Lompoc Violent Crimes Attorney

Being charged with a violent crime in Lompoc can feel like your entire life is being destroyed—but you’re not alone, and you have options. Whether you’re dealing with assault and battery charges from fights at bars or domestic incidents, domestic violence allegations from partners or spouses, aggravated assault with deadly weapons, attempted murder charges, manslaughter or vehicular manslaughter from fatal accidents, murder allegations carrying 25 years to life or LWOP, gang-related violence charges with enhancements adding decades, hate crime allegations, robbery involving force or fear, carjacking, kidnapping charges, elder abuse involving violence, assault on peace officers, or serious violent felonies triggering California’s Three Strikes law and mandatory prison sentences, understanding California’s violent crime laws is the first step toward protecting your freedom, avoiding life sentences, and preserving any possibility of a future in Lompoc where violent crime convictions result in decades in state prison, permanent violent felony strikes following defendants for life, and destruction of everything including employment at Vandenberg Space Force Base, custody rights, and any chance of rebuilding life in this close-knit community.

At Central Coast Criminal Defense, we’ve defended Lompoc residents against violent crime charges since 2010. We know the Santa Barbara County courts, the judges at Lompoc Superior Court on North H Street who handle the most serious criminal cases, the prosecutors in the District Attorney’s Major Crimes Unit who aggressively pursue maximum sentences, and—most importantly—we know how to fight for results that protect what matters most: your freedom through acquittals or dismissals when charges are based on false allegations or weak evidence, reduced charges avoiding violent felony strikes when evidence supports lesser offenses, demonstrated self-defense when you acted to protect yourself or others from attack, negotiated resolutions avoiding life sentences when circumstances warrant mitigation, and aggressive trial defense when prosecution seeks to destroy your life through convictions carrying decades in state prison that would eliminate any possibility of returning to Lompoc, seeing your family, or having any semblance of normal life ever again.

What Are Violent Crimes in California?

Violent crimes in California encompass offenses involving use of force, violence, or threat of violence against victims, ranging from simple misdemeanor assault to first-degree murder carrying 25 years to life or life without possibility of parole (LWOP). California Penal Code defines numerous violent offenses with varying penalties: simple assault (PC 240) is misdemeanor up to 6 months jail for attempting to use force on another, battery (PC 242) is unlawful touching carrying similar penalties, assault with deadly weapon (PC 245(a)(1)) is felony carrying 2-4 years prison or more with enhancements, domestic violence (PC 273.5) involves corporal injury to intimate partners carrying up to 4 years prison, robbery (PC 211) is taking property through force or fear carrying 2-9 years or more if armed, murder (PC 187) is unlawful killing with malice aforethought carrying 25 years to life for first-degree or 15 years to life for second-degree, manslaughter (PC 192) involves unlawful killing without malice carrying 3-11 years, attempted murder (PC 664/187) carries 15 years to life if premeditated, carjacking (PC 215) is taking vehicles through force carrying 3-9 years, and kidnapping (PC 207) carries 3-8 years or 5 years to life with enhancements. Most critically, many violent crimes are classified as “serious” or “violent” felonies under California’s Three Strikes law, meaning convictions count as strikes that double sentences on future felonies and can result in 25 years to life on third strike regardless of offense severity—making violent crime convictions devastating not just for immediate sentences but for lifetime consequences where single violent felony strike follows defendants forever.

In Lompoc and throughout Santa Barbara County, violent crime charges commonly arise from bar fights at establishments along Ocean Avenue where altercations escalate into assault or battery, domestic violence incidents at Lompoc residences when partners or spouses call police alleging physical abuse, gang-related violence when Lompoc gang members are accused of assaults or shootings, DUI causing injury or vehicular manslaughter when drivers cause fatal accidents on Highway 1, robberies at Lompoc businesses or residences, assaults at Lompoc High School or Cabrillo High School, mutual combat situations where both parties engaged in fighting but one files charges, self-defense scenarios where defendants acted to protect themselves from attackers but face charges, road rage incidents escalating to violence, and false allegations in domestic situations where vindictive partners fabricate abuse claims for tactical advantages in custody disputes or divorces. Violent crime prosecutions at Lompoc Superior Court on North H Street are handled by experienced prosecutors in Santa Barbara County District Attorney’s Major Crimes Unit who aggressively seek maximum sentences, enhancements for weapon use or great bodily injury, gang allegations adding 10 years to life, and violent felony strike convictions that follow defendants for life under Three Strikes law. Prosecution of violent crimes involves forensic evidence including medical records documenting injuries, photographs of victims and scenes, witness testimony, surveillance videos, recorded statements from defendants, and expert testimony from medical professionals, gang experts, and forensic specialists—but many cases rely heavily on victim and witness testimony that can be challenged through cross-examination when allegations are false, exaggerated, or witnesses are unreliable.

