California Street Crimes Defense Attorneys
Street crime charges in California encompass a broad range of offenses including assault, battery, robbery, theft, weapons charges, and gang-related allegations. These charges can carry substantial prison sentences, particularly when gang enhancements under Penal Code Section 186.22 are alleged.
At Smilove & Rosenblum APC, we provide vigorous defense for clients facing street crime charges throughout California. We understand the tactics prosecutors use and build strategic defenses to protect our clients’ rights and freedom.
Types of Street Crime Cases We Handle
Our firm defends clients charged with assault and battery (Penal Code 240-243), robbery (Penal Code 211), theft and burglary offenses, weapons charges including concealed carry and possession of prohibited weapons, gang-related charges and gang enhancements, vandalism and property crimes, resisting arrest (Penal Code 148), and disturbing the peace (Penal Code 415).
Gang Enhancement Allegations
One of the most serious aspects of street crime charges is the potential application of gang enhancements under California’s Street Terrorism Enforcement and Prevention (STEP) Act. A gang enhancement can add 2, 5, 10, 15, or even 25 years to life to a sentence. Recent reforms under AB 333 have raised the evidentiary bar for proving gang enhancements, requiring prosecutors to show a pattern of criminal gang activity with more specificity. Our attorneys are experienced in challenging gang enhancement allegations and leveraging these recent legal changes.
Defense Strategies
Every street crime case has unique facts and potential defenses. Our approach includes challenging eyewitness identifications, which are notoriously unreliable, reviewing surveillance footage and physical evidence, investigating the circumstances of arrest for constitutional violations, challenging the prosecution’s gang expert testimony, presenting evidence of self-defense or defense of others, negotiating plea agreements to lesser charges when appropriate, and preparing for trial when a favorable outcome cannot be reached through negotiation.
Protecting Your Future
A criminal conviction can affect every aspect of your life, including employment, housing, educational opportunities, immigration status, and professional licensing. We fight not just for the best legal outcome but to minimize the long-term impact on your future.
Free Consultation
If you are facing street crime charges, contact Smilove & Rosenblum APC at (800) 300-3226 or request a consultation online. The earlier you involve an attorney, the better positioned we are to protect your rights.