Gun use in criminal cases, particularly in Los Angeles County, is a matter of grave concern due to the high number of injuries and fatalities. The District Attorney's office, responsible for prosecuting felonies, and the City Attorney's office, handling misdemeanors, have implemented stringent policies regarding gun-related offenses.
The City Attorney has special gun prosecutors that all they do is prosecute misdemeanor cases where guns are involved. This gives you an idea of how seriously they take the use of firearms in criminal cases.
Even at the felony level, if someone is charged related to a gun possession case, I see now in LA County that almost every gun possession case is being booked and sometimes filed as a felony. In contrast, it used to be only a straight misdemeanor to carry a gun.
So, it's just surprising politically how vicious, especially the police, have gotten because they're concerned that gun use will cause their officers to be hurt or even killed. That's the perspective you're facing.
There's a division when you talk about gun use in a criminal case. One is crimes that involve just the use of a gun. Someone possesses a firearm; someone fires a gun at somebody. The other one is what is called enhancements. Let's say someone uses a gun to commit a Penal Code 211 PC robbery. There is a 10-year enhancement in LA County for firearms used during a robbery.
For instance, a person charged with a robbery involving a gun could face a 10-year enhancement in LA County. This means they could potentially serve 16 years in prison, as a robbery carries a high term of six years, and the use of a gun in a violent felony is a serious offense.
So, you start to feel how harshly gun cases are prosecuted, especially in LA County. Our Los Angeles criminal defense lawyers will explain the topic in more detail below.
What Are California Statutes Related to Weapons?
- Penal Code 12022 PC – armed with a firearm during a felony,
- Penal Code 12022.2 PC – ammunition to penetrate armor,
- Penal Code 12022.3 PC – use of a gun in a sex crime,
- Penal Code 12022.4 PC – aiding and abetting a felony with a gun,
- Penal Code 12022.5 PC – use of a firearm in a felony,
- Penal Code 12022.53 PC – use a gun, and you're done law,
- Penal Code 12022.55 PC – discharge firearm during a felony,
- Penal Code 16590 PC – prohibited weapons,
- Penal Code 171(b) PC – weapon possession in public buildings,
- Penal Code 171.5 PC – weapons at California airports,
- Penal Code 171.7 PC – weapons at public transit facilities,
- Penal Code 186.22 PC – street gang enhancement,
- Penal Code 22610 PC – stun gun and taser laws,
- Penal Code 245(a)(1) PC – assault with a deadly weapon,
- Penal Code 246 PC – shooting at an inhabited dwelling,
- Penal Code 24610 PC – undetectable firearm,
- Penal Code 25100 PC – storage with a prohibited person,
- Penal Code 25400 PC – carrying a concealed firearm,
- Penal Code 25850 PC – carrying a loaded firearm,
- Penal Code 26100 PC – drive-by shooting law,
- Penal Code 26350 PC – open carry of an unloaded firearm,
- Penal Code 29800 PC – felon in possession of a firearm,
- Penal Code 30315 PC – possession of armor-piercing bullets,
- Penal Code 30600 PC – assault weapons and rifles,
- Penal Code 30605 PC – possession of an assault weapon,
- Penal Code 33215 PC – short-barreled rifles,
- Penal Code 33410 PC – possession of a silencer,
- Penal Code 33600 PC – zip guns,
- Penal Code 417 PC – brandishing a weapon,
- Penal Code 417.25 PC – pointing a laser scope,
- Penal Code 417.6 PC – inflicting a bodily injury,
- Penal Code 626.9 PC – gun free school zone.
Assault with a Firearm – Penal Code PC 245(a)(2)
Assault with a firearm charge is defined under California Penal Code 245(a)(2). The prosecutor would file a form of assault crime if you used a firearm to commit an assault crime.
It's closely related to assault with a deadly weapon under California Penal Code Section 245(a)(1). Still, the difference is that the assault was committed with an actual firearm, and the assault was committed with enough force that it was likely to produce great bodily injury.
If convicted, you could face harsh legal consequences that will make it difficult for you to find employment and limit other opportunities. If you have a prior felony conviction, you could also be at risk of getting a ‘strike” under California's three-strikes law.
You will face up to 6 months to 1 year in county jail, a fine of up to $1,000, or both jail and a fine. If convicted of a felony case of assault with a firearm, the legal penalties include up to 4 years in a California state prison, a fine of up to $10,000, or both jail and a fine.
The Policy of the New Los Angeles District Attorney
As I write this post, the new District Attorney has backed off on some of these gun allegations. So, many times, prosecutors are not using the 10-year mandatory minimum.
Often, they're using another gun law that is 3-4-10. So, in that circumstance, someone could get three years instead of 10 years for gun use. Sometimes, gun cases are being struck altogether because of either the District Attorney's policies at this time or even Prop 57 in prison striking some of these enhancements.
Given the severity of the legal consequences, it's crucial to have a skilled attorney on your side. A good attorney will thoroughly examine your case, consider all mitigating circumstances, and work tirelessly to secure the best possible outcome for you.
I've been doing this now for 30 years. I've defended people who are charged with possessing and using guns. I've defended people related to enhancements related to gun use all over California, specifically in LA County.
So, if you or a loved one is charged with a gun case in LA County or any of the surrounding counties, you've come to the right place. Pick up the phone. Ask for a meeting with Ron Hedding.
I can meet with you in person, over the phone, or via email—whatever works for you—but you should act immediately. The Hedding Law Firm offers a free case consultation by phone or the contact form.
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