Assault and Battery
Assault and battery are separate offenses that are often charged together. These cases may turn on whether there was a threat of violence, physical contact, consent, self-defense, or the defense of another person.
Assault with a Deadly Weapon
Assault with a deadly weapon may be charged when someone is accused of acting in a way likely to result in force while using a deadly weapon or force capable of causing great bodily injury. These matters often depend on whether a weapon or deadly force was used, whether the act was willful, and whether self-defense applies.
Criminal Threats
Threats to kill or seriously injure another person may lead to criminal threats claims when they are intended to cause sustained fear or public panic. These statements may be made verbally, in writing, or through electronic communication such as texts or emails.
Kidnapping
Kidnapping refers to moving another person a substantial distance without consent and through force or fear. These cases often focus on movement, consent, identity, intent, and whether the accused person had lawful authority or a valid defense.
Malice Aforethought and Premeditation
Malice aforethought refers to the intent required for murder under California law, while premeditation concerns whether the act was planned in advance. These issues often arise in homicide cases involving questions of intent, self-defense, accident, coercion, or the evidence gathered during the investigation.
Murder
Murder is generally defined as the unlawful killing of a human being or fetus with malice aforethought. These cases require careful review of the evidence, witness testimony, police conduct, possible defenses, and the prosecution’s ability to prove each element beyond a reasonable doubt.
Robbery
Robbery is the taking of personal property from another person or their immediate presence through force or fear. These cases often depend on witness accounts, the circumstances of the encounter, and whether the alleged taking was supported by evidence of force or intimidation.
Simple Assault
Simple assault generally concerns a threat or attempt to touch or strike another person in an offensive manner, even when no contact occurs. These cases often turn on intent, reasonable fear, imminent harm, consent, self-defense, mistaken identity, or accident.