Experienced Defense Against Violent Crimes in Sonoma County
One of the most serious types of crimes that you can be accused of is a violent crime, which carries severe legal consequences. Without a knowledgeable and experienced Santa Rosa violent crimes attorney on your side, you are putting your freedom and future in the hands of law enforcement, the jury, and the judge.
If you or a loved one has been arrested for a violent crime, it is vital that you take quick action to hire a skilled Santa Rosa violent crime attorney.
Why Choose Us?
- 2015 list of Super Lawyers® Rising Stars℠
- Aggressive, client-focused defense
- 1,000s of criminal cases and proven results
- Available 24/7 to answer your calls
At the Law Offices of Evan E. Zelig, we are dedicated to providing our clients with aggressive, high-quality representation. Every case matters to us, which is why we take the time to get to know you and your goals in order to better serve your legal needs. Get the most up-to-date defense strategies and our in-depth knowledge of criminal law on your side. Whether you have been charged with assault and battery or homicide, you can call us 24/7 for trusted counsel.
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:
- Assault
- Battery
- Arson
- Manslaughter
- Murder
- Armed robbery
- Theft
- Violent sex crimes
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.
Our Santa Rosa violent crimes lawyer takes calls 24/7. Feel free to contact us at (707) 636-3204 to learn more.