Los Angeles weapons attorney | deadly weapon defense lawyer Los Angeles

CALIFORNIA WEAPONS CHARGES

Guns · Firearms · Concealed Weapon

Los Angeles Criminal Defense Attorney
California Criminal Attorney

California Weapons Charges are Serious and Come with Jail Time

We represent people charged with the following Gun and other Weapons Offenses:

Possessing a Gun (concealed, loaded or otherwise with no permit)
Possessing a Firearm by an Ex-Felon (concealed, loaded or otherwise with no permit)
Possessing an Assault Weapon
Possessing a Weapon ((illegal weapons include knives, daggers, brass knuckles, nunchucks and other martial arts weapons)
Brandishing a Firearm
Discharging a Firearm
Selling a Firearm (unlawful sale)
Using a Gun in Committing a Crime (assault, robbery, drug offenses)

Weapons are not just guns.

California criminal law defines “deadly weapon” very broadly and includes weapons listed above plus many more items, including box cutters and tear gas, or even keys, a car, or your own fist if used to harm someone.

California Gun Law
Gun/weapon charges are aggressively prosecuted in California. Most carry the prospect of jail time (or state prison), expensive fines, and a criminal record that may make it difficult to obtain employment and housing.

In general, a weapons offense is a felony under California law, but possession can be charged as a misdemeanor in some cases. The penalties will vary depending on a number of circumstances:

The type of weapon involved
What was being done with it
If it was loaded and/or concealed
The individual’s criminal record, drug record or drug use at the time of arrest
Any other factors that might affect the sentence

California uses a “determinate” sentencing system to offer different levels of punishment depending on the nature of the crime.

With a felony weapons offense and sentenced to prison, the judge will choose from three prison terms—“low-term,” “mid-term,” and “high-term.” For example, for an assault with an assault weapon, the low-term is four years in prison, mid-term is eight years and high-term is twelve years. With no criminal record, the sentence would most likely be four years.

For a misdemeanor (such as carrying a concealed weapon with no prior convictions), the maximum allowable sentence is a fine and up to one year in county jail.

Defenses for Weapons Charges
Many weapons arrests are based on evidence collected during searches, seizures and witness interrogations. If the police illegally searched you, your home or your car; or they illegally obtained testimony against you; a skilled attorney can get the evidence thrown out of court on constitutional grounds.

An experienced California criminal defense attorney also investigates if the gun or other weapon was used in:

Self-defense or defending property,
Protecting yourself or someone from a life-threatening crime (murder or rape), or
An accident (lack of intent)

Talk to an Experienced California Criminal Lawyer
If you’ve been arrested and charged with a weapons offense in the Los Angeles area, you need an experienced California criminal defense attorney with a successful track record.

Stephen G. Rodriquez and his associates will focus on getting you the most favorable disposition using a variety of proven techniques and defenses, including:

Making all necessary court motions including “motions to suppress evidence”
Interviewing all witnesses connected to your case
Gathering evidence in support of your defenses
Seeking a reduction of the charges
Negotiating a favorable plea (if necessary)
Preparing for trial
Seeking alternative sentencing such as house arrest/electronic monitoring, work furlough, weekends in jail, community service

Call us immediately if you’re facing a weapons charge. We’ll arrange for a free consultation to discuss the specific facts of your case.

Please contact us for a FREE CONSULTATION

Law Offices of Stephen G. Rodriguez
633 West 5th Street
26th Floor
Los Angeles, California 90071

Telephone
(213) 223-2173

Los Angeles criminal defense attorneys Stephen G. Rodriguez and Associates represent clients in the Los Angeles county area, which include, Airport Courthouse, Alhambra Superior Court, Antelope Valley Court, Bellflower/Cerritos Courthouse, Beverly Hills Court, Burbank Courthouse, Catalina Courthouse, Central Arraignment Court, Central Civil West Courthouse, Chatsworth Court, Criminal Courts Building/Clara Shortridge Foltz Criminal Justice Center, Compton Superior Court, Culver City Court, David V. Kenyon Juvenile Justice Center, Downey Courthouse, Eastlake Juvenile Court, East Los Angeles Court, El Monte Courthouse, Glendale Courthouse, Hollywood Court, Inglewood Courthouse, Inglewood Juvenile Courthouse, Long Beach Superior Court, Los Padrinos Juvenile Courthouse, Central District Court (Downtown Los Angeles Federal Court), Malibu Court, Mental Health Courthouse, Metropolitan Courthouse, Norwalk Superior Court, Pasadena Superior Court, Pomona Courthouse North, Pomona Courthouse South, Redondo Beach Courthouse, San Fernando Court, San Pedro Court, San Pedro Courthouse Annex, Santa Clarita Court, Santa Monica Court, Stanley Mosk Courthouse, Sylmar Juvenile Court, Torrance Superior Court, Van Nuys Courthouse East, Van Nuys Courthouse West, West Covina/Citrus Court, West Los Angeles Court, and Whittier Superior Court.

Some of the terms that pertain to our practice include, but are not limited to: dui, child abuse, identity theft, drunk driving, fraud, domestic violence, grand theft, felony, kidnapping, narcotics, robbery, misdemeanors, restraining order, TROs, arrest warrant, theft, hit and run, vandalism, arson, shoplifting, stalking, cyber stalking, embezzlement, burglary, extortion, bench warrant, expungement, criminal threats, sex crimes, solicitation, probation violation, suspended license, carjacking, gun weapon, attempted murder, petty theft, alternative sentencing, lewd conduct, drug possession, clear criminal record, juvenile offense, seal juvenile records, prostitution, rape, bail, criminal appeal, assault, battery, attempted murder, solicitation for prostitution, criminal threats, trespass, commercial burglary, residential burglary, theft crimes, credit card fraud, violent crimes, proposition 36, perjury, murder, attempted murder, three strikes, prostitution, rape, statutory rape, receiving stolen property, forgery, vandalism, weapons, gun charges, vehicular manslaughter, disorderly conduct, drug diversion, DEJ, grand theft, grand theft auto, house arrest, electronic monitoring, marijuana, conspiracy, petty theft with prior, attempt crimes, drug offenses, bribery, blackmail, child abuse, and bench warrant.