What many people charged with violent crimes in Lompoc don’t understand is that these cases often involve strong defenses including self-defense when defendants reasonably believed they faced imminent danger and used proportional force to protect themselves, defense of others when defendants protected third parties from attack, mutual combat when both parties willingly engaged in fighting negating criminal liability for consensual altercations, false allegations from alleged victims with motivations including revenge, custody advantages, or criminal culpability they seek to shift to defendants, insufficient evidence when medical records don’t support serious injury claims or witnesses contradict prosecution’s theory, accident when injuries occurred unintentionally without criminal intent, and reasonable doubt when prosecution cannot prove beyond reasonable doubt that defendants committed alleged acts. Additionally, many violent crime charges involve overcharging where prosecutors file most serious possible charges—attempted murder instead of assault, robbery instead of theft, great bodily injury enhancements when injuries were minor—and aggressive negotiation can result in charge reductions eliminating violent felony strikes, enhancements, and decades of prison exposure. California also recognizes imperfect self-defense reducing murder to voluntary manslaughter when defendants genuinely but unreasonably believed deadly force was necessary, heat of passion reducing murder to manslaughter when killings occurred in response to adequate provocation, and diminished capacity affecting mental state elements. Without aggressive representation that investigates thoroughly to uncover evidence supporting self-defense or false allegations, retains experts challenging medical evidence and gang allegations, presents compelling defendant testimony at trial, cross-examines witnesses exposing inconsistencies and credibility problems, and fights through trial when necessary to avoid unjust convictions, you risk decades in state prison for conduct that was self-defense or based on false allegations, permanent violent felony strikes eliminating any possibility of probation or reduced sentences if you ever face charges again, and destruction of your entire life where violent crime convictions mean never returning to Lompoc community, never seeing family except through prison glass, and spending prime years or remainder of life in state prison for conduct that shouldn’t result in convictions if properly defended with aggressive advocacy focused on exposing truth rather than accepting prosecution’s narrative.

• Legal Definition: Violent crimes involve use of force, violence, or threat of violence ranging from misdemeanor simple assault (PC 240) carrying 6 months jail to first-degree murder (PC 187) carrying 25 years to life or LWOP, with serious and violent felonies including assault with deadly weapon (PC 245(a)(1)) carrying 2-4 years prison, robbery (PC 211) carrying 2-9 years, domestic violence (PC 273.5) carrying up to 4 years, and attempted murder (PC 664/187) carrying 15 years to life if premeditated, with most violent crimes classified as strikes under Three Strikes law doubling future sentences and resulting in 25 years to life on third strike.
• Why It’s Devastating: Violent crime convictions result in decades in state prison for serious offenses, life sentences for murder and attempted murder, permanent violent felony strikes following defendants for life doubling future sentences, great bodily injury enhancements adding 3-6 years, gang enhancements adding 10 years to life, immediate loss of firearm rights, destruction of employment prospects including termination from Vandenberg Space Force Base, permanent loss of child custody when violence alleged, immigration consequences including deportation for aggravated felonies, and elimination of any possibility of probation, diversion, or reduced sentences making even minor future offenses result in decades in prison under Three Strikes.
• Common Situations: Bar fights at Ocean Avenue establishments escalating to assault or battery charges, domestic violence incidents at Lompoc residences when partners call police, gang-related violence accusations, DUI causing injury or vehicular manslaughter on Highway 1, robberies at Lompoc businesses, fights at Lompoc High School or Cabrillo High School, mutual combat situations, self-defense scenarios where defendants acted to protect themselves, road rage incidents, and false allegations in domestic situations where vindictive partners fabricate abuse claims for custody or divorce advantages.

