A violent crime charge in San Bernardino County is one of the most serious legal situations you will ever face. Whether you are accused of murder, attempted murder, assault with a deadly weapon, robbery, carjacking, kidnapping, or any other violent offense, you are facing the possibility of years — or decades — in state prison, a permanent “strike” under California’s Three Strikes Law, lifetime consequences for employment and housing, and for non-citizens, almost certain deportation. The San Bernardino County District Attorney’s Office prosecutes violent crimes with maximum aggression, and without an experienced, skilled defense attorney in your corner, the consequences can be devastating.
If you or someone you love is facing violent crime charges anywhere in San Bernardino County — from the city of San Bernardino to Rancho Cucamonga, Fontana, Ontario, Victorville, Rialto, Redlands, Upland, Chino Hills, Hesperia, or any community throughout the county — you need a defense attorney who has the trial experience, legal knowledge, and courage to fight the toughest cases.
At Tu Defensor Criminalista, Attorney Armando Josué Céspedes provides aggressive, bilingual criminal defense representation for clients charged with the full spectrum of violent offenses throughout San Bernardino County. We handle the cases that other attorneys are afraid to take. We investigate every angle, challenge every piece of evidence, and fight relentlessly — in pretrial negotiations and at trial — to protect your rights and your future.
San Bernardino County: A High-Priority Violent Crime Enforcement Environment
San Bernardino County is the largest county by land area in the contiguous United States, spanning over 20,000 square miles with a population of approximately 2.2 million residents according to the U.S. Census Bureau[1]. The county seat is the city of San Bernardino. According to San Bernardino County Community Indicators[2], nearly two million residents are concentrated in the approximately 480 square miles of the San Bernardino Valley, one of the most densely populated regions in Southern California.
San Bernardino County has long been a focal point for violent crime enforcement in California. According to the Governor’s Office[3], San Bernardino’s violent crime rate is nearly double the statewide average, and its homicide rate is more than three times the statewide average. In October 2024, the Governor launched a dedicated CHP surge operation specifically in San Bernardino to address violent crime, gun violence, and organized criminal activity. This operation placed additional CHP personnel on the ground and in the air, providing the San Bernardino Police Department with investigative support to disrupt violent street gangs and get illegal guns off the street.
This heightened enforcement environment means that violent crime charges in San Bernardino County are investigated more aggressively, prosecuted more vigorously, and punished more severely than in many other California counties. Experienced legal defense is not optional — it is essential to your survival.
Violent Crime Statistics: San Bernardino County and California
The following statistics illustrate the enforcement landscape you face:
According to the San Bernardino County Community Indicators[4] crime rate report, violent crime in San Bernardino County increased 33% between 2023 and 2024. The county bucked the statewide trend of declining violent crime. According to California Department of Justice data, total violent crimes in San Bernardino County rose 32% in 2024 — from 8,325 incidents in 2023 to 11,094 in 2024. Homicides in the county increased 24%, from 88 in 2023 to 109 in 2024. Robberies increased 12%. Aggravated assaults increased 41%. Rape spiked 32%.
Over a multi-year period from 2020 to 2024, the homicide rate fell an annual average of 6% while the robbery rate fell an annual average of 2%, but rape increased an annual average of 3% and there was no long-term change in aggravated assault. Despite the recent decline in homicides over a longer timeframe, the 10-year trend from 2015 to 2024 shows a 3% average annual increase.
In the city of San Bernardino specifically, there were 584 aggravated assaults reported in one recent period (an 8% increase), along with 191 robberies and 25 homicides. The city’s crime index is 1.8 times the national average, and more than 96% of California communities have a lower crime rate.
At the statewide level, the Public Policy Institute of California (PPIC)[5] reports that California’s violent crime rate decreased 5.3% in 2024, falling from 508 to 481 per 100,000 residents. Homicides decreased 13.5%, robberies decreased 7.5%, and aggravated assaults decreased 4.8%. However, the violent crime rate remains 9.8% above pre-pandemic 2019 levels. Aggravated assaults involving firearms remain 33.6% above 2019 levels despite a 19.5% decline since 2021.
