When a person receives a charge of assault with a firearm, the penalty of this conviction is dependent on what type of firearm was used, under what circumstances the firearm was used, and who it was used on.
The charge may also be lowered if it is shown that there was no ammunition in the firearm, such as a magazine or a bullet in the chamber. For legal assistance with an assault with a firearm charge, contact the experienced criminal defense lawyers at Law Offices of Kerry L. Armstrong, APLC today.
What is Assault With a Firearm?
California Penal Code 245 covers the specifics of variable circumstances for which a person may receive a conviction of assault with a firearm.
While the word “assault” implies that someone hit another person, in the case of a firearm, pointing the muzzle of the firearm at a person is considered an assault.
Such an action implies that harm is intended by the person holding the firearm pointed at another person, the victim, and that further action (a shooting) may follow.
What is the Criminal Penalty for Assault with a Firearm?
For such an action, the penalty would be from two, three, or four years in state prison, or under lesser circumstances, county jail from six months to one year. A fine of $10,000 or less, may also be applied.
While not explicitly defined, the defendant holds a revolver, pointing it at another person, for whatever reason the defendant has.
When a defendant holds a semiautomatic firearm pointed at another person, the penalty is higher, with time in a state prison from three, or six years, up to nine years.
The next level up is assault using a machinegun (PC 16880), an assault firearm (PC 30510 or 30515), or a .50 BMG rifle (PC 30530), which can serve time in state prison from four, or eight, to 12 years.
Penalties for Assault with a Firearm on a Police Officer or Firefighter
When a defendant commits assault with a firearm on a police officer or firefighter, the lesser penalty is four, six, or up to eight years in state prison.
When a semiautomatic firearm is used, the penalty is five, seven, or nine years in state prison. When a machine gun, assault firearm, or .50 BMG rifle is used, then the penalty is six years, nine years, up to 12 years in state prison.
The Defense of the Charge
- You were acting in self-defense of either
yourself or another person - Your intent was not to cause harm to another but
to protect against harm being done by anyone present, - No present ability, which means the firearm was
not loaded and there was no bullet in the chamber, such as in a semiautomatic
firearm.
Unfortunately, a police officer may misinterpret a scene, or may also have an overbearing, belligerent personality, and may take steps that are beyond his or her legal right while making an arrest.
Such a situation may include screaming at a defendant or holding a firearm to the defendant’s head after already putting on the handcuffs.
San Diego Abogado de Defensa Penal
If you have been charged with assault with a firearm, contact the experienced assault and battery attorneys at the Law Offices of Kerry L. Armstrong, APLC today for a consultation.
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