Redwood City Gun Crime Defense Lawyer

Are you looking for a gun crime defense lawyer in Redwood City, CA?

At Morales Law Firm, we are trusted gun crime defense counsel for individuals throughout Redwood City.

If you are facing a weapons or firearm charge in Redwood City, a conviction can bring prison time, the loss of your gun rights, and a felony record. California enforces some of the strictest firearm laws in the country, and prosecutors treat these cases seriously. A Redwood City, CA gun crime defense lawyer can examine how the weapon was found, whether the search was lawful, and what the prosecution can actually prove. Morales Law Firm has defended people accused of crimes across California since 1991. Contact our office for a free consultation about your case.

Gun Crime Defense Lawyer Redwood City, CA

A gun crime is any offense that involves the unlawful possession, carrying, use, or sale of a firearm. In California, that can mean carrying a concealed weapon without a license, possessing a firearm after a felony conviction, or displaying a gun during a dispute. Some of these charges are misdemeanors. Many are felonies punishable by time in state prison and the permanent loss of the right to own a firearm.

Firearms were involved in roughly 70 percent of California homicides in 2024, according to the California Department of Justice. In San Mateo County, cases like these are prosecuted at the Hall of Justice in Redwood City, where the exposure for the accused is high from the very first hearing.

Types of Gun Crime Cases We Handle in Redwood City

Firearm charges cover a wide span, from a licensing question to an allegation that a gun was used to hurt someone. We defend clients across that full range in Redwood City, and each charge calls for its own approach. The categories below are the ones we see most often.

• Unlawful Possession of a Firearm. This covers owning or holding a gun that the law does not permit you to have, whether because of the type of weapon or your background. The prosecution has to prove you knowingly possessed it. We look at how the firearm was discovered and who actually controlled it, and we test whether the search that produced it was lawful.
• Carrying a Concealed Weapon. Carrying a hidden, loaded firearm in public without a valid permit is a common charge. The rules for concealed carry are detailed, and small facts change the outcome. We review the stop, the location, and whether any exception applies.
• Felon in Possession of a Firearm. A prior felony conviction bars a person from owning or possessing a gun, and a new charge here carries serious prison exposure. These cases often come down to knowledge and control rather than ownership. We test whether the prosecution can prove both.
• Assault With a Firearm. Pointing or firing a weapon at another person raises the charge well beyond simple possession. A charge of assault with a weapon requires proof of intent and, in many cases, the absence of self-defense. We examine each element the state must establish.
• Brandishing a Firearm. Drawing or exhibiting a gun in a rude or threatening way can support a charge even if no shot is fired. Context is everything, and a lawful gun used in self-defense is treated differently than a threat. We work to show what really happened.
• Firearm Sentencing Enhancements. Using a gun during another offense, such as a robbery, adds significant time on top of the underlying charge. These allegations overlap with our Redwood City robbery defense work and demand close attention. We challenge both the base charge and the enhancement.
• Federal Firearm Charges. Some weapons cases are prosecuted in federal court under separate rules and stiffer sentencing. Our Redwood City federal defense team covers firearm cases brought by federal agencies. Our founder is admitted to practice in the Northern District of California.
• Juvenile Weapons Offenses. A minor accused of carrying or possessing a gun faces a system with its own procedures and consequences. We handle juvenile weapons cases with an eye toward protecting a young person’s future. We push for resolutions that favor rehabilitation over a lasting record.

Why Choose Morales Law Firm as my Gun Crime Defense Lawyer in Redwood City, CA?

A Certified Specialist Who Tries Cases

Our founder, Christopher F. Morales, is a certified criminal law specialist recognized by the State Bar of California’s Board of Legal Specialization. He has been named to the National Trial Lawyers Top 100, and he earned his law degree at Santa Clara Law. Facing a firearm charge, you want a criminal defense lawyer in Redwood City, CA who has actually tried cases to verdict and will prepare yours the same way.

