Facing criminal charges in West Valley, San Bernardino, is intimidating. However, the law states that arresting or accusing someone does not result in a conviction in all cases. California’s legal framework offers a range of legal defenses to protect an individual’s rights, family, and life in cases of arrest, especially when defended by a seasoned criminal defense lawyer.
17 notable defenses apply to individuals facing criminal charges in West Valley, San Bernardino. In this article, we will discover them. So let’s get straight to them.
1. Accident
The law does not recognize all wrongful actions as criminal. For instance, committing an act involuntarily and not aiming to cause harm means the law should not consider you responsible. If the circumstances were due to a blunder or errors in judgment as opposed to an intentional disregard for safety, a defense of accident can be successfully argued by your lawyer in West Valley, San Bernardino.
2. Alibi
Having an alibi refers to being situated in a different place when a crime occurs. Evidence can validate your absence from the alleged offense. You can use evidence like flight records, receipts, security footage, or eyewitness accounts. In many criminal cases in West Valley, San Bernardino, an alibi forms a compelling part of the defense strategy.
3. Coerced Confession
There are strict protocols to be observed at each stage of the criminal process, including during the interrogation of suspects. If your admission of guilt may be considered invalid. This happens when it is the result of coercion, such as threats, lack of sleep, or deceit. In the West Valley San Bernardino region, cases of confessions obtained through coercion are quite common. Such confessions often result in not only the dropping of charges but also the statement being silenced in court.
4. Double Jeopardy
The principle of double jeopardy states that no individual shall be tried for the same crime more than once. A person cannot be retried for the same charge, even if new evidence comes to light, if they are acquitted or convicted of a charge in West Valley, San Bernardino
5. Duress
If your life or safety were threatened and you were compelled to commit a criminal act, that is known as duress. An example of this would be being compelled to commit robbery at gunpoint. This could be defended in West Valley San Bernardino courts under this legal principle, except for murder, which has a different standard.
6. Entrapment
It is unlawful for law enforcement to apply pressure that would make you commit a crime that you would have otherwise not committed. If an undercover officer influenced or solicited you to participate in illegal conduct, particularly in sting operations, then you may be able to utilize the entrapment defense in West Valley San Bernardino.
7. False Accusation
There are numerous reasons a person can be accused, ranging from jealousy to vengeance, or even due to wrong identification. A defense attorney in West Valley, San Bernardino, can assist you in revealing the truth and in reinforcing your reputation by building a substantial case if you strongly feel that someone is falsely accusing you.
8. Insanity
The court may accept an insanity plea if your mental condition at the time of the incident was such that you were incapable of understanding the nature of your actions. This is most commonly proven through the M’Naghten Rule, and if successful, could lead to treatment rather than incarceration in West Valley San Bernardino.
9. No Probable Cause
You cannot be arrested without probable cause. If such a reason was not present, a West Valley San Bernardino lawyer can defend against the arrest, and through a suppression motion, the evidence may be deemed inadmissible.
10. Mistaken Identity
An innocent person can be arrested due to a resemblance to the actual perpetrator. Eyewitness mistakes are a primary reason for wrongful convictions in West Valley, San Bernardino, and with the assistance of a skilled defense attorney, such errors can be brought to light.
11. Mistake of Fact
Believing an item was yours and therefore taking it is an example of a mistake of fact. This defense can succeed in a number of West Valley San Bernardino property crime cases.
12. Necessity
You could be excused under the necessity defense in situations where law-breaking was the only option to avoid significant harm. For instance, in West Valley San Bernardino, a person’s entry into a home to avoid injury is excused provided that there was no other option to access safety.
13. Parental Right to Discipline
The law in California permits parents to administer reasonable physical discipline. You could be exonerated if your conduct is found to be legal and reasonable and not involving child abuse. West Valley San Bernardino judges also take into consideration the circumstances in such cases.
14. Police Misconduct
The prosecution’s case may be weakened by law enforcement’s illegal actions, such as evidence fabrication or the use of undue force. If your legal rights were breached in West Valley, San Bernardino, your counsel may attempt to file a motion to strike the evidence or dismiss charges on account of your legal rights.
15. Self-Defense or Defense of Others
The use of force to protect oneself or another person from serious and imminent threats is exercised with legal justification. However, the force used should be reasonable. Laws on self-defense in West Valley, San Bernardino, protect your right to self-defense.
16. Unconsciousness
According to the law, crimes committed during states of true unconsciousness, such as sleepwalking or epileptic episodes, legally qualify as unconsciousness. In the case of West Valley San Bernardino, this presumes the unconsciousness was not the result of self-induced intoxication.
17. Intoxication (Voluntary or Involuntary)
Both self-induced and involuntary intoxication have legal implications. Intoxication rarely absolves responsibility or mitigates penalties, but it can influence intent, especially for lesser offenses. In West Valley, San Bernardino, if someone drugs you without your consent, this constitutes involuntary intoxication, which can serve as a complete defense.
Complete defenses rebut the prosecution’s case without any conditions.
Final Thoughts
Charges in West Valley, San Bernardino, do not require an individual to accept the consequences in full or receive a lengthy incarceration sentence. Many cases have the potential to be negotiated or altered through a well-crafted legal approach. Alibis, self-defense, or even a case of mistaken identity are just a few examples of the countless possibilities hidden behind perceived certainty.
In the case someone has been wrongfully accused, consulting a West Valley San Bernardino defense attorney familiar with the substantial intricacies of the local courts, judges, and prosecutors can be critical for shielding one’s freedom. Legal representation can significantly impact the outcome and become a determining factor in achieving freedom.
Know More About:- What Are the Rights of a West Valley Inmate?