Murder Down But Shootings Up in LA
Posted on August 13, 2008
Filed Under Criminal Law, Felonies, Gangs, Law, Los Angeles, Murder, News, Police, misdemeanor |
Despite a well-publicized decrease in LA murder rates last month, shootings between June 29 and July 26 increased a dramatic 24% from the previous reporting period. While July marked the lowest number of homicides –19 — in Los Angeles since March 1970, 141 people were shot.
In California, gun and weapons charges are serious crimes that are aggressively prosecuted. Sentences usually involve time in jail or state prison, expensive fines and loss of the weapon. If convicted, a criminal record may make it difficult to find employment and housing.
Possessing a gun or firearm without a permit, possessing a deadly weapon, brandishing or discharging a firearm, illegally selling a firearm or using a gun to commit a crime are serious crimes. Deadly weapons are broadly defined in California and can include not only guns, knives, brass knuckles, nunchucks and other martial arts weapons, but box cutters, tear gas, keys, a car, even your own fist if it is used to harm someone.
Most gun and weapons offenses are charged as felonies under California law. Gun and weapons charges fall under California’s determinate sentencing system which allows the judge to choose from three predetermined prison terms (4, 8 and 12 years) depending on the nature of the crime. In certain cases, circumstances can allow possession to be charged as a misdemeanor. Misdemeanor charges carry a maximum sentence of a fine and up to one year in county jail.
If you are charged with a gun or weapons offense, an experienced criminal defense attorney can protect your rights.
-LegalPro
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