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Los Angeles Mayhem Attorney

Have you been arrested on mayhem charges in Los Angeles, California? This is a violent crime that is also a felony offense, meaning a conviction can result in life-altering penalties and consequences. However, it’s important to remember that you have rights and that you’re innocent until proven guilty.

The Rodriguez Law Group Los Angeles Criminal Defense Attorneys has defended the rights of those accused of crimes in Southern California since 1999. Our Los Angeles mayhem attorneys possess over 50 years of combined experience and have achieved “not guilty” verdicts for some of the most serious crimes in the California Penal Code. We’re a criminal defense law firm you can count on.

Contact us today at (213) 995-6767 to learn more about our legal services. We offer a free initial consultation to review your charges and offer preliminary legal advice.

How The Rodriguez Law Group Los Angeles Criminal Defense Attorneys Can Defend You Against Mayhem Charges in Los Angeles

The penalties the criminal justice system can impose if you are convicted of mayhem in Los Angeles, CA, are serious enough on their own. But when you consider the potential collateral consequences, it’s clear that your future freedom and more may be at stake. The prosecution already believes you are guilty and will go to great lengths to secure a guilty verdict; you’ll need an experienced attorney on your side to present an effective defense.

Our award-winning The Rodriguez Law Group Los Angeles Criminal Defense Attorneys have garnered recognition on national news outlets like Fox News, CNN, and many others. Our lead attorney, Ambrosio Rodriguez, is also a former prosecutor – which gives us significant insight into how the other side operates. When you hire us, we’ll provide you with comprehensive legal representation that doesn’t cut any corners. That means:

• Thoroughly looking into your charges and the prosecution’s case against you to formulate a plan of action
• Conduct substantial legal research to understand the defenses best suited to the facts of your case
• Negotiating with the government to have your charges dismissed or reduced if at all possible
• Bringing your case all the way to trial if the circumstances call for it

We strongly agree with the notion that everyone deserves a meaningful defense when they are charged with a crime. Call our law office in Los Angeles today to set up your free case review if you have any questions or would like to get started.

Mayhem Charges Under California Law 

There are three primary sections of the Penal Code that pertain to mayhem charges: 203 PC, 204 PC, and 205 PC. Others may apply as well, depending on the facts of the case. 

Penal Code 203 PC

Penal Code 203 PC states that a person is guilty of mayhem when they “unlawfully and maliciously deprives a human being of a member of his body, or disables, disfigures, or renders it useless, or cuts or disables the tongue, or puts out an eye, or slits the nose, ear, or lip.”

Penal Code 204 PC

Penal Code 204 PC establishes that mayhem is a felony offense that may be punishable by two, four, or eight years in prison.

Penal Code 205 PC

Penal Code 205 PC describes the offense of aggravated mayhem, which occurs when a person “unlawfully, under circumstances manifesting extreme indifference to the physical or psychological well-being of another person, intentionally causes permanent disability or disfigurement of another human being or deprives a human being of a limb, organ, or member of his or her body.”

Other Considerations

In some cases, other sections of the Penal Code may apply. For instance, if the alleged mayhem victim passes away, it’s possible that felony-murder charges could result under Penal Code 189 PC. 

California’s “three strikes” law might also apply if you have two previous serious or violent crime convictions on your criminal record. 

What Penalties and Consequences Can Result if I’m Convicted of Mayhem in Los Angeles, CA?

The penalties you face if convicted of mayhem will depend on many factors. The specific charges you’re up against, for instance, will play a significant role. Whether any aggravating factors are present, as well as whether you have a criminal record, could also influence the proceedings.

Charges under 204 PC can result in up to eight years in prison, whereas aggravated mayhem charges under 205 PC can lead to life in prison with the possibility of parole. And fines of up to $10,000 are possible in either case. 

These are just the default penalties, however. If the state’s “three strikes” law pertains to your case, you could face life in prison even if your charges only fall under 204 PC. The same is true for felony-murder charges under 189 PC. 

Collateral Consequences

You might experience additional consequences that go beyond the penalties discussed above if convicted of mayhem in Los Angeles. These include, but are not necessarily limited to, the following:

• Difficulty finding housing or employment
• Loss of reputation
• Loss of professional licenses
• Immigration issues, if applicable

These collateral consequences largely result from having a felony conviction on your criminal record.

What Defenses Can I Raise in Response to Mayhem Charges in Los Angeles, California?

Being charged with mayhem in Los Angeles is far from the same thing as being convicted. The prosecution must assert every element of your charges beyond a reasonable doubt, which is the highest burden of proof standard found in the law. This gives an experienced Los Angeles mayhem attorney significant room to work with.

Possible defenses you can raise include:

• You did not act unlawfully, intentionally, or maliciously, depending on the nature of your charges. Proving a state of mind requires significant evidence, and the prosecution may have fallen short of the required amount in your case.
• You were acting in self-defense or defending another person.
• You were falsely accused of the crime.
• Your constitutional rights were violated, such as an illegal search and seizure in violation of your Fourth Amendment rights.

Not all of these defenses will be available in every case. If you hire our criminal defense attorneys to represent you, we’ll be able to conduct a complete internal investigation into your charges. From there, we can determine which defenses will be the most pertinent in your specific situation.

Contact Our Los Angeles Mayhem Lawyers for a Free Consultation

If you were charged with the crime of mayhem in Los Angeles, California, you may be overwhelmed and not sure what your best course of action is. One of the best things you can do to protect your rights and interests is to contact a qualified Los Angeles mayhem lawyer for legal help.

At The Rodriguez Law Group Los Angeles Criminal Defense Attorneys, we understand these charges well and are highly familiar with the possible defenses you can assert in response. To the best of our ability, we won’t let the prosecution get away with securing a conviction.

Call today to learn more about how our criminal defense lawyers can help by setting up your free, no-risk case review.