Riverside Violent Crime Defense Lawyers on Your Side

Riverside Violent Crime Defense Attorney

A violent crime conviction in Riverside or San Bernardino can mean steep fines, probation, mandatory classes, years in state prison, or, for the most serious charges, the death penalty. Our attorneys have defended clients against the full spectrum of these charges, from assault and domestic violence to murder and attempted murder. Our goal in every case is to pursue a dismissal or acquittal when the facts and law support it. When that isn’t achievable, we fight for lesser charges and reduced penalties.

Our former district attorneys understand how Riverside County prosecutors build their cases, which gives us a meaningful perspective in building yours. We know California’s Three Strikes law and the gang sentencing enhancements that can add years or decades to an already serious sentence. Under California Penal Code Section 186.22, gang enhancements require the prosecution to prove that the underlying offense was committed for the benefit of, at the direction of, or in association with a criminal street gang, and that the defendant acted with specific intent to promote, further, or assist in criminal conduct by gang members. Challenging whether those elements are properly alleged is a critical part of defense strategy in many Riverside cases. Philip Greenberg began his career as a deputy district attorney before moving to criminal defense, and Charles Kenyon has litigated more than 300 preliminary hearings and more than 100 criminal trials. That depth of experience shapes how we approach every case.

The scope of our practice includes defending against charges such as:

• Assault and Battery—Even a relatively minor altercation can result in a jail sentence and a criminal record. Assault covers the use of force or violence against another person, including threatening gestures, shoves, brandishing a weapon, or verbal threats. Battery is actual physical contact causing injury. Depending on the circumstances and degree of harm, you could face misdemeanor charges carrying up to one year in jail, or felony charges with a prison sentence of 16 months or longer.
• Child Abuse—Allegations of child abuse or child endangerment carry extremely serious consequences. Child endangerment includes reckless driving with a child in the vehicle, driving under the influence with a child present, or leaving a young child home alone. Child abuse includes striking, shoving, cruel punishment, or causing any physical injury to a child. A felony child abuse conviction can carry up to six years in prison and a fine of up to $6,000. Child endangerment is a “wobbler” offense and can be charged as either a felony or a misdemeanor: up to one year in jail as a misdemeanor, or up to six years in state prison as a felony.
• Domestic Violence—Domestic violence charges can range from shouting and shoving to serious assault and battery. Virtually any altercation involving physical force or verbal threats of harm between spouses, former spouses, live-in partners, dating partners, parents, siblings, children, or other family members can be charged as domestic violence. Depending on the circumstances, charges can be a misdemeanor or a felony. A misdemeanor conviction can result in up to one year in jail; a felony conviction can mean years in state prison and a “strike” under California’s Three Strikes law.
• Manslaughter—A fatal accident caused by driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs can result in felony DUI manslaughter charges. A fatality resulting from excessive speed, reckless driving, or gross negligence behind the wheel can be charged as vehicular manslaughter. Involuntary manslaughter applies when an intentional act results in an unintended death, such as an assault that proves fatal.
• Murder—California recognizes multiple categories of murder, including first-degree murder, second-degree intentional murder, gang-related homicide, domestic violence murder, conspiracy or accomplice liability, and death occurring during the commission of another crime. As the most serious violent crime charge, the penalties can range from decades in prison to the death penalty. Having a highly experienced Riverside violent crime defense attorney in your corner from the start can make a significant difference.
• Attempted Murder—To prove attempted murder, prosecutors must establish that you took at least one concrete step toward killing another person and that you intended to do so. A conviction can result in life in prison depending on the circumstances. We may argue that you were falsely accused, that you acted in self-defense, or that the prosecution can’t establish the intent required to sustain the charge.
• Arson—California defines arson as a willful or malicious act that causes the burning of property, whether a home, business, structure, or land. Charges fall into two categories: arson (willfully and maliciously setting fire to property) and reckless burning (a reckless act resulting in burning). Penalties range from years in state prison to life in prison depending on the circumstances.
• Robbery—Robbery is a felony distinct from burglary or theft because it involves force or the threat of force against another person. First-degree robbery carries a sentence of three to six years in state prison, or up to nine years if committed in concert with others. Second-degree robbery carries two to five years. Carjacking carries three to nine years. Robbery is a strike offense under California law, and using a firearm during a robbery can add ten years to the sentence; discharging one can add twenty.
• Weapons Violations—California enforces strict penalties for illegal use or possession of firearms. Prosecutors routinely add weapons charges to other offenses such as drug crimes or robbery, compounding the potential penalties. Weapons violations can include illegal possession of a firearm, possession of an assault weapon, illegal sale of firearms, or use of a deadly weapon during the commission of a crime. California’s definition of “deadly weapon” is broad; in some cases, even a fist can qualify.
• Kidnapping—Kidnapping penalties vary significantly based on the victim’s age, the degree of force used, the distance traveled, and other factors. Kidnapping is defined as forcibly moving another person a substantial distance. In some cases, a kidnapping charge can be reduced to false imprisonment, which includes conduct like locking someone in a room, forcing someone into a vehicle, or cutting off communication.