San Fernando Violent Crimes Lawyer

San Fernando Violent Crimes Attorney

Being accused of a violent crime can have a negative impact on a person’s reputation and relationships, and a conviction can have serious consequences, including jail time, steep fines, parole, and a criminal record that can make life harder long after the trial. If you are facing violent crime allegations in San Fernando, a violent crimes lawyer at the Law Offices of James E. Silverstein can provide legal counsel to protect your interests and your freedom.

Violent Crimes in San Fernando

California’s crime rate has been elevated since the COVID-19 pandemic. The most recent report shows that violent crime has increased by 15.4% since 2019. Crime was up overall in the Los Angeles area last year but down in San Fernando, including an 18% decrease in burglaries.

The overall crime rate in San Fernando is 25.38 crimes per 1,000 residents. For every 1,000 residents, 3.85 violent crimes are reported, which is lower than both the national median of 4 and the state rate of 5.08. While this is fairly low, areas close to Pacoima tend to be hot spots. Common violent crimes in San Fernando include aggravated assault and robbery, while rape and murder occur less frequently.

San Fernando certainly isn’t the roughest neighborhood in the Los Angeles area, but gang activity tends to be high, as evidenced by the tagging on Glenoaks Boulevard and San Fernando Road. In October 2024, 68 defendants were charged with drug trafficking, illegal possession of firearms, and fraud related to a white supremacist gang.

Criminal Defense Lawyers

A skilled defense attorney provides legal counsel and representation to defendants who have been charged with a criminal offense. By meticulously reviewing the facts of the case and making notes regarding any factors that can influence the defense, the attorney builds a personalized legal defense strategy based on the case details and the defendant’s unique circumstances.

When looking for a violent crimes lawyer, the most important factor to consider is a proven record of success in cases like yours in San Fernando. Successfully defending violent crimes requires an aggressive approach, a firm understanding of the expectations and proceedings at the Van Nuys Courthouse, and firsthand knowledge of the tactics that prosecutors and judges are likely to employ.

Successful violent crime lawyers are skilled in negotiating, have extensive resources for research and investigation, and devote the individual time and attention each case requires. It is important to have an attorney who is responsive and keeps each client informed about their case, answers questions, and explains the law in clear, understandable terms. For violent crime charges, there is absolutely no substitute for experience.

Legal Defense Strategies

A strong defense strategy starts with the knowledge that the burden of proof is on the prosecutor. Good defense attorneys create a sense of doubt about the prosecution’s argument, and they do this by challenging evidence, providing context, and presenting alternative evidence. While each case is unique, there are some common strategies that can help increase the chances of a successful outcome in your case when applicable. 

• Self-defense/defense of others: If a person has a good cause to believe that they are in imminent threat of harm, they can use a reasonable amount of force to protect themselves or someone else. The key point of this defense strategy is that there must have been a good reason to believe they were about to be seriously hurt and that the force used must have been in proportion to the perceived threat.
• False allegations: This can mean that no crime was actually committed, a crime was committed, but you were not the person who took the unlawful action, or there was a misunderstanding or misrepresentation of the event that occurred.
• Alibi: This defense shows that you could not have committed the crime because it was not possible for you to be at the scene at the moment the crime occurred. The most effective evidence for the alibi defense is documentation like GPS, phone records, or video footage.

FAQs About San Fernando Violent Crimes Law

How Much Does a Criminal Lawyer Cost in California?

The cost to hire a criminal lawyer in California can vary, depending on several details. These include the specific charge, the complexity of the case, whether the defendant has a prior record of violent crime convictions, and the strength of the evidence in the case. There may also be court fees and other expenses. Make sure to ask your lawyer about their expectations about fees, fee structure, and payments when you meet with them at your initial consultation.

What Are the Four Types of Violent Crimes?

The four types of violent crime are murder and manslaughter, forcible rape, robbery, and aggravated assault. These are umbrella categories that are used to monitor violent crime in specific locations and the US as a whole, and under each, there are distinct related charges. Typically, aggravated assaults account for the highest number of reported violent crimes, followed by robbery, rape, and then murder.

What Is Considered a Violent Crime in California?

A violent crime in California is a crime that involves a serious threat or physical injury to another person or uses a deadly weapon. Common charges include assault, battery, burglary, carjacking, sexual assault, rape, domestic violence, robbery, arson, kidnapping, manslaughter, murder, and extortion. Violent crimes are generally charged as felonies but may be charged as federal crimes in cases that involve multiple states or federal agencies.

What Is the Most Common Violent Crime?

The most common violent crime in California and in the US is usually aggravated assault, which means an attack on another person while using a firearm or other deadly weapon or displaying a weapon in a threatening manner or where the other person sustains severe physical injury. In some cases, aggravated assault may be a misdemeanor, but it is often a felony, and subsequent convictions can have increasingly harsh penalties.

Schedule a Legal Consultation

At the Law Offices of James E. Silverstein, we know that a defense attorney’s job is not defending criminal acts but defending the legal rights everyone is entitled to under the US Constitution. Every defendant is presumed innocent until the prosecution proves otherwise, and every defendant has the right to a fair trial. Contact our office right away to learn your legal options.