CRITICAL: Do not speak to police or anyone about violent crime allegations without attorney present. Violent crimes carry life sentences and permanent strikes. Self-defense claims require immediate investigation. Call +1 (805) 621-7181 IMMEDIATELY if accused or under investigation—your entire life is at stake.

Violent Crimes We Defend in Lompoc

We defend clients against all violent crime charges in Lompoc, Santa Barbara County, and surrounding areas. Here are the offenses we handle:

Assault and Battery

• Simple Assault (PC 240)
  Attempting to use force or violence on another person | Penalties: Misdemeanor up to 6 months jail, fines, often from bar fights or altercations on Ocean Avenue
• Battery (PC 242)
  Unlawful touching or use of force on another person | Misdemeanor: 6 months jail maximum, challenge injury claims, demonstrate consent or self-defense
• Assault with Deadly Weapon (PC 245(a)(1))
  Assault with weapons or force likely to produce great bodily injury | Serious: Felony 2-4 years prison, violent strike, challenge weapon allegations and force used
• Assault with Firearm (PC 245(a)(2))
  Assault using firearms | Enhanced: 2-4 years plus firearm enhancements, violent strike, challenge firearm use and intent
• Aggravated Battery (PC 243(d))
  Battery causing serious bodily injury | Felony: 2-4 years prison, challenge great bodily injury claims through medical evidence

Domestic Violence

• Corporal Injury to Spouse (PC 273.5)
  Inflicting corporal injury on intimate partners at Lompoc residences | Penalties: Felony up to 4 years prison, protective orders, challenge false allegations and self-defense
• Domestic Battery (PC 243(e)(1))
  Battery against intimate partners | Misdemeanor: 1 year jail maximum, 52-week batterer’s program, fight false allegations from vindictive partners
• False Domestic Violence Allegations
  Fabricated abuse claims in custody disputes or divorces | Defense: Expose tactical motivations, challenge credibility, demonstrate mutual combat or false claims
• Child Abuse (PC 273d)
  Inflicting corporal punishment or injury on children | Serious: Felony 2-6 years prison, CPS involvement, permanent custody loss, fight allegations aggressively

Robbery

• Robbery (PC 211)
  Taking property from person through force or fear at Lompoc businesses or residences | Severe: Second-degree 2-5 years, first-degree 3-9 years, violent strike, challenge force and fear elements
• Armed Robbery
  Robbery while armed with firearms or weapons | Most serious: 3-9 years plus 10-year firearm enhancement, fight weapon use and intent
• Carjacking (PC 215)
  Taking vehicles from persons through force or fear | Extremely serious: 3-9 years state prison, violent strike, challenge force element reducing to theft
• Home Invasion Robbery
  Robbery occurring in inhabited Lompoc residences | First-degree: 3-9 years, enhanced sentences, fight entry and force elements

Murder and Manslaughter

• First-Degree Murder (PC 187)
  Premeditated and deliberate killings | Life sentence: 25 years to life or LWOP, fight premeditation element reducing to second-degree
• Second-Degree Murder (PC 187)
  Unlawful killings with malice but not premeditated | Penalties: 15 years to life, violent strike, pursue manslaughter reductions when evidence supports
• Felony Murder
  Killings occurring during felonies like robberies or burglaries | First-degree: 25 years to life, challenge felony-murder rule application under recent reforms
• Voluntary Manslaughter (PC 192(a))
  Unlawful killing in heat of passion or imperfect self-defense | Penalties: 3-11 years prison, significant reduction from murder, demonstrate adequate provocation
• Involuntary Manslaughter (PC 192(b))
  Unlawful killing without malice through criminal negligence | Penalties: 2-4 years prison, fight intent element, demonstrate accident or lack of criminal negligence
• Vehicular Manslaughter (PC 192(c))
  Unlawful killing through negligent or unlawful driving on Highway 1 or Lompoc roads | Penalties: Vary by circumstances, DUI vehicular manslaughter carries up to 10 years, fight causation

