Crimes of violence vary in terms of their classification and their punishment. They may be misdemeanors, felonies, or wobblers. Misdemeanors are those crimes which are only punishable by a fine and/or imprisonment in the county jail up to one year. Felonies are those crimes which are punishable by fines and/or imprisonment in the state prison. Wobblers are crimes punishable as either misdemeanors or felonies. Violent felonies are applied toward California's Three Strikes and You're Out campaign, wherein 3 violent felonies will bring a mandatory punishment of 25 years to life in state prison. The impetus for Three Strikes campaign has come from public outrage over murders, assaults, rapes and child molestations by released ex-convicts with records of repeated violent crimes.

At the low end of the spectrum, a person prosecuted for a violent crime may have minimal fines and/or no jail time. However, at the other end of the spectrum is life in prison without the possibility of parole.

There are many different types of violent crimes, such as:

• Assault
• Assault with a firearm
• Assault with a weapon other than a firearm
• Assault on police and firefighters
• Battery
• Domestic Violence
• Hit and Run
• Mayhem
• Kidnapping
• For ransom
• During a robbery
• During a carjacking
• Related to child custody matters

Given the severe punishments, and the possibility of generating a third felony over a lifetime, there is a strong need for excellent legal representation. An experienced criminal defense attorney is skillful in knowing all the laws, court procedures, negotiation tactics, and other strategies that make a real difference in people's lives when they are facing the entire justice system out to get them.

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