These statistics demonstrate that San Bernardino County occupies a unique and challenging position in California’s crime landscape — with violent crime increasing locally even as it decreases statewide. Prosecutors and law enforcement are under enormous pressure to secure convictions, making aggressive defense representation essential.
California Violent Crime Laws: Understanding the Charges You Face
California classifies violent crimes as among the most serious offenses in the Penal Code. The following is a comprehensive overview of the violent crime charges most commonly prosecuted in San Bernardino County:
Murder — Penal Code 187
Murder is the unlawful killing of a human being or fetus with malice aforethought. California recognizes two degrees of murder:
First-Degree Murder includes willful, deliberate, and premeditated killings, murders committed by specified means (such as poison, lying in wait, or destructive device), and felony murder (a killing that occurs during the commission of certain dangerous felonies). First-degree murder carries 25 years to life in state prison. Special circumstances — such as murder for financial gain, murder of a law enforcement officer, murder involving torture, or multiple murders — can result in life in prison without the possibility of parole (LWOP) or the death penalty.
Second-Degree Murder is any murder that does not meet the criteria for first-degree murder but involves malice aforethought (express or implied). Second-degree murder carries 15 years to life. If the victim was a peace officer, the sentence is 25 years to life.
Felony Murder Rule: California’s felony murder rule (PC 189) provides that a killing committed during the commission of certain inherently dangerous felonies — including robbery, carjacking, kidnapping, arson, and burglary — can be charged as first-degree murder even if the killing was unintentional.
Attempted Murder — Penal Code 664/187
Attempted murder is any direct but ineffectual act toward killing another person, committed with the specific intent to kill. Attempted first-degree murder (premeditated) carries life in prison with the possibility of parole. Attempted second-degree murder carries five, seven, or nine years in state prison.
Voluntary Manslaughter — Penal Code 192(a)
Voluntary manslaughter is the unlawful killing of a human being without malice, committed during a sudden quarrel or in the heat of passion, or as a result of an honest but unreasonable belief in the need for self-defense (imperfect self-defense). Voluntary manslaughter carries three, six, or eleven years in state prison. This charge is frequently the focus of negotiations in murder cases, as a reduction from murder to voluntary manslaughter can mean the difference between life in prison and a determinate sentence.
Involuntary Manslaughter — Penal Code 192(b)
Involuntary manslaughter is the unintentional killing of a human being without malice, committed during the commission of an unlawful act (not amounting to a felony) or during a lawful act performed without due caution. Involuntary manslaughter carries two, three, or four years in state prison.
Assault with a Deadly Weapon (ADW) — Penal Code 245(a)(1)
ADW involves assaulting another person with a deadly weapon or instrument, or by means of force likely to produce great bodily injury. ADW is a wobbler. As a felony, it carries two, three, or four years in state prison, and is a strike under the Three Strikes Law. ADW with a firearm (PC 245(a)(2)) is a wobbler with a minimum six-month jail sentence. ADW with a semiautomatic firearm (PC 245(b)) is always a felony carrying three, six, or nine years. ADW with a machine gun or assault weapon (PC 245(a)(3)) carries four, eight, or twelve years.
Aggravated battery causing serious bodily injury is a wobbler carrying up to four years in state prison as a felony. “Serious bodily injury” includes concussion, bone fracture, loss of consciousness, wounds requiring extensive suturing, or serious disfigurement.
Robbery — Penal Code 211
Robbery is the taking of personal property from another person by means of force or fear. Robbery is always a felony and always a strike. First-degree robbery carries three, four, or six years (or three, six, or nine years if committed in concert in an inhabited dwelling). Second-degree robbery carries two, three, or five years. Firearm enhancements can add 10, 20, or 25 years to life.
Carjacking — Penal Code 215
Carjacking is taking a motor vehicle from another person by force or fear. It is always a felony and always a strike, carrying three, five, or nine years in state prison. With enhancements, sentences can reach decades.