Roots in San Mateo County

Our office sits in Redwood City, and our founder has served on the board of the San Mateo County Bar Association and chaired a county defense panel. Since 1991, we have defended thousands of people against the full range of criminal charges. Our founder has taken serious felony cases to verdict and has resolved many others through dismissals and reduced charges. Our client testimonials speak to that record. We charge a flat fee for gun cases, so the cost is clear from the start, we offer free consultations, and we have Spanish and Mandarin speaking staff.

Understanding Gun Crime Cases

Firearm charges leave little room for error, and the line between a misdemeanor and a felony often comes down to details in how the weapon was found. Knowing how these cases work helps you make sound choices from the first day. It also helps you see where a case can be won, since firearm charges frequently rise or fall on a single search or a single question of who controlled the weapon.

Charges, Penalties, and Defense Strategies for Gun Crime Cases

California sorts firearm charges by the weapon, the conduct, and the person’s history. The points below outline what you may face and where a defense can take hold.

• Misdemeanor and felony charges. Firearm offenses can be charged as misdemeanors or felonies, and the felony versions carry state prison and a lasting loss of gun rights.
• Penalties. A conviction can bring fines, probation, jail or prison, and the loss of your right to own a firearm.
• Sentencing enhancements. Using a gun during another crime can add years to a sentence, even for a first offense.
• Defense angles. Many cases depend on whether the search was lawful, whether you knew of the weapon, and whether a self-defense or licensing exception applies.

What Is the Gun Crime Case Timeline?

Every case moves at its own pace, though most firearm cases follow a familiar sequence. These are the stages you can expect.

1. Arrest and booking, followed by a bail decision and possible release.
2. Arraignment, where the charges are read and you enter your plea.
3. Pretrial hearings and motions, including a motion to suppress an unlawful search.
4. Plea negotiations, which resolve many cases before they reach trial.
5. Trial, where the prosecution must prove every element beyond a reasonable doubt.

What Are Important Aspects of a Gun Crime Case?

A firearm case usually comes down to a few decisive questions. Each one deserves a close look from the outset.

• Whether the stop or search that produced the weapon was lawful.
• Whether the prosecution can prove you knew about the firearm and controlled it.
• Whether a valid permit, registration, or self-defense claim applies to your situation.

What Should You Bring to Your Gun Crime Consultation?

Having the right paperwork on hand lets us assess your case quickly. Please gather what you can from the arrest.

• Any charging documents, citations, or police reports.
• Arrest and booking records, along with bail information.
• The date and location of your next court hearing.
• Your own notes on how the weapon was found and anyone who witnessed the events.

The first consultation is free, and it gives us the chance to review the facts, answer your questions, and lay out the options in front of you.

Redwood City Courthouses and Local Criminal Justice Resources

Redwood City sits at the center of San Mateo County’s criminal justice system, and gun cases move through the local courthouse and the agencies around it.

• Felony gun cases in Redwood City are heard at the Hall of Justice, the main courthouse for San Mateo County.
• Its criminal division sits at 400 County Center, a short distance from our Redwood City office, and it handles arraignments, motions, and trials for firearm charges filed in the county.
• Because Redwood City is the county seat, most serious felony cases in the area move through this courthouse, and local prosecutors pursue gun charges vigorously.
• The California Department of Justice publishes state crime data that tracks weapons offenses across the county and the state.
• Familiarity with the judges, the calendars, and the practices at this courthouse is part of building a strong defense, and it is a courthouse our founder has appeared in for decades.

Reach Out to Morales Law Firm to Schedule a Consultation

A firearm charge places the burden on the prosecution to prove every element of the offense. At Morales Law Firm, we will review the evidence, explain the options in front of you, and build a defense aimed at the best result the facts allow. Consultations are free, we work on a flat fee, and our office answers calls at any hour. Contact us to speak with a Redwood City gun crime defense attorney.