How Domestic Violence Charges Are Defended in Los Angeles

Getting arrested for domestic violence charges in Los Angeles can have immediate and severe consequences for your freedom, reputation, and family. Understanding how a competent domestic violence defense attorney in Los Angeles can defend such a case will help you make informed decisions when under investigation or facing charges.

A domestic violence arrest in Los Angeles can trigger immediate, severe consequences for you. These can include mandatory protective orders and the threat of jail time. However, very rarely are these cases open-and-shut. In many cases, it has been seen that tempers flare, stories get exaggerated, and innocent people get falsely accused. Engaging the professional services of specialized domestic violence lawyers in Los Angeles will give you an aggressive, strategic defense to challenge the prosecution’s narrative and safeguard your future.

How are California’s Domestic Violence Cases Different?

Under California law, Domestic Violence can be classified under two primary statutes:

●       Domestic Battery (California Penal Code  § 243 (e)(1)PC)

This involves the intentional, unlawful touching of an intimate partner in a harmful or offensive manner. This usually applies when you intentionally use unwanted physical force or violence on your partner. This charge can be made against you even if there is no physical injury to your partner.

Penalties upon conviction may include fines of up to $2,000 and up to 12 months imprisonment in a county jail. Upon release, defendants continue to be on probation for up to five years and must attend anger management classes.

●       Corporal Injury (California Penal Code  § 273.5 PC)

This charge involves the wilful infliction of injury resulting in trauma for the victim. Depending on the seriousness of the injuries and your criminal history, you can be charged with a misdemeanor offense or a felony offense.

Penalties upon conviction may include fines of up to $6,000, a minimum 30-day jail term, and a 52-week batterer’s intervention program for misdemeanor offenses. For felony offenses, the penalties include jail terms of anywhere between 2 and 7 years (depending on the severity of the offense and past domestic violence conviction) along with fines of up to $10,000.

What Happens If Victims Retract Their Domestic Violence Accusations In California?

You may be surprised to learn that even when the accuser(s) decide to drop the charges against you, the district attorney (DA) can still decide to prosecute. This happens due to the assumption that the victim(s) are being coerced or threatened to drop the charges.

As a result, even when situations get overly complicated, domestic violence cases can proceed through the California state legal system. It is only after a thorough investigation that the DA can decide not to file official charges if they feel that no foul play was involved in the victim’s redaction of accusations. In such circumstances, the localized expertise of a reputable domestic violence defense attorney in Los Angeles can be greatly helpful, as they can step in during the pre-filing window and get your charges reduced or dismissed entirely.

What Can Your Defense Counsel Do? Exploring Possible Defense Strategies

Domestic violence allegations are frequently seen as serious crimes in Los Angeles. As a result, a domestic violence conviction can invite serious official penalties, along with the massive damage to your social, professional, and personal life.

Therefore, hiring an experienced violent crimes attorney may be the key to protecting your rights and securing your future from the potential damage caused by such charges. An attorney can help assess the allegations, provide information about the legal process, and develop possible defenses based on the facts of the case.

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Key Responsibilities Of Your Defense Counsel

• Investigating key details of the domestic violence case
• Verifying the authenticity of the accusations
• Interviewing key witnesses to gather facts on the case
• Collecting all evidence that can support your narratives
• Inspecting all evidence submitted by the prosecution to find gaps that can disprove the prosecution’s narrative
• Identifying the legality of evidence collection practices and submitting motions to dismiss all evidence collected through the violation of your Fourth Amendment rights.
• Pre-filing activities to discuss possible reduction of charges or their complete dismissal based on all credible evidence collected.

A Domestic Violence Charge In Los Angeles Demands Immediate Action

Waiting too long to consult a violent crimes attorney will result in fewer opportunities to preserve evidence or address issues that can save you from domestic violence charges. The prosecution starts building its case the moment the incident is reported. The longer you wait, the more behind you will get. Immediate consultation with a reputable attorney will help you stay ahead and prepare a strong defense that will secure your chances of acquittal or other desirable outcomes.

Have You Been Accused Of Domestic Violence?

Talk to an expert and experienced domestic violence defense attorney in Los Angeles today and explore the best defense strategies that can secure your future – now and in the future!