Kidnapping — Penal Code 207
Simple kidnapping — moving another person a substantial distance without consent by force or fear — carries three, five, or eight years in state prison. Aggravated kidnapping (for ransom, extortion, robbery, rape, or other specified purposes under PC 209) carries life in prison with the possibility of parole. Kidnapping during a carjacking (PC 209.5) also carries life with parole.
Criminal Threats — Penal Code 422
Making threats of death or great bodily injury with the specific intent to place someone in sustained fear is a wobbler. As a felony, it carries up to four years in state prison. PC 422 is a strike offense.
Mayhem — Penal Code 203
Mayhem involves unlawfully and maliciously depriving a person of a member of their body, disabling or disfiguring it, or cutting or disabling the tongue, putting out an eye, or slitting the nose, ear, or lip. Mayhem is a felony carrying two, four, or eight years in state prison and is a strike. Aggravated mayhem (PC 205) — involving torture or acts causing permanent disability or disfigurement — carries life in prison with the possibility of parole.
Arson — Penal Code 451
Arson involving an inhabited structure or property is a felony carrying three, five, or eight years in state prison. Arson causing great bodily injury carries five, seven, or nine years. Arson is a strike offense.
Vehicular Manslaughter — Penal Code 191.5 and 192(c)
Gross vehicular manslaughter while intoxicated (PC 191.5(a)) carries four, six, or ten years in state prison and is a strike offense. Vehicular manslaughter with gross negligence (PC 192(c)(1)) is a wobbler carrying two, four, or six years as a felony. Ordinary vehicular manslaughter (PC 192(c)(2)) is a misdemeanor. These charges arise from fatal traffic accidents involving DUI, reckless driving, or negligent operation of a vehicle.
Torture — Penal Code 206
Torture is defined as inflicting great bodily injury on another person with the intent to cause cruel or extreme pain and suffering for revenge, extortion, persuasion, or any sadistic purpose. Torture is a felony carrying life in prison with the possibility of parole and is a strike offense.
Shooting at an Inhabited Dwelling or Vehicle — Penal Code 246
Willfully and maliciously shooting a firearm at an inhabited dwelling house, occupied building, occupied motor vehicle, occupied aircraft, inhabited housecar, or inhabited camper is a felony carrying three, five, or seven years in state prison. This offense is a strike and is frequently accompanied by additional firearms enhancements.
Gang-Related Violent Crimes — Penal Code 186.22
When violent crimes are committed for the benefit of, at the direction of, or in association with a criminal street gang, substantial sentencing enhancements apply under California’s STEP Act. Gang enhancements can add two, three, four, five, ten, fifteen years, or even life to the underlying sentence depending on the offense. Gang allegations transform already-serious charges into potentially life-altering cases.
Sentencing Enhancements That Increase Prison Time
California law provides numerous sentencing enhancements that can dramatically increase prison exposure for violent crimes:
Firearm Enhancements (PC 12022.53): Using a firearm during a violent felony adds 10 years. Personally and intentionally discharging a firearm adds 20 years. If the discharge causes great bodily injury or death, the enhancement is 25 years to life. These are consecutive — meaning they are served in addition to the base sentence.
Great Bodily Injury (PC 12022.7): Causing great bodily injury during the commission of a felony adds three, four, or five additional consecutive years.
Three Strikes Law (PC 667/1170.12): Most violent felonies are “strikes.” A second strike doubles the sentence. A third strike results in 25 years to life.
Prior Serious Felony Enhancement (PC 667(a)): A prior conviction for a “serious” felony adds five consecutive years to the sentence for any new serious felony.
Gang Enhancements (PC 186.22): Gang involvement can add years or life to violent crime sentences.
Use of Body Armor (PC 12022.2): Wearing body armor during the commission of a violent felony adds one to five additional years.