Attempted Murder and Mayhem

• Attempted Murder (PC 664/187)
  Attempting to kill another person with direct steps toward completion | Severe: 15 years to life if premeditated, 5-9 years if not, violent strike, fight intent and premeditation
• Attempted Voluntary Manslaughter
  Attempting to kill in heat of passion or imperfect self-defense | Reduction: Significant from attempted murder, 1.5-5.5 years prison, demonstrate provocation or self-defense belief
• Mayhem (PC 203)
  Unlawfully and maliciously disabling or disfiguring victims | Serious: Felony 2-8 years prison, violent strike, challenge intent and disfigurement elements

Gang-Related Violence

• Gang Enhancements (PC 186.22(b))
  Violent crimes committed for benefit of criminal street gangs in Lompoc | Devastating: Adds 10 years to life to sentences, violent crimes get 10 years, serious violent get 15 years to life
• Gang Murder
  Murders committed for gang benefit | Life sentence: 25 years to life plus 15 years to life gang enhancement, fight gang allegations aggressively
• Active Participation in Gang (PC 186.22(a))
  Active participation in criminal street gang | Penalty: 16 months-3 years prison, challenge gang membership and pattern of criminal activity evidence
• Gang Assault
  Assaults for gang benefit in Lompoc | Enhanced: 10-year gang enhancement on top of assault sentences, challenge gang expert testimony

Sexual Violence and Kidnapping

• Kidnapping (PC 207)
  Forcibly moving persons substantial distance against will | Penalties: 3-8 years prison, 5 years to life with enhancements, violent strike, challenge movement element
• Kidnapping for Robbery or Ransom (PC 209)
  Kidnapping to commit robbery or extortion | Life sentence: 5 years to life with 15 years minimum parole eligibility, extremely serious
• Rape by Force (PC 261)
  Non-consensual intercourse through force or fear | Severe: 3-8 years prison, lifetime sex offender registration, violent strike, challenge consent and force
• Forcible Sexual Penetration (PC 289)
  Sexual penetration against will through force or fear | Serious: 3-8 years prison, lifetime registration, violent strike, aggressive defense essential

Elder Abuse

• Elder Abuse with Great Bodily Injury (PC 368(b)(1))
  Physical abuse of elderly victims causing serious injury | Enhanced: 2-4 years prison, elder abuse enhancement adds 3-5 years, challenge injury severity
• Elder Abuse – Physical (PC 368)
  Inflicting unjustifiable physical pain or injury on elders | Penalties: Felony 2-4 years prison, challenge intent and injury elements

Assault on Peace Officers

• Assault on Peace Officer (PC 241(c))
  Assault on police officers, firefighters, or emergency personnel in Lompoc | Enhanced: Felony 16 months-3 years prison, higher penalties if injury, challenge officer status and assault
• Battery on Peace Officer (PC 243(b)/(c))
  Battery on law enforcement officers | Penalties: Misdemeanor or felony, 16 months-3 years if injury, fight allegations aggressively
• Resisting Arrest with Violence (PC 69)
  Resisting arrest with force or violence against officers | Felony: 16 months-3 years prison, challenge force element and lawfulness of arrest

Hate Crimes

• Hate Crime Enhancements (PC 422.75)
  Violent crimes motivated by victim’s race, religion, sexual orientation, or protected characteristics | Enhanced penalties: Additional 1-4 years prison on top of underlying violent offense, challenge bias motivation evidence
• Hate Crime Assault
  Assault motivated by bias against protected groups | Strategy: Challenge bias motivation element, demonstrate alternative motives for conduct

Self-Defense and Defense of Others

• Self-Defense Claims
  Defendants acted to protect themselves from imminent danger | Complete defense: Demonstrate reasonable belief in danger, proportional force used, pursue acquittals
• Defense of Others
  Defendants protected third parties from attack | Defense: Similar to self-defense, demonstrate reasonable perception of danger to others
• Imperfect Self-Defense
  Defendants genuinely but unreasonably believed deadly force necessary | Reduces murder to manslaughter: Significant reduction in sentences, demonstrate genuine belief
• Mutual Combat
  Both parties willingly engaged in fighting | Defense: Negates criminal liability for consensual altercations, demonstrate mutual willingness

Charged with violent crime in Lompoc? These charges carry decades in prison and permanent strikes. Self-defense requires immediate investigation. Do not speak to police. Call +1 (805) 621-7181 IMMEDIATELY—your freedom and entire life depend on aggressive defense from day one.

