Sacramento Gun Violence Attorneys
Were You Charged with a Violent Gun Crime?
Can I Use A Firearm in Self-Defense in California?
In California, there are a number of laws that prohibit firing a gun for any reason, whether the intended target is a person, animal, or object, and whether or not the intent was to harm or kill someone.
Despite this, California doesn’t forbid the use of a firearm in self-defense when you have a reasonable fear of impending danger.
Provided there is such an impending danger, California Penal Code Section 198.5 permits using a firearm when:
- You know or have a reason to believe an intruder illegally entered your home.
- You have a reasonable fear that the intruder will harm or kill you or someone else in your household.
- No one in your home provokes the intruder to elevate the danger.
Is California A Castle Doctrine State?
California is a castle doctrine state, which means that those inside a home have no duty to retreat from the situation when an intruder is in the home. If you used a firearm in self-defense inside your home, our gun violence attorney in Sacramento may be able to help you mitigate or eliminate the charges against you.
Schedule a consultation with us today by calling (916) 318-5177or contacting our attorneys online.
Violent Gun Crime Penalties & Consequences in California
California punishes those convicted of violent firearms offenses very seriously. If you are convicted of a violent gun crime in California, you can expect to spend several or many years of your life incarcerated in prison.
Any jail or prison sentence one receives can be accompanied by fines of up to $10,000. In certain cases, people convicted of these offenses may be ordered to pay restitution to a victim or victim’s family in addition to a fine.
While these are the immediate consequences one can face as a result of a violent gun crime conviction, they will likely other consequences as well, such as the following:
- Losing the right to own firearms
- U.S. visa denial, revocation of a Green Card, deportation, and other immigration consequences
- Losing of any professional licenses, including those that permit the practice of law, medicine, etc.
- Difficulty finding an apartment or home to rent
- Facing disqualification for university financial aid
- Losing the ability to enlist in the military
- Losing the ability to vote while incarcerated or on parole
- Losing the right to serve on a jury
Contact Us for Legal Assistance!
Avoiding incarceration and any of these other consequences is possible when you get help from an experienced gun violence attorney in Sacramento. We at Gonzales Law Office can provide the legal support you need to defend against your charges.
Reasons to Choose Gonzales Law Office
An Unwavering Drive to Fight for the Accused
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Licensed to practice in all California and Federal courts
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Featured in an article on Fox40 for our commitment to the law and impressive legacy
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Super Lawyers® Rising Stars℠ and rated Top 40 Under 40 by the National Trial Lawyers
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Attended drug & alcohol recognition training for a Drug and Alcohol Recognition P.O.S.T Certificate
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Former police officer with experience in the DUI Unit at the Public Defender’s Office
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A dedicated trial lawyer with an undefeated record of results for 2016, 2017, 2018, and 2019