How Violent Crime Cases Are Prosecuted in San Bernardino County
Investigation and Arrest
Violent crime investigations involve forensic evidence collection, witness interviews, surveillance footage analysis, cell phone records, social media evidence, DNA testing, ballistics analysis, and expert testimony. Detectives may obtain search warrants for homes, vehicles, cell phones, and electronic accounts. They conduct recorded interviews with suspects — often using deceptive interrogation tactics designed to elicit incriminating statements. The thoroughness and accuracy of these investigations varies widely, and identifying errors, gaps, and biases in the investigation is one of the most critical functions of the defense attorney.
In many cases, arrests happen at or near the scene based on limited initial information. Officers must make split-second decisions about who to arrest, and these decisions are not always correct. In other cases, investigations unfold over weeks or months, during which time an experienced defense attorney can intervene — providing information to investigators, arranging voluntary surrender on favorable terms, and building the defense before charges are even filed.
San Bernardino County Law Enforcement Agencies
Violent crime investigations in San Bernardino County are conducted by numerous agencies, each with specialized units. According to the San Bernardino County District Attorney’s Office[6], key agencies include:
The San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department, headquartered at 655 East 3rd Street, San Bernardino, CA 92415, is the largest law enforcement agency in the county, serving unincorporated areas and 14 contract cities covering over one million residents. The Sheriff’s Department operates specialized homicide, gang, and major crimes units that investigate the most serious violent offenses throughout the county.
The San Bernardino Police Department at 710 North D Street, San Bernardino, CA 92401, maintains dedicated detective divisions for homicide, robbery, assault, and gang crimes. According to the San Bernardino Police Department[7], SBPD responds to approximately 1,000 calls for service every 24 hours. The department had 418 full-time law enforcement employees (285 officers) as of 2024.
Municipal Police Departments in Fontana, Ontario, Redlands, Rialto, Colton, Upland, Montclair, Chino, and Barstow maintain their own detective divisions and investigate violent crimes within their jurisdictions. Each department operates with distinct policies and procedures, and defense strategies must account for agency-specific practices.
The California Highway Patrol (CHP) — Inland Division conducts enforcement surges and provides investigative support for violent crime, gun violence, and gang activity throughout San Bernardino County. The Governor’s Office[8] reported that CHP operations in San Bernardino resulted in 64 arrests in just the first two weeks, with the seizure of five illegal guns. These operations place additional CHP personnel on the ground and in the air.
Additional agencies include the California Department of Justice Bureau of Investigation, the FBI, and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), which may become involved in violent crime investigations — particularly gang-related cases, firearms offenses, and cases involving federal jurisdiction.
Common Scenarios Leading to Violent Crime Charges
Violent crime charges arise from a wide range of circumstances. The following are among the most common scenarios we encounter in San Bernardino County:
Self-Defense Situations Mischaracterized as Criminal Conduct: Many violent crime charges — including murder, attempted murder, and assault with a deadly weapon — arise from situations where the defendant was actually defending himself, herself, or another person. Police officers arriving after the fact often arrest the person who caused the most visible injury, not the person who started the confrontation. Without thorough investigation, legitimate acts of self-defense are mischaracterized as criminal assaults or even murder.
Bar Fights and Nightclub Altercations: Arguments at bars, nightclubs, and social gatherings frequently escalate into physical confrontations. When injuries are serious, participants face felony assault or battery charges. Alcohol impairment affects both the behavior of participants and the reliability of witness accounts, creating significant evidentiary challenges.
Domestic Disputes That Escalate: Many aggravated assault and even attempted murder charges originate from domestic disputes. When police respond to a domestic disturbance and observe injuries, they are trained to make an arrest — often without a full understanding of who was the aggressor. Domestic-related violent crime charges frequently involve false or exaggerated allegations driven by custody disputes, divorce proceedings, or personal vendettas.
Road Rage Incidents: Road rage encounters can escalate rapidly from verbal confrontations to assault with a deadly weapon (the vehicle itself) or even attempted murder. These cases often involve split-second decisions, conflicting witness accounts, and dashcam or cell phone footage that may be incomplete or misleading.
