Weapon Offenses
Encino Attorney
Weapon Offense Attorney in Encino, CA
Facing a weapon-related charge in Encino requires immediate legal action. Prosecutors in California treat these offenses severely, and the consequences can be life-altering. A conviction may lead to incarceration, significant financial penalties, and a permanent criminal record. Whether the accusation involves unlawful possession, brandishing a firearm, or discharging a weapon, what you do next can determine your future. You need a legal defense that is focused, strategic, and firmly rooted in your constitutional rights.
Esfandi Law Group delivers high-level defense for individuals accused of serious firearm and weapon crimes. Our mission is to protect your rights and ensure you fully understand them at every stage. If you or someone you care about has been charged with a weapons offense, call us today to speak with an Encino weapon offense lawyer ready to defend your freedom.
What Counts as a Weapons Offense in California?
California law outlines various acts that may qualify as weapon-related crimes. Not all of them require using a firearm. Some charges depend on intent, location, or prior criminal history. Understanding the scope of these offenses helps clarify what you’re up against.
Common types of weapons offenses include:
- Possession of a firearm by a prohibited person,
- Carrying a concealed weapon without a valid permit,
- Brandishing a weapon in a threatening or aggressive manner,
- Possessing a firearm in a prohibited location like a school zone,
- Discharging a firearm with gross negligence or within city limits, and
- Possessing certain types of banned weapons like assault rifles or silencers.
Each offense carries its own set of consequences. Being charged with a misdemeanor or felony depends on the facts of the case. Your Encino gun charges lawyer will assess your specific circumstances to build a defense. Prosecutors will work hard to prove intent, possession, and awareness regardless of the charge. A tailored defense strategy can weaken their claims.
What Happens After a Weapon Charge?
After a weapon-related arrest in Encino, law enforcement will keep you in custody or release you on bail. The court will then schedule your arraignment, where you will appear before a judge and enter a plea. From that point, the case moves into key phases: discovery, pre-trial motions, and, if needed, trial preparation.
Your defense must begin immediately. In the first few weeks, your lawyer should obtain and analyze evidence, challenge constitutional violations, and press for dismissal or charge reduction where appropriate.
Do not wait for things to spiral. The sooner you involve an experienced lawyer, the better your chances of influencing your case’s direction—and outcome.
Penalties for Firearm and Weapon Charges
Weapon-related convictions carry serious and lasting consequences. Prosecutors and judges evaluate several factors when determining punishment, including the type of offense, your criminal history, and whether anyone suffered harm.
California courts impose both misdemeanor and felony sentences for these charges. Depending on the circumstances, you could:
- Spend several months—or even years—in jail or prison;
- Pay fines ranging from $1,000 to $10,000;
- Serve probation with strict conditions that limit your movement, employment, or associations;
- Lose your legal right to possess firearms, either temporarily or permanently; and
- Face professional discipline or immigration consequences, especially if you hold a license or non-citizen status.
These penalties extend far beyond the time served. A conviction can follow you for years, affecting your reputation, job opportunities, and peace of mind. Working with an experienced lawyer gives you the best chance to limit—or avoid—these long-term effects.
Common Defenses Used by an Encino Gun Possession Lawyer
You may feel the odds are stacked against you after an arrest, especially if police find a weapon in your car, home, or on your person. But possession isn’t always cut-and-dry. Several legal defenses can apply in these cases.
An Encino gun possession lawyer may explore these common defenses:
- Illegal search and seizure. Police must have a valid warrant or probable cause to search your property. If they didn’t, the evidence may be thrown out.
- Lack of knowledge. You may not be legally liable if you did not know a weapon was present, especially in shared spaces.
- False accusations. Eyewitness accounts and reports may be inaccurate or influenced by bias, fear, or confusion.
- Expired or unclear restrictions. Law enforcement sometimes accuses individuals of violating firearm bans that are no longer in effect or were never correctly issued.
- Valid permits or exemptions. In some cases, a legally registered weapon or active concealed carry permit may serve as a defense.
Each defense must be tailored to the facts. Your lawyer should be able to walk you through what applies to your case and what doesn’t.
Many people assume that a failed breathalyzer test means their case is hopeless. That is not true. Depending on the facts, DUI charges can be fought on several legal grounds.
Common defenses include:
- Lack of probable cause. If police stopped you without a valid reason, any evidence gathered afterward could be suppressed.
- Improper chemical testing. Breath and blood testing devices must meet strict maintenance, calibration, and chain-of-custody standards.
- Rising blood alcohol content (BAC). Alcohol levels increase over time. You may have been under the legal limit while driving, even if your test result was higher later.
- Medical or dietary causes. Conditions such as diabetes, acid reflux, or ketosis can sometimes create false positives on breath tests.
No two cases are the same. Your Encino DWI lawyer should tailor your legal strategy to the facts—not apply a cookie-cutter approach.
Sentencing Enhancements for Weapon Offenses
In some cases, weapon-related charges come with what California law calls “sentencing enhancements.” These are added penalties that increase your punishment if certain facts are present.
These may apply when:
- A firearm was used during the commission of another felony,
- A weapon was discharged at another person,
- The offense occurred in a school zone, or
- The weapon was stolen or modified (e.g., sawed-off or with removed serial number).
These enhancements can add years to a sentence—even turning what would be probation into prison time. Your defense lawyer must review whether these enhancements are valid or whether you can challenge them through pre-trial motions or during trial.
Call Us to Schedule a Free Consultation Today
Weapon charges move fast, and prosecutors in Encino will waste no time gathering evidence to support a conviction. Esfandi Law Group responds just as quickly, offering strategic defense and clear guidance from the very beginning. If you’ve been arrested or believe you’re under investigation for a firearm-related offense, speak with an Encino gun charges lawyer today. Our attorneys are bilingual in English and Spanish to ensure all our clients receive clear, effective communication at every stage of the legal process. Call us to protect your rights and take control of what happens next.
