A police officer who formerly served with the Oakland Police Department in California entered a not guilty plea to charges, including brandishing a firearm and false imprisonment, in early July.
The officer, who had joined the Oakland police force back in April of 2015, has been charged in connection with an off-duty incident involving a maintenance worker at his Emeryville apartment. According to court documents, the worker in question had been painting the officers apartment, but when the officer returned home and did not recognize the man, he pulled his weapon.
In entering a not guilty plea, the officer admitted to making an “honest mistake” during the confrontation, but maintained he had informed his building manager that he did not want strangers in his home, as it contained several guns and stores of ammunition.
Although this is not the first misconduct incident to shake the Oakland police, the officer’s defense noted that no one was injured in the incident, and it was confirmed that the officer was not under the influence at the time of the confrontation.
Gun Crime Defense
Under the California Penal Code, there are a number of provisions that specifically address gun crime, including federal statutes specific to the manufacturing, sale or distribution of weapons. Depending on the situation, a local case can quickly escalate to the federal level, so it is important to quickly enlist the qualified counsel of a criminal defense attorney.
Gun crime refers to a wide variety of potential offenses, each carrying their own severity of punishment, including:
- Possession of an unregistered firearm
- Possession of a stolen firearm
- Possession of an assault weapon
- Possession or sale of handguns or machine guns
Depending on the situation, a weapons charge may be used to enhance other charges, especially in cases where the weapon was allegedly used to help commit a crime. For example, if you stand accused of robbery, but are alleged to have used a gun during the course of the crime, you may face enhanced charges.
Although California has experienced an increase in counties issuing concealed carry permits, many state residents are still unaware that, regardless of whether or not they have a concealed carry license, there are still places where weapons are prohibited. Even in these cases, when the weapon is registered and licensed, you can be accused of violating the law.
Criminal Defense Attorneys in California
If you or someone you love stands accused of a gun-related offense, or if you are experiencing legal issues tied to gun crime, it is critical that you contact a qualified criminal defense attorney as soon as possible.
That’s where the skilled attorneys at Gurovich, Berk & Associates come in. Based in Los Angeles, our criminal defense attorneys have more than 35 years of combined legal experience defending those accused of criminal offenses, including gun crime and other weapons offenses. Our in-depth knowledge of both state and federal gun statutes make our firm the premier legal resource for those facing these types of charges.
Regardless of your situation, if you are facing gun-related charges, our firm can provide the sound defense you need. To schedule a complimentary initial consultation to assess your case, contact the criminal defense attorneys at Gurovich, Berk & Associates today at (213) 385-1555.