Encino Gun Defense Lawyer | Sterling Defense

Legally Reviewed By

Justin E. Sterling

Criminal Defense Attorney

An award-winning trial lawyer specializing in criminal defense and civil rights, Mr. Sterling has dedicated his career to representing the accused as well as those who have been mistreated by law enforcement.

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California has some of the strictest gun laws in the country. A conviction on gun charges can result in severe prison time and hefty fines, as well as long-term obstacles in your personal life. Fortunately, there are many potential defenses in a gun crime case. An experienced Encino gun defense attorney can review the details of your case and explain your best options for fighting the charges against you.

At the Law Offices of Justin E. Sterling, we have more than 20 years of experience representing Encino residents charged with gun crimes. We are often able to get weapons charges reduced or dropped, and we always fight fiercely to minimize the impact of a case on our clients’ lives.

If you’re an Encino resident facing gun crime charges, contact the Law Offices of Justin E. Sterling today for a free and confidential case review. We also represent clients in the following locations: Beverly Hills, Brentwood, Burbank, Century City, Los Angeles Airport, Marina Del Rey, Pasadena, Sherman Oaks, Torrance, Valencia, West Los Angeles, and Woodlands Hills.

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(818) 995-9452

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“Justin is a dying breed of lawyer. He's fearless and has an innate understanding of what injustice looks like. Never hesitates to speak truth to power.”
-Daily Journal

Why Choose the Law Offices of Justin E. Sterling?

Our Encino criminal defense law firm handles cases at both the state and federal level. We have extensive experience successfully representing people who have been charged with serious gun crimes.

We offer:

Over two decades of criminal defense experience, with more than 100 cases tried to verdict
An in-house team of investigators with senior law enforcement backgrounds
A limited caseload allowing for personalized legal representation
Outstanding working relationships with prosecutors, district attorneys, and law enforcement throughout the Southland criminal justice system

Penalties for a Weapons Crime Conviction

Here are the penalties for some common weapons crimes:

Assault with a weapon

A prison sentence of up to 4 years and a fine not exceeding $10,000

Brandishing a firearm

A maximum 1-year jail sentence and a fine of up $1,000

Carrying a concealed and/or loaded handgun

Up to 3 years in prison if charged as a felony

Manufacture or possession of destructive devices

A maximum 4-year prison sentence

Transfer of large-capacity magazines

A maximum 1-year jail sentence for a misdemeanor and a maximum 3-year prison sentence for a felony

Bringing firearms in a prohibited area

A jail sentence ranging from 6 months to 7 years

Call us today for help

(818) 995-9452

Get A Free Case Review

Common Defenses to Gun Charges

An experienced Encino gun defense lawyer may consider a variety of strategies to undermine the prosecution’s case:

The gun isn’t yours: Some gun charges, such as possession, depend on the gun actually belonging to you. For example, if gun the was found in your car, your attorney may be able to argue that it belonged to a previous passenger.
Fourth Amendment: We are protected from unlawful searches and seizures by the Fourth Amendment. The police are only allowed to search your person or vehicle in certain circumstances (i.e., they have a warrant). If the gun was discovered during an illegal search, certain evidence or the entire case may be dismissed.
Self-defense: Shooting a gun may be justified if the shooter had a reasonable fear of death or bodily harm.
Police entrapment: The police cannot force, coerce, or harass you into committing a crime. This is known as “entrapment” and can lead to the case being dismissed.
Accidental discharge: Some gun crimes require the intentional shooting of the weapon. Your attorney may argue that you accidentally discharged the weapon.

After an arrest, the sooner you speak with an attorney, the better. There are many opportunities early on to begin building a strong defense.

Gun Charges Defenses

Our Clients Say It Best

Justin is an aggressive lawyer who is committed to his clients. I knew Justin when he was coming up in the Public Defender’s Office and have witnessed him cross-examine police officers as well as give a closing argument. He is excellent. Justin is at the top of his game and it has been a pleasure to watch him establish himself as a dedicated and effective lawyer with a solid reputation within the Los Angeles legal community.

- I.W., Attorney at Law

Justin’s knowledge of the law, trial experience in LA County courthouses, and respect among judges and prosecutors is a point of difference between him and other defense attorneys. Outlawyered everyone in the courtroom. Case dismissed!

- I.R., Former Client

I met Mr. Sterling over 2 years ago when he represented my brother in a very serious case. I attended all court hearings and met with Mr. Sterling numerous times during the course of the case. I am happy to write this recommendation of Mr. Sterling because he is a gifted lawyer who can help. Experienced, knowledgeable, and he actually cares. In court he was aggressive and effective. My family and I basically credit Mr. Sterling with saving my brothers life. The case went to trial and he was acquitted of the most serious charges. If you are looking for a responsive lawyer who has the ability to get results, I would not look beyond this attorney. Mr. Sterling loves what he does, which is pretty evident in the level of service he provides.

- Former Client

Justin has unwavering commitment in what he does.

- R.E., Attorney at Law

Mr. Sterling is a compassionate attorney and person. He goes the extra mile for his clients. He has done so for me on more than one occasion.