Gang Allegations: San Bernardino County has a significant gang enforcement presence. Individuals are sometimes charged with gang-related violent crimes based on associations, social media posts, or their presence in a particular neighborhood — even when they had no involvement in the underlying crime. Gang enhancements can add years or life to sentences, making these allegations especially dangerous.
Mistaken Identity in Shootings and Robberies: Violent crime investigations frequently rely on eyewitness identification, which is notoriously unreliable — particularly in high-stress situations, low-light conditions, or cross-racial identifications. Show-up identifications conducted at the scene, photo lineups constructed by biased investigators, and witness statements influenced by media coverage or police suggestion can lead to wrongful arrests.
Mutual Combat: Many assault cases arise from mutual combat — fights where both parties were willing participants. Mutual combat can be a defense or mitigating factor, and it can challenge the prosecution’s narrative that the defendant was the sole aggressor.
Accidental or Unintentional Harm: Not every injury is the result of criminal intent. Accidents, negligent acts, and unintentional harm may be charged as violent crimes when the evidence, viewed in isolation, appears to support criminal conduct. Involuntary manslaughter charges, in particular, frequently arise from accidental deaths where the defendant’s conduct was negligent or reckless but not intentionally harmful.
The District Attorney’s Office
The San Bernardino County District Attorney’s Office[9], with over 500 staff members including 248 attorneys and 62 investigators, reviews the evidence and files charges. The DA’s Office maintains specialized prosecution units for homicide, gang crimes, and other violent offenses. According to the DA’s Office[10], charges are filed when the prosecutor believes the case can be proved beyond a reasonable doubt.
For serious violent crimes, the DA’s Office may convene a grand jury to obtain an indictment rather than proceeding through a preliminary hearing. Grand jury proceedings are secret, and the defendant has no right to present evidence or cross-examine witnesses at this stage — making early defense involvement critical.
Superior Court Proceedings
Violent crime cases are heard at San Bernardino County Superior Court[11] locations throughout the county:
San Bernardino Justice Center — 247 West Third Street, San Bernardino, CA 92415. Criminal Division: (909) 384-1888.
Rancho Cucamonga District — 8303 Haven Avenue, Rancho Cucamonga, CA 91730. Phone: (909) 350-9764.
Fontana District — 17780 Arrow Boulevard, Fontana, CA 92335. Phone: (909) 350-9322.
Victorville District — 14455 Civic Drive, Victorville, CA 92392. Phone: (760) 245-6215.
Joshua Tree District — 6527 White Feather Road, Joshua Tree, CA 92252. Phone: (760) 974-3048.
Additional Locations: Barstow (235 E. Mountain View Street), Big Bear (477 Summit Blvd), and Needles (1111 Bailey Ave).
Felony violent crime cases proceed through arraignment, preliminary hearing (or grand jury indictment), pretrial motions, and trial. The entire process can take months to over a year for complex cases.
Defense Strategies for Violent Crime Charges
At Tu Defensor Criminalista, we employ a comprehensive range of defense strategies tailored to the specific facts of each case:
Self-Defense and Defense of Others: California law recognizes the fundamental right to use reasonable force — including deadly force — to defend yourself or another person against imminent threat of death or great bodily injury. If you acted in self-defense or defense of others, this is a complete defense to murder, assault, battery, and other violent crime charges. We thoroughly investigate the circumstances, document evidence of the threat you faced, retain use-of-force experts when appropriate, and present a compelling self-defense case.
Imperfect Self-Defense: Even if your belief in the need for self-defense was unreasonable, “imperfect self-defense” can reduce a murder charge to voluntary manslaughter — potentially reducing a life sentence to a determinate term of years.
Lack of Intent: Many violent crime charges require the prosecution to prove specific intent. Murder requires malice aforethought. Attempted murder requires specific intent to kill. If the prosecution cannot prove the required mental state — for example, if the act was accidental, reckless rather than intentional, or committed under extreme emotional disturbance — the charges may be reduced or dismissed.
