Practice area – Violent Crimes
Charged with a violent crime in Riverside County?
Murder, attempted murder, assault, ADW, robbery, gang. The state will throw everything it has at you. You need someone who’s been on their side of the table.
Available 24/7
What you’re facing
Violent crime charges carry California’s harshest penalties: life sentences for first-degree murder, 25 to life for special circumstances, and multi-year enhancements for firearm use, great bodily injury, or gang allegations. Most violent felonies are also Strike Offenses, meaning a conviction permanently doubles your exposure on any future case. Riverside County prosecutors come at these aggressively, with the full resources of the state behind them.
Defenses I build
Every violent crime case has weak points the DA’s office doesn’t want you to find. I dig into the investigation — witness reliability, identification procedures, body cam, forensics, the chain of custody on every piece of evidence. I challenge unlawful searches and Miranda violations to suppress what shouldn’t be in court. I negotiate from a position of strength because I know — from years inside the DA’s office — what they can and can’t prove. When negotiation fails, I take cases to trial.
Violent Crimes Case Results
Charged With
1st Degree Murder w/ Firearm – Facing LWOP
Outcome
Manslaughter, 17 Years
Violent – Riverside Co.
Charged With
Assault w/ Deadly Weapon + Great Bodily Injury
Outcome
NOT GUILTY
Violent – Riverside Co.
Charged With
Take-Over Robbery, Kidnapping, 3 Strikes – Multiple life counts
Outcome
12 Years
Violent – Riverside Co.
Charged With
1st Degree Murder w/ Knife – 25 to Life
Outcome
Manslaughter, 11 Years
Violent – Riverside Co.
Charged With
Attempted Murder + Firearm + Gang – Facing Life
Outcome
12 Years
Violent – Riverside Co.
Charged With
ADW + Robbery + GBI + Gang Affiliation
Outcome
NOT GUILTY
Violent – Riverside Co.
Charged With
Attempted Murder – Facing 7 yrs to Life
Outcome
Misdemeanor, Time Served
Violent – Riverside Co.
Common Questions
What counts as a violent crime in California?
California defines violent crimes broadly: murder and attempted murder, assault and assault with a deadly weapon (Penal Code 245), robbery and armed robbery, kidnapping, criminal threats, and any offense resulting in great bodily injury. Many include gang or firearm enhancements that stack additional years on top of the base sentence. Most are also Strike Offenses, meaning the conviction follows you for life and doubles your exposure on any future felony.
Why hire a former prosecutor for a violent crime case?
I spent years at the Riverside County DA’s office prosecuting cases just like yours. I know how prosecutors build them, where they overcharge to leverage a plea, and which evidentiary weaknesses they hope nobody notices. When I sit across from the DA on your case, I’m reading the same playbook I used to write. That inside knowledge changes the calculus on every plea offer and every motion.
Can a violent crime charge be reduced or dismissed?
Often, yes. The prosecution typically charges aggressively to leverage a plea, but the actual evidence rarely supports the worst charge. My recent results include first-degree murder reduced to manslaughter, attempted murder with gang enhancement reduced to 12 years, and ADW with great bodily injury beaten outright at trial. The right defense starts the moment you call — ideally before charges are filed.
Types of Violent Crime Charges I Defend
Every violent crime charge carries its own statute, exposure, and defense strategy. Below are the offenses I handle most often in Riverside County courts.
Murder (PC 187)
The unlawful killing of a human being with malice aforethought. First-degree murder carries 25 to life — life without parole or the death penalty with special circumstances. Every murder charge is a Strike Offense.
Attempted Murder (PC 664/187)
An attempt to kill another person, even when the act fails. Penalty: 7 years to life, or 15 to life if the alleged target is a peace officer or firefighter. I have reduced these to misdemeanor outcomes.
Manslaughter (PC 192)
A lesser homicide charge than murder. Voluntary (heat of passion) carries 3, 6, or 11 years. Involuntary carries 2, 3, or 4 years. Many of my murder-charge clients have ended up here.
Assault & Battery (PC 240, 242)
Assault is an unlawful attempt — with present ability — to commit violent injury. Battery is the actual unlawful use of force. Base charges are misdemeanors; battery with serious bodily injury becomes a wobbler.
Assault with a Deadly Weapon (PC 245)
An assault committed with a deadly weapon or by means likely to cause great bodily injury. Wobbler — chargeable as misdemeanor or felony. The felony version is a Strike Offense.
Armed Robbery (PC 211)
Taking property from a person by force or fear, with firearm or weapon enhancements that can add 10 years, 20 years, or 25 to life on top of the base sentence. Strike Offense.
Kidnapping (PC 207)
Moving another person by force or fear. Base charge 3, 5, or 8 years. Aggravated kidnapping — with a child, with bodily harm, or for ransom — can carry life. Strike Offense.
Criminal Threats (PC 422)
Threatening to commit a crime that would cause death or great bodily injury, made with specific intent and producing reasonable fear. Wobbler; the felony version is a Strike Offense.
Gang Enhancements (PC 186.22)
An allegation that the offense was committed in association with a criminal street gang. Adds significant time on top of any base sentence. These allegations are often disputable.
Three Strikes and Violent Crimes
Most violent felonies are designated as Strike Offenses under California’s Three Strikes Law. A strike conviction:
- Doubles the sentence on any future felony conviction
- Triggers 25 years to life if it becomes your third strike
- Can be challenged through a Romero motion to strike a prior
If you’re facing a charge that could become a strike, the long-term consequences extend well beyond the immediate case. Learn more about strike defense →