- P.S., Former Client

It’s no coincidence that year in and year out Mr. Sterling is recognized by his clients, peers, and third party rankings as one of the best in his field.

- J.P., Attorney at Law

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Our Criminal Defense Case Results

At the Law Offices of Justin E. Sterling, we know results matter. It’s your life and your future on the line. We have successfully defended individuals facing serious criminal charges, secured dismissals, not-guilty verdicts, and achieved life-changing outcomes in both state and federal courts. While every case is unique, these examples reflect our experience and commitment to justice.

Firearms & Weapons Charges

Felony Firearm & Drug Charges

DISMISSED

Early defense intervention convinced prosecutors not to file charges.

Unlawful Discharge of Firearm

NO CHARGES FILED

Case rejected by the District Attorney before the first court appearance.

Common Weapons Cases We Handle

We have represented clients facing weapons charges of all kinds. In particular, we have extensive experience handling the following cases:

Aggravated assault with a deadly weapon – California Penal Code 245(a)(1)
Assault with a weapon – California Penal Code 245(a)(2)
Brandishing a firearm – California Penal Code 417
Carrying a concealed and/or loaded handgun – California Penal Code 25400
Dealing in assault weapons without a license – California Penal Code 26500
Illegal discharge of firearms – California Penal Code 246.3.
Improper handling of a firearm in a motor vehicle – California Penal Code 25850
Making false statements to obtain firearms – California Penal Code 115
Manufacture or possession of destructive devices – California Penal Code 18720
Transfer of large-capacity magazines – California Penal Code 32310
Use of firearms in a restricted area or for self-defense – California Penal Code 171.7
Possession of grenade launchers, grenades, machine guns, multi-burst trigger activators, shotguns and short-barreled rifles, silencers, etc.– California Penal Code 18710
Possession of prohibited weapons such as billy clubs, switchblade knives, and brass knuckles – California Penal Code 16590
Possession of unregistered firearms or assault weapons – California Penal Code 12031 and 25850
Possession of a weapon by a convicted felon – California Penal Code 29800

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Understanding California’s Three-Strikes Law-img

Who Is Prevented from Owning a Firearm in California?

Most people in California who are 21 or older may own a firearm. However, the state carves out exceptions to the right of gun ownership on public safety grounds, including:

Convicted felons
Narcotics addicts
People with two or more convictions under California Penal Code 417
People who suffer from mental illness
People under 18
People convicted of certain misdemeanor offenses

Levels of Weapons Charges in California

In California, some gun crimes are charged as misdemeanors and others are charged as felonies. If the crime is considered a “wobbler” offense, it may be charged as either a misdemeanor or a felony depending on the nature of the crime.

There are also certain aggravating factors known as “gun enhancements” that may increase the sentence of a gun crime considerably.

Misdemeanor

Most lower-level gun crimes are considered misdemeanors. These crimes generally involve instances of illegal gun use or ownership in which the gun is not used to commit a more serious offense, such as murder.

Examples of misdemeanor gun crimes include:

Illegal concealed carry ─ California Penal Code 29800 (This is generally charged as a misdemeanor, but it may be charged as a felony if the offender has a previous felony gun conviction, the gun was stolen or illegally possessed, or the offender was a gang member.)
Carrying a loaded firearm ─ California Penal Code 25850
Brandishing a weapon ─ California Penal Code 417
Selling firearms without a license ─ California Penal Code 26500

Examples of felony gun crimes include:

Shooting at inhabited or occupied buildings or vehicles ─ California Penal Code 246
Assault with a firearm ─ California Penal Code 245
Possession of destructive device materials ─ California Penal 18720
Drive-by shooting ─ California Penal Code 26100

Gun enhancements

California punishes crimes more harshly if the perpetrator was in possession of a firearm while committing the crime.

Under California Penal Code 12022 and 12022.5, offenders may have between 1 and 10 years added to their prison sentence if a gun was used to commit the underlying the crime.

For example, if you commit murder, rape, robbery, or kidnapping and have a gun in your possession, you may face up to 10 more years in prison than if no gun was involved. If you had a gun and fired it, you may face up to 20 more years in prison. If the bullet struck and seriously injured or killed someone, you may get an additional 25 years added to your sentence.

Gun Enhancement Consequences

How an Encino Weapons Charges Attorney Can Help

California’s gun laws are strict and difficult to navigate. You may have been unaware you were violating the law and still end up facing serious charges. A conviction could have serious consequences, such as prison time and substantial fines.

If you are facing gun charges, the first thing you should do is contact an experienced criminal defense attorney in Encino. An attorney can analyze the facts of your case and craft a legal strategy aimed at achieving the best possible outcome.

The Law Offices of Justin E. Sterling believes everyone is entitled to a rigorous defense. We have years of experience representing clients facing gun charges, including assault with a deadly weapon, possession of an illegal firearm, and illegal sale of a firearm. Contact our Encino gun crimes attorney today for a free review of your case.

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Gun Defense Attorney Encino, LA