Mistaken Identity: Eyewitness misidentification is one of the leading causes of wrongful convictions in America. We thoroughly investigate identification procedures, challenge suggestive lineups and show-ups, retain eyewitness identification experts, and present alibi evidence.
False Accusations: False allegations of violent crimes occur in the context of gang rivalries, personal vendettas, insurance fraud, custody disputes, and other situations. We investigate the accuser’s motives, identify inconsistencies in their statements, and build a case exposing fabricated or exaggerated allegations.
Challenging Forensic Evidence: We retain independent forensic experts to review DNA evidence, ballistics analysis, blood spatter evidence, digital forensics, and other scientific evidence. Crime lab errors, contamination, and flawed analytical methods can undermine the prosecution’s case.
Challenging Witness Credibility: We prepare thorough cross-examinations to expose inconsistencies, biases, and unreliable testimony from prosecution witnesses, including cooperating witnesses who received deals in exchange for testimony.
Challenging Gang Allegations: Gang enhancements can add years or life to a sentence. We challenge the prosecution’s gang evidence, contest the reliability of gang experts, dispute gang membership claims, and argue that the offense was not committed for gang benefit.
Negotiating Charge Reductions: In appropriate cases, we negotiate reductions that can dramatically change the outcome — for example, reducing murder to voluntary manslaughter, attempted murder to assault, or robbery to theft. These reductions can mean the difference between life in prison and a determinate sentence.
Motion Practice: We file motions to suppress illegally obtained evidence (PC 1538.5), exclude unreliable identification evidence, dismiss charges for insufficient evidence (PC 995), and challenge the prosecution’s case at every procedural stage.
Trial Defense: When your freedom or life depends on a jury verdict, Attorney Armando Josué Céspedes brings the trial experience, preparation, and courtroom advocacy that your case demands. We select favorable jurors, present compelling opening statements, cross-examine prosecution witnesses with precision, present defense witnesses and expert testimony, and deliver persuasive closing arguments.
Consequences of a Violent Crime Conviction
The consequences of a violent crime conviction in San Bernardino County are among the most severe in the criminal justice system:
Prison Sentences: Murder carries 15 years to life or 25 years to life (or LWOP). Attempted murder carries life with parole or five to nine years. Voluntary manslaughter carries three to eleven years. ADW carries up to four years (or more with enhancements). Robbery carries two to nine years. With firearm and other enhancements, total sentences can reach 50 years, life, or life without parole.
Three Strikes Law: Most violent felonies are strikes. A second strike doubles the sentence. A third strike means 25 years to life — even if the third offense is relatively minor. A single violent crime conviction can permanently alter your sentencing exposure for any future felony.
Loss of Firearms Rights: Any felony conviction results in a lifetime prohibition on owning or possessing firearms under both California and federal law.
Immigration Consequences: Violent crime convictions are almost uniformly classified as “aggravated felonies” or “crimes of violence” under federal immigration law, resulting in mandatory deportation for non-citizens and ineligibility for virtually all forms of immigration relief. If you are not a U.S. citizen, your immigration status must be a central consideration in every defense decision.
Sex Offender Registration: Certain violent crimes involving sexual conduct require lifetime registration as a sex offender under PC 290.
Parole and Post-Release Supervision: Defendants sentenced to state prison for violent offenses are subject to parole supervision after release, with conditions that can restrict housing, employment, travel, and associations for years.
Civil Liability: Victims of violent crimes may file civil lawsuits for damages, and criminal convictions can be used as evidence in civil proceedings.
Permanent Criminal Record: A violent felony conviction is permanent and appears on all background checks. It can disqualify you from employment, professional licensing, housing, education, government benefits, and civic participation (including voting while incarcerated and jury service).
