Santa Rosa Violent Crimes Lawyer

Types of Violent Crimes

Violent crimes are characterized as criminal acts involving the use or threat of violence. In most cases, in order for a criminal act to be charged as a violent crime, there must be serious physical harm, aggression, or malicious intent involved. If no one was hurt, you can still be charged for a violent crime, if there is evidence that you were attempting to cause harm to another person. This is why serious property destruction like arson is often considered a violent crime.

Our defense lawyer has handled a wide variety of violent crime cases in Santa Rosa, CA, including:

Violent Crime Penalties in Sonoma County

Sonoma County, like all of California, follows the state's penal code for sentencing.

• Assault: Assault can be charged as a misdemeanor or felony depending on the severity. Misdemeanor assault carries jail time up to a year, while felony assault can lead to several years in prison.
• Battery: Similar to assault, battery can be a misdemeanor or felony with penalties ranging from a few days in jail to several years in prison.
• Arson: Arson is a serious felony with potential sentences of several years to life in prison, depending on factors like property damage and injuries.
• Manslaughter: Manslaughter can be voluntary or involuntary. Voluntary manslaughter carries prison terms of up to 11 years, while involuntary manslaughter can result in up to 4 years.
• Murder: Murder is the most serious crime with penalties of life in prison without the possibility of parole or a death sentence (though capital punishment is rarely applied in California).
• Armed Robbery: This is a serious felony with potential sentences of several years to life in prison.
• Theft: The severity of theft charges depends on the stolen property's value. Petty theft (under $950) is a misdemeanor, while grand theft (over $950) is a felony with harsher penalties.
• Violent Sex Crimes: Rape, sexual assault, and other violent sex crimes are felonies with potential sentences ranging from several years to life in prison.

We cannot overstate how important it is to retain an attorney immediately the moment you are arrested. Law enforcement officials and prosecutors are working hard to build a case against you. You need an attorney to get started working on your case too.