What’s at Stake: Consequences of Violent Crime Convictions

Violent crime convictions don’t just mean prison—they destroy your entire life permanently and irreversibly. Here’s what you face:

⚠️ Life sentences and permanent strikes destroy everything. Violent crimes carry decades in prison and eliminate any possibility of normal life. Call immediately for emergency violent crime defense before speaking to police.

Why Hiring an Attorney for Violent Crimes Is Essential

Demonstrating Self-Defense Through Investigation and Evidence

Self-defense is complete defense to violent crime charges resulting in acquittals when defendants reasonably believed they faced imminent danger of harm and used proportional force to protect themselves—but proving self-defense requires immediate investigation, evidence gathering, and witness interviews before memories fade and evidence disappears. We establish self-defense by immediately investigating crime scenes photographing injuries to defendants showing they were victims not aggressors, interviewing witnesses who saw alleged victims initiate violence or threaten defendants, obtaining medical records documenting defendant injuries supporting self-defense claims, gathering surveillance videos from businesses on Ocean Avenue or Lompoc residences showing who was aggressor, preserving text messages or communications where alleged victims threatened defendants before incidents, documenting prior violence by alleged victims against defendants establishing pattern of aggression, and retaining use-of-force experts who testify that defendants’ actions were reasonable responses to threats they faced. Self-defense requires showing defendants reasonably perceived imminent danger, did not provoke attacks, and used only force necessary to prevent harm—and without immediate investigation preserving evidence and witnesses supporting these elements, prosecutors present one-sided narratives where defendants appear as aggressors resulting in convictions for conduct that was lawful self-defense against attacks by alleged victims who then falsely portrayed themselves as victims rather than aggressors who defendants had to defend against using reasonable force.

Challenging Great Bodily Injury and Gang Enhancements

Great bodily injury enhancements under PC 12022.7 add 3-6 years consecutive prison terms when victims suffer significant or substantial injuries, while gang enhancements under PC 186.22(b) add 10 years to life for crimes committed for gang benefit—making these enhancements as devastating as underlying charges themselves and requiring aggressive challenges through medical experts and gang evidence attacks. We challenge great bodily injury enhancements by retaining medical experts who testify that alleged injuries don’t constitute great bodily injury requiring significant or substantial harm beyond minor or moderate injuries, demonstrating through medical records that injuries healed quickly without lasting impairment contradicting GBI claims, showing injuries were pre-existing or caused by other incidents not defendants’ conduct, and arguing to juries that prosecution hasn’t proven beyond reasonable doubt that injuries were significant enough to warrant GBI enhancements adding years to sentences. We challenge gang enhancements by attacking prosecution’s gang expert testimony through cross-examination exposing lack of foundation for opinions, demonstrating defendants aren’t gang members through evidence of legitimate employment at Vandenberg and family ties, showing crimes weren’t committed for gang benefit but for personal reasons, challenging pattern of criminal gang activity element when prosecution can’t prove required predicate offenses, and arguing gang allegations are pretextual prosecutorial overreach punishing defendants for associations rather than conduct. Without aggressive challenges to enhancements through expert testimony and cross-examination, prosecutors routinely obtain GBI and gang findings adding 10-20+ years to sentences transforming 2-4 year assault cases into 12-24 year prison terms destroying any possibility of defendants returning to Lompoc or having meaningful lives.