Why Choose Tu Defensor Criminalista for Your Violent Crimes Defense
Experienced Trial Attorney: Attorney Armando Josué Céspedes has extensive experience defending clients against the full spectrum of violent crime charges — from assault and battery to murder. He has the trial skills, legal knowledge, and courtroom presence to handle the most serious cases.
5.0 Avvo Rating with 34 Five-Star Reviews: Three consecutive Client’s Choice Awards (2023, 2024, 2025) reflect the trust and satisfaction our clients place in our firm.
Bilingual Representation (English and Spanish): Fully bilingual legal representation ensures every client understands their case. Hablamos Español.
Aggressive Advocacy When It Matters Most: Violent crime charges demand an attorney who will fight without hesitation. We investigate relentlessly, challenge every piece of evidence, and present the strongest possible defense at trial.
Knowledge of San Bernardino County Courts: We regularly appear in all San Bernardino County Superior Court locations and know the prosecutors, judges, and procedures at each courthouse.
Flexible Payment Plans: Custom payment plans with low upfront costs and flexible installments. Financial concerns should never prevent you from getting the defense you need.
Available 24/7: Arrests do not follow business hours. We are available around the clock.
Frequently Asked Questions
I was arrested for a violent crime. What should I do immediately?
Invoke your right to remain silent and your right to an attorney. Do not speak to police, detectives, or investigators without your attorney present. Do not discuss your case with anyone — including cellmates, family members, or friends — as anything you say can be used against you. Contact a defense attorney immediately.
Can a murder charge be reduced?
Yes. Through negotiation or at trial, murder charges can be reduced to voluntary manslaughter (if the killing occurred in the heat of passion or under imperfect self-defense), involuntary manslaughter (if the killing was unintentional), or assault charges if the prosecution cannot prove intent to kill. These reductions can mean the difference between life in prison and a determinate sentence.
What is the Three Strikes Law and how does it affect my case?
California’s Three Strikes Law (PC 667/1170.12) imposes dramatically increased sentences for defendants with prior “strike” convictions. Most violent felonies are strikes. A second strike doubles the sentence for any new felony. A third strike results in 25 years to life. If you have prior strikes, your case requires particularly aggressive defense to avoid devastating cumulative sentencing.
Can self-defense apply to murder charges?
Yes. If you used deadly force in reasonable self-defense or defense of another person against an imminent threat of death or great bodily injury, self-defense is a complete defense to murder. Even “imperfect” self-defense — where the belief in the need for deadly force was genuine but unreasonable — can reduce murder to voluntary manslaughter.
I am not a U.S. citizen. How will violent crime charges affect my immigration status?
Violent crime convictions are among the most devastating offenses for immigration purposes. Most violent felonies are classified as “aggravated felonies” or “crimes of violence” that trigger mandatory deportation and bar virtually all forms of immigration relief. Your defense strategy must account for immigration consequences from the very beginning.
How long will a violent crime case take to resolve?
Violent crime cases are among the most complex in the criminal justice system. Misdemeanor charges may resolve in two to four months. Felony cases typically take six months to over a year. Murder cases and cases proceeding to trial can take one to two years or longer depending on complexity, the number of defendants, and the volume of evidence.
Will I be able to get bail on a violent crime charge?
Bail depends on the severity of the charge, your criminal history, and whether the court considers you a flight risk or danger to the community. For murder charges, bail may be denied entirely or set at $1 million or more. For other violent felonies, bail in San Bernardino County typically ranges from $50,000 to $500,000 or higher. An experienced defense attorney can advocate for reasonable bail at your arraignment or file a motion to reduce bail (PC 1275). In some cases, you may be released on your own recognizance (O.R.) if the court determines that you are not a flight risk or a danger.
What is the difference between assault and battery?
Assault (PC 240) is an unlawful attempt to commit a violent injury on another person — no physical contact is required. Battery (PC 242) is the actual willful and unlawful use of force or violence upon another person. You can be charged with assault even if you never touched anyone, and you can be charged with battery even if you caused no visible injury. Aggravated versions of these offenses — assault with a deadly weapon (PC 245) and battery causing serious bodily injury (PC 243(d)) — carry significantly harsher penalties.
