Los Angeles Weapons Violation Lawyers
Representation for People Accused of Weapons Violations
In California, laws involving the possession, brandishing, and use of different kinds of weapons can be quite complicated. While you might believe you are simply possessing a weapon of some kind, it could be construed as brandishing a weapon by others and you could suddenly find yourself under arrest accused of a serious crime. The moment you are taken into custody, it is vitally important that you get a defense attorney to represent your best interests and fight for you.
If you or a loved one has been charged with any kind of weapons violation, you need to immediately hire an attorney to defend against such charges. It is very important to have an attorney present when talking to police, especially during a formal interview or interrogation. Trying to defend yourself in court is one of the best ways to ensure you are convicted and face the most serious penalties possible.
You deserve an experienced attorney to give you a proper defense, so call the Los Angeles violent crime defense lawyers at Werksman Jackson & Quinn LLP at (213) 688-0460 today.
Types of Weapons Violations
There are many different types of weapons violations and various degrees of penalties associated with each type. Depending on the circumstances of your arrest, particularly what law enforcement and prosecutors claim happened, you could be facing significant repercussions, including jail time. Some of the more common types of weapons violations include:
- Possession – Simply possessing a weapon can be a criminal offense in some situations. Firearms, for example, have numerous restrictions on who can possess them. Minors, anyone with a felony conviction, and people suffering from mental illness are all restricted from possessing a firearm in California.
- Brandishing – This is the act of having a weapon out around other people and holding it in a way that is considered rude or threatening. While you might think you are simply holding your lucky pocket knife, a police officer can argue you were brandishing it in a threatening way.
- Use of a Weapon – Non-violent use of certain weapons can result in a criminal charge. Firing any firearm, for example, is typically illegal unless at a range or similar location. Even just throwing a knife in the wrong situation could result in a weapons violation charge.
- Violent Crimes – Use of a weapon in any kind of violence is typically the most aggressively prosecuted form of weapons violation. So long as you can legally possess such a weapon, however, you can use it to protect yourself. But the police are not always concerned about whether you used a weapon for self-defense or to attack someone else.
Penalties for Weapons Violations
Penalties for weapons violations depend on exactly what you have been charged with. In any situation, however, a conviction can have serious consequences beyond just the direct penalty. A felony conviction can follow you for the rest of your life and impact your future employment and housing prospects.
Some penalties for weapons violations include:
- Serious fines
- Time in jail
- Time in prison
- Loss of rights due to felony conviction
- Restrictions on future firearm ownership
Providing a Strong Defense
Fortunately, being charged with a weapons violation is not the end of the world, so long as you hire an experienced attorney to defend you against the charges. The proper defense will depend on your situation and should be tailored to what happened and how you were charged. Some common defenses, however, can include proving you were using a weapon only for self-defense, or that your actions did not meet the definition of the crime you are charged with.
Call us Today!
If you have been arrested for a weapons violation, it is vital that you start protecting your rights immediately. Contact Werksman Jackson & Quinn LLP today at (213) 688-0460 to discuss your options and make sure you are properly defended.
Additional Information
Contact Werksman Jackson & Quinn LLP Today
Phone: (213) 688-0460 
Fax: (213) 624-1942
Recent Case Results
- Complete Dismissal of Molestation Charges
Attorney Mark Werksman’s 29 year old client was falsely accused of molesting two neighborhood children and was subsequently charged with felony child molestation, with a significant prison sentence hanging over his head should he be convicted. Instead, at the preliminary hearing Werksman was able to convince the court to grant his client a complete dismissal of any charges. - Decision Set Aside
Client, a college student in a faulty Title IX case, was awarded $130,000 in attorney fees. - Probation with No Jail Time for Drug Money Laundering Charge
Wilmington man accused in New York federal court of laundering drug money through the sale of laptop computers. Mark was able to get the case transferred to federal court in Los Angeles, where he convinced the United States Attorney to reduce the charges. His client was sentenced to probation with no jail time on a misdemeanor conviction.
