What is the 10-20-Life Law in California?

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The 10-20-Life law refers to laws which allow judges to enhance your sentence in a felony case if it is found that you used a firearm during the course of committing that crime. You may also hear it referred to as the “use a gun and you’re done” law. 

The numbers refer to the number of years that may be added to any sentence in these cases: 10 years, 20 years, or 25-years-to-life. 

This law is covered under California Penal Code section 12022.53. Strangely, often the very people it was meant to deter don’t usually know about the law until they’re already facing charges

The number of years depends on just what exactly you’re accused of doing with the gun.

  • If you held a gun, pointed a gun at a victim, struck someone with a gun, or displayed the gun while committing the crime, you can receive 10 years.
  • If you actually fired the gun, you could receive 20 years.
  • If you seriously injured or killed another person with the gun, you can get 25 years to life.
  • If the underlying felony was committed for the benefit of a criminal street gang and any other member of the gang uses or discharges a gun while the crime is underway, then the enhancement may apply to every person who was involved with that crime. 

Note that these are enhancements, which means they’re added to whatever sentence you’d already be serving for the felony crime in question. Thus, a felony which would normally carry a 9-year sentence could become a 19-year sentence if you held someone at gunpoint while committing the crime. 

The sentencing enhancements are not mandatory. A judge may strike or dismiss the enhancement if they wish. This means prosecutors will sometimes offer to drop the enhancements as part of a plea bargain. 

The sentencing and your case can grow even more complicated if you are accused of owning a gun that is already illegal in California, or if your weapon is not properly licensed. 

While there have been some attempts to relax or remove these laws by various lawmakers in the past, the 10-20-Life law remains firmly in place. If you are a gun owner who is accused of committing a crime in California, you need the best legal representation you can possibly get.

Don’t leave your case up to chance. Contact our offices to schedule a case review today. 

See also:

Understanding Plea Bargains in Los Angeles 

How Long Does a Criminal Case Take in Los Angeles, CA? 

Is California a Stand Your Ground State? 

What is the 10-20-Life Law in California?

inne-rpage-seperator

The 10-20-Life law refers to laws which allow judges to enhance your sentence in a felony case if it is found that you used a firearm during the course of committing that crime. You may also hear it referred to as the “use a gun and you’re done” law. 

The numbers refer to the number of years that may be added to any sentence in these cases: 10 years, 20 years, or 25-years-to-life. 

This law is covered under California Penal Code section 12022.53. Strangely, often the very people it was meant to deter don’t usually know about the law until they’re already facing charges

The number of years depends on just what exactly you’re accused of doing with the gun.

  • If you held a gun, pointed a gun at a victim, struck someone with a gun, or displayed the gun while committing the crime, you can receive 10 years.
  • If you actually fired the gun, you could receive 20 years.
  • If you seriously injured or killed another person with the gun, you can get 25 years to life.
  • If the underlying felony was committed for the benefit of a criminal street gang and any other member of the gang uses or discharges a gun while the crime is underway, then the enhancement may apply to every person who was involved with that crime. 

Note that these are enhancements, which means they’re added to whatever sentence you’d already be serving for the felony crime in question. Thus, a felony which would normally carry a 9-year sentence could become a 19-year sentence if you held someone at gunpoint while committing the crime. 

The sentencing enhancements are not mandatory. A judge may strike or dismiss the enhancement if they wish. This means prosecutors will sometimes offer to drop the enhancements as part of a plea bargain. 

The sentencing and your case can grow even more complicated if you are accused of owning a gun that is already illegal in California, or if your weapon is not properly licensed. 

While there have been some attempts to relax or remove these laws by various lawmakers in the past, the 10-20-Life law remains firmly in place. If you are a gun owner who is accused of committing a crime in California, you need the best legal representation you can possibly get.

Don’t leave your case up to chance. Contact our offices to schedule a case review today. 

See also:

Understanding Plea Bargains in Los Angeles 

How Long Does a Criminal Case Take in Los Angeles, CA? 

Is California a Stand Your Ground State? 

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