Contact Tu Defensor Criminalista Today — Free Consultation
When you are facing violent crime charges, every hour matters. Witnesses disappear, evidence degrades, and the prosecution is building their case against you from the moment of arrest. The sooner you have an experienced defense attorney on your side, the better your chances of a favorable outcome.
We Defend Clients in All San Bernardino County Superior Court Locations
San Bernardino Justice Center — 247 West Third Street, San Bernardino, CA 92415
Rancho Cucamonga District — 8303 Haven Avenue, Rancho Cucamonga, CA 91730
Fontana District — 17780 Arrow Boulevard, Fontana, CA 92335
Victorville District — 14455 Civic Drive, Victorville, CA 92392
Joshua Tree District — 6527 White Feather Road, Joshua Tree, CA 92252
Barstow District — 235 East Mountain View Street, Barstow, CA 92311
Big Bear District — 477 Summit Blvd, Big Bear Lake, CA 92315
Needles District — 1111 Bailey Ave, Needles, CA 92363
Citations and References
U.S. Census Bureau — San Bernardino County QuickFacts: https://www.census.gov/quickfacts/fact/table/sanbernardinocountycalifornia/PST045224[1]
San Bernardino County Community Indicators — County Profile: https://indicators.sbcounty.gov/county-profile/[2]
San Bernardino County Community Indicators — Crime Rate: https://indicators.sbcounty.gov/safety/crime-rate/[4]
California Department of Justice — OpenJustice, Crime Statistics: https://openjustice.doj.ca.gov/exploration/crime-statistics [12]
Public Policy Institute of California (PPIC) — Crime Trends in California: https://www.ppic.org/publication/crime-trends-in-california/[5]
Governor of California — CHP Surge Operation in San Bernardino (October 2024): https://www.gov.ca.gov/2024/10/28/governor-newsom-launches-new-chp-surge-operation-in-san-bernardino-to-address-violent-crime/[3]
Governor of California — CHP San Bernardino Surge Results (November 2024): https://www.gov.ca.gov/2024/11/13/chp-arrests-64-suspects-in-first-two-weeks-of-san-bernardino-surge-operation/[8]
San Bernardino County District Attorney’s Office: https://da.sbcounty.gov/[9]
San Bernardino County District Attorney’s Office — Law Enforcement Agencies: https://da.sbcounty.gov/law-enforcement-agencies/[6]
San Bernardino County District Attorney’s Office — Courts & Case Information: https://da.sbcounty.gov/courts-cases/[10]
Superior Court of California, County of San Bernardino — Locations: https://sanbernardino.courts.ca.gov/locations[11]
San Bernardino Police Department: https://www.sanbernardino.gov/412/Police-Department[7]
City of San Bernardino — Crime Statistics: https://www.sanbernardino.gov/630/Crime-Statistics[13]
California Legislative Information — Penal Code: https://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/[14]
Board of State and Community Corrections — San Bernardino County Data:https://www.bscc.ca.gov/assets/media/San-Bernardino.pdf[15]
Attorney Armando Josué Cespedes is rated 5.0 on Avvo, with 34 five-star reviews from clients praising his dedication, professionalism, and results. Many note how his trial skills and attention to detail led to reduced charges or outright dismissals.
I was arrested for a DUI just recently, since Spanish is my first language, it was important to find a great attorney who was bilingual. Getting your first DUI can...
Armando cespedes went above and beyond for my case. I was very close to getting my license revoked as I am under the age of 21 and received my second...
I was referred to Mr. Cespedes by a family friend who was very pleased with his legal services. Unfortunately, I got a DUI a few months ago and I was...
Armando gets results with your best interest in mind. I was wrongfully being accused of making primal threats. Even though I was innocent, I was aware that the accusations are...
Extremely professional I recently had a brief phone consultation with Mr. Cespedes regarding a longtime friend of mine. Although he was unable to assist him with his legal needs, I...
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