
Being charged with a crime involving a firearm can have lasting implications under California law. A Yuba County gun crime lawyer can provide you with information about your allegations, including an explanation of the charges, relevant California statutes, and possible penalties. Firearm offenses can arise from a variety of circumstances. Understanding the charges against you and your rights can help you approach your case with confidence.
Jennifer Granger, Attorney at Law, has been helping clients throughout Northern California for over 30 years. In 1994, she was admitted to the State Bar of California and has practiced law in Nevada, Yuba, Sutter, and Placer Counties, as well as in other nearby jurisdictions.
Ms. Granger was formerly a Yuba County and Nevada County Deputy Public Defender. She has extensive experience defending non-U.S. citizens at the federal level. She understands how the criminal justice system works and can identify effective legal strategies for various firearm offenses.
Firearm charges can result from numerous situations. For instance, certain charges revolve around possessing a firearm or other weapon. Other allegations involve carrying, transporting, selling, and using firearms. California has some of the strictest gun laws in the country, and penalties can include misdemeanor convictions and felony charges. Common gun crime charges are listed below:
California has several statutes involving weapons and firearm offenses. California Penal Code Section 25400 makes it illegal to carry a concealed firearm. Carrying a concealed handgun on your person or within a vehicle can lead to charges under this law.
California Penal Code Section 29800 makes it illegal for certain people to own, purchase, receive, or possess a firearm. Those who are prohibited include felons and those convicted of other specific crimes. If someone is convicted of this crime, it can lead to felony charges.
In some cases, the prosecution must prove that a defendant was in a particular position of possession. They might have to prove you were aware the weapon was there, or that it was yours or under your command. Issues with how law enforcement conducted a search, seizure, or arrest can also play a part in your defense.
In 2024, California reported 2,853 gun-related deaths, which equaled a firearm mortality rate of 7 per 100,000 population. As a result, California prosecutors take gun crimes seriously. A conviction can lead to serious gun crime penalties.
Penalties for firearm offenses can range from misdemeanors to felonies. Some crimes, such as using a firearm to commit another felony, can enhance penalties for a related charge. Some consequences of a gun crime conviction are listed below:
Sentencing can be affected by your criminal history, the facts of the case, and the type of firearm you were found in possession of.
Many people decide to hire a gun crime lawyer in Yuba County, CA because gun laws can be very complicated. Criminal defense attorneys can go over your charges, police reports, searches, witness statements, and other factors to develop a legal strategy for you. Your lawyer can meticulously dissect the prosecution’s arguments to uncover weaknesses beneficial to your defense.
A Yuba County gun crime attorney can also look for issues with how police conducted your vehicle stop, search, arrest, and/or collection of evidence. If officers failed to honor your constitutional rights, this can be used to build a defense. In some cases, it could potentially result in charges being dismissed.
Yuba County criminal cases dealing with weapons and firearms are usually managed through the Yuba County Superior Court. If you have been charged with a crime, you may have to appear for arraignments, pretrial hearings, evidentiary hearings, settlement conferences, and trial at the Yuba County Superior Court located at 215 Fifth Street, Marysville, CA 95901.
In some cases, a felon can restore gun rights in California. Restoring firearm rights in California can be complicated. Whether you are eligible depends on what you were convicted of, whether the offense can be legally reduced or dismissed in the State of California, and whether you are also federally prohibited from firearm ownership. Not all felony convictions are eligible for relief.
You do not have to voluntarily tell police you have a gun in the car in California. However, should an officer inquire as to whether there are weapons in the vehicle, the driver and passengers should provide truthful answers. Firearms being transported in a vehicle must be carried in accordance with all laws relating to the storage and transportation of firearms, including being unloaded and stored in a locked container under many conditions.
Yes, you can be charged with a gun crime even if the gun belongs to someone else in Yuba County. Ownership isn’t always the key to a firearm case. The prosecutor can still prosecute someone if they feel that person had possession or control of that firearm, even if someone else owned it. Knowledge of and access to the firearm can become issues in regard to criminal liability.
If a gun is found at a traffic stop in Yuba County, police may assess whether the person was legally allowed to be carrying it. Questions may arise based on where the gun was situated, whether it was loaded, and whether the person was allowed to carry a gun. The traffic stop may end in warnings, citations, arrests, or an investigation.
If you have been charged with a gun crime, Jennifer Granger, Attorney at Law, can help defend you and advocate for your rights and future. Contact us to discuss your gun crime charges.