San Diego Carjacking Defense Attorney

Experienced Southern California Carjacking Lawyer

Carjacking is a form of robbery which involves the theft of a car or other automobile by means of force or threats. The victim of a carjacking either suffers bodily injury or was threatened with bodily injury personally or to his/her family. Carjacking is a violent crime and is covered under California’s “Three Strikes and You’re Out” law, meaning anyone convicted of a previous violent crime will face double the penalties for his or her next conviction.

If you have been accused of carjacking, a defense lawyer is your best bet to avoid maximum penalties. By offering you legal advice and direction from the onset, your lawyer may be able to help you avoid a conviction altogether, may be able to negotiate a plea bargain, or may be able to have the charges dropped. A carjacking defense lawyer who is experienced and knowledgeable will be able to protect your future by ensuring law enforcement and prosecutors do not violate your constitutional rights in any way during the entire criminal process, through the investigation, arrest and trial.

Penalties for Carjacking in California

San Diego carjacking defense attorney James N. Dicks is ready to help you with your carjacking charge. He offers a free initial consultation to discuss your case and see how we can help you. Carjacking carries harsh penalties for anyone found guilty; a defense attorney is your only hope to avoid extensive incarceration in a California state prison. Although the standard state prison sentence for carjacking is 3, 5 or 9 years in state prison, often enhanced penalties apply.

• If kidnapping occurs as a result of a carjacking (such as a passenger or child in the vehicle) the sentence may be life with the possibility of parole.
• If a carjacker or person with a stolen vehicle crosses state lines, the penalty is 10 years in state prison. This is also a federal offense, with the backing of federal investigators and prosecutors.
• If someone is killed during or as a result of carjacking, this is 1st degree murder and the accused may face the death penalty.

Contact San Diego carjacking defense attorney James N. Dicks today!