Violent Crime Defense · Chula Vista
Violent Crime Defense Attorney in Chula Vista
Assault, battery, and other violent charges carry serious penalties. Get a defense that investigates every detail and protects your freedom.
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- 5.0 rating
- 151 reviews
- Bilingual — Se habla español
- Direct attorney access
- 24/7 text response
You are not alone
We've walked people through this since 1983.
A fight, a bad night, or a story told one-sided can turn into a violent crime charge. The penalties are severe and the pressure is real. We investigate what actually happened before anyone writes the ending.
What's at stake
The next moves matter.
Convictions can bring years in custody, a strike on your record, and lasting damage to your name. The evidence, the witnesses, and the question of self-defense all matter, and we press every one.
How we defend it
The defense we build for you.
- We investigate the scene, the witnesses, and the injuries.
- We raise self-defense and defense of others where the facts support it.
- We challenge exaggerated charges and unreliable testimony.
- We fight to reduce charges and avoid a strike on your record.
Assault & battery in Chula Vista
Assault and battery are separate charges with different elements under California law. We break down what you're actually accused of, examine every witness statement and injury, and build a defense grounded in what really happened — including self-defense when the facts support it.
How it works
Three steps to get your footing back.
- 01
Request your free strategy consultation.
Tell us what happened. No obligation, no judgment.
- 02
We build your defense.
We dig into the facts, the law, and every possible defense.
- 03
We protect your record and your future.
We fight to reduce or drop the charges — and keep your life on track.
“Richard treated my son's case like it mattered. He explained every step in Spanish for my mom, in English for us, and got the charges reduced. We can breathe again.”
How California treats assault and battery
Assault and battery are two different charges in California, and people often confuse them. Assault under Penal Code 240 is an attempt or threat to hurt someone. Battery under Penal Code 242 is actual unwanted physical contact. Both start as misdemeanors, but they escalate fast. Battery that causes serious injury, or assault with a deadly weapon under Penal Code 245, can be charged as a felony with prison exposure. Some violent felonies count as "strikes" under California's Three Strikes law, which makes future cases far more severe. That's why an aggressive early defense matters so much. What the evidence really shows, whether you acted in self-defense, and how the injuries are described can move a case from a felony toward a misdemeanor or a dismissal.
What to do first
In a violent crime case, the story gets written early. Make sure yours is part of it.
- Don't give a statement to police without your attorney.
- Write down what happened, including anything that shows you were defending yourself.
- Note any witnesses and save any messages or video.
- Don't contact the other person involved.
- Call us so we can investigate before the other side's version sets.
Serious defense in Chula Vista courts
We defend assault, battery, and other violent charges in the South Bay Division of San Diego County Superior Court in Chula Vista. These cases carry heavy penalties and sometimes a strike, so they need real investigation, not a quick plea. We've defended clients across Chula Vista, National City, Bonita, and Imperial Beach since 1983, and we press every angle, from self-defense to unreliable witnesses.
FAQ
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Free strategy consultation · Bilingual · Since 1983
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Free strategy consultation. Call or text 24/7. Weekend appointments available.
- · Direct attorney access
- · Bilingual — Se habla español
- · Reasonable fees
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