Negotiating Charge Reductions Avoiding Violent Felony Strikes

The most critical aspect of violent crime defense is avoiding strike convictions that follow defendants for life doubling future sentences and resulting in 25 years to life on third strike—making charge reductions from violent strike offenses to non-strike offenses essential to preserving any possibility of second chances if defendants ever face charges again. We negotiate charge reductions by demonstrating to Santa Barbara County prosecutors that evidence supports lesser offenses including reducing assault with deadly weapon to simple assault when weapon use is questionable or injuries minor, reducing robbery to theft when force or fear element is weak, reducing attempted murder to assault when premeditation can’t be proven, reducing voluntary manslaughter to involuntary when heat of passion or provocation evidence is strong, and reducing felonies to misdemeanors under PC 17(b) when offenses are wobblers and circumstances warrant. Strike convictions have devastating lifelong consequences: second strike doubles prison sentence on any future felony making 2-year exposure become 4 years, eliminates 50% custody credits requiring 80% time served, and third strike results in 25 years to life for any felony no matter how minor—meaning violent strike from Lompoc bar fight at age 25 causes 25-to-life sentence at age 45 for petty theft with prior or drug possession under Three Strikes law making single violent conviction eliminate any possibility of leniency or second chances forever. Without aggressive negotiation securing charge reductions to non-strike offenses when evidence or circumstances warrant, defendants accept strike convictions not understanding that single violent felony will follow them for life making any future mistake result in decades in prison under Three Strikes law that California voters have repeatedly upheld despite criticism for disproportionate punishments.

Local Experience at Lompoc Superior Court Makes Difference

Violent crime trials at Lompoc Superior Court on North H Street require understanding which judges and juries are receptive to self-defense claims versus those who automatically side with prosecution, how Santa Barbara County Major Crimes prosecutors present cases and make plea offers, what evidence is most effective in demonstrating self-defense or challenging victim credibility to Lompoc juries, and how to select jurors willing to acquit when evidence shows reasonable doubt despite emotionally charged testimony about violence and injuries. We’ve defended violent crime cases at Lompoc Superior Court, know judges who handle serious felonies and their approaches to strikes and enhancements, understand Major Crimes Unit prosecutor policies on charge reductions and plea agreements, can connect clients with best use-of-force experts, medical professionals, gang experts, and forensic specialists who testify credibly at Lompoc trials, and know how to present self-defense and reasonable doubt arguments resonating with Lompoc juries. We also understand violent crime prosecution dynamics in Lompoc including bar fight cases from Ocean Avenue where mutual combat is common, domestic violence allegations in close-knit community where false allegations arise in custody and divorce disputes, gang allegations in prosecutions of Latino defendants based on associations and appearance rather than actual gang membership, and self-defense scenarios where defendants who protected themselves from attackers face charges because alleged victims filed police reports first portraying themselves as victims creating patterns that repeat in Lompoc requiring strategies demonstrating to juries that cases involve self-defense, mutual combat, or false allegations rather than criminal violence warranting convictions and strikes.

How Central Coast Criminal Defense Fights Violent Crime Charges

Since 2010, we’ve defended Lompoc residents against violent crime charges with an aggressive approach:

