, Free Consultation
The charges against you put your freedom and your future at risk. You don’t have to face the legal process alone. In fact, you shouldn’t. Having skilled representation on your side helps to ensure your legal rights are protected throughout criminal proceedings and improves the likelihood of a more favorable outcome.
For help from an assault with a deadly weapon defense attorney in Los Angeles, CA, contact the Law Offices of Christopher Chaney online or call (310) 209-3999 today.