1. Immediate Investigation and Evidence Preservation
   We immediately investigate crime scenes photographing defendant injuries and evidence, interview witnesses before memories fade or disappear, obtain surveillance videos from Ocean Avenue businesses or Lompoc locations before they’re deleted, preserve text messages and communications between parties, document defendant’s version of events while fresh, identify self-defense evidence, and gather information supporting reasonable doubt before prosecution builds narrative.
2. Self-Defense Evidence Development
   We gather comprehensive evidence supporting self-defense including medical records documenting defendant injuries showing they were attacked, witness statements describing alleged victim as aggressor or initiator of violence, prior incidents of violence by alleged victim against defendant or others establishing dangerous character, communications where alleged victim threatened defendant before incident, surveillance videos showing who initiated violence, use-of-force expert analysis demonstrating defendant’s response was reasonable and proportional, and any evidence showing defendant couldn’t safely retreat or had no duty to retreat under California law.
3. Challenging Medical Evidence and Injury Claims
   We retain medical experts who challenge great bodily injury claims by testifying injuries don’t meet GBI threshold requiring significant or substantial harm, demonstrate injuries healed quickly without lasting effects, show injuries were pre-existing or from other causes, and establish that prosecution’s medical witnesses are biased or incorrect in injury severity assessments contradicting GBI enhancement allegations adding 3-6 years to sentences.
4. Attacking Gang Allegations
   We challenge gang enhancements by cross-examining prosecution’s gang experts exposing lack of foundation for opinions, demonstrating defendants aren’t gang members through evidence of legitimate employment at Vandenberg and community ties, showing crimes had personal motives not gang benefit, challenging pattern of criminal gang activity when predicate offenses don’t qualify, presenting defense gang experts contradicting prosecution, and arguing gang allegations are pretextual overreach punishing associations not conduct preventing 10-year to life enhancements.
5. False Allegation Defense
   When alleged victims fabricate or exaggerate violence we investigate their backgrounds for prior false accusations, demonstrate tactical motivations including custody disputes or criminal liability they seek to shift to defendants, gather evidence contradicting victim claims through witnesses and physical evidence, expose inconsistencies between initial reports and testimony through cross-examination, and present defendants’ versions of events showing self-defense, mutual combat, or that incidents never occurred as alleged.
6. Negotiating Charge Reductions
   We negotiate with Major Crimes prosecutors for charge reductions avoiding violent felony strikes including reducing assault with deadly weapon to simple assault, attempted murder to assault, robbery to theft, voluntary manslaughter to involuntary, reducing felonies to misdemeanors under PC 17(b), eliminating great bodily injury enhancements when injuries are minor, and securing non-strike resolutions when evidence or circumstances warrant preventing lifelong Three Strikes consequences.
7. Aggressive Trial Defense
   When cases go to trial at Lompoc Superior Court we present comprehensive defenses through defendant testimony explaining self-defense and showing they aren’t violent criminals, witnesses contradicting prosecution’s allegations and supporting self-defense, expert testimony on use of force, medical evidence, and gang issues, devastating cross-examination of alleged victims exposing lies, exaggerations, and motivations, and closing arguments demonstrating reasonable doubt based on self-defense, mutual combat, false allegations, or insufficient evidence warranting acquittals.
8. Three Strikes Litigation
   When defendants face third strike prosecutions or second strike sentence doublings we litigate Romero motions to strike priors under interests of justice standards, present comprehensive mitigation evidence demonstrating defendants don’t fall within spirit of Three Strikes law, argue prior strikes are remote in time or from youthful conduct, demonstrate defendants have rehabilitated and shouldn’t receive 25-to-life for current offenses, and fight aggressively to prevent Three Strikes applications destroying lives through disproportionate sentences.

Our Lompoc violent crime defense practice is built on successfully defending serious cases at trial. We’ve secured complete acquittals through self-defense demonstrations with compelling evidence and testimony, obtained charge reductions from attempted murder to assault eliminating life sentences, challenged great bodily injury enhancements through medical experts reducing sentences by years, successfully attacked gang allegations through cross-examination and defense experts preventing 10-year to life enhancements, negotiated strike-free resolutions avoiding lifelong Three Strikes consequences, demonstrated mutual combat and false allegations securing acquittals for defendants facing decades in prison, reduced murder charges to manslaughter through heat of passion and imperfect self-defense, and helped countless Lompoc residents avoid violent strike convictions that would have followed them for life doubling future sentences and eliminating any possibility of probation or reduced sentences making single mistake result in 25 years to life under Three Strikes. We understand that many violent crime charges involve self-defense where defendants protected themselves from attackers, mutual combat where both parties willingly fought, false allegations from alleged victims with tactical motivations in custody disputes, overcharging by prosecutors seeking strikes and enhancements beyond what evidence supports, and defendants who made mistakes but don’t deserve decades in prison or lifelong strike consequences—and we fight aggressively through investigation, expert testimony, and trial advocacy to present complete defenses, challenge prosecution’s evidence and enhancements, secure charge reductions when appropriate, and achieve outcomes preventing convictions or minimizing sentences allowing defendants to eventually return to Lompoc, rebuild relationships with families, and have opportunities for redemption rather than spending decades or life in state prison for conduct that was self-defense, mutual combat, or less serious than prosecution portrays in emotionally charged violent crime prosecutions where stakes couldn’t be higher and aggressive advocacy makes difference between freedom and life in prison.

When violent crime charges threaten life sentences, permanent strikes, and destruction of everything you’ve built, you need more than just legal representation—you need an advocate who fights aggressively through trial with self-defense evidence and expert testimony. That’s exactly what you get with Central Coast Criminal Defense.

Get Your Free Consultation Today

Don’t wait if charged with violent crime. Do not speak to police without attorney present. Self-defense requires immediate investigation. These charges carry life sentences and permanent strikes. Call now for immediate emergency violent crime defense consultation.