If you have been charged with domestic violence in California, you need to be prepared to fight back and defend your rights. Understanding your legal options can mean the difference between securing your future freedom and losing everything from your money to your work opportunities to your personal reputation.
When you work with our Thousand Oak domestic violence defense lawyer of Strongest Defense, you increase your chances of having your criminal charges reduced or dismissed. Time is of the essence when it comes to domestic violence charges because these cases can be sped up through the court system for the protection of victims, so itās essential that you reach out to schedule a free initial consultation right away.
Understanding Domestic Violence Laws In California
If you have been charged with domestic violence, there is a strong chance you are actually innocent of wrongdoing because of the ways the laws are written in California. If police are called to the scene of a suspected domestic violence incident, they are required to make an arrest, which means an innocent person might get taken into custody. You cannot necessarily fight these charges by having the victim drop them, so reaching out to our Thousand Oaks domestic violence defense lawyer is essential.
California recognizes many forms of domestic violence, and they can be committed against any member of your household, current or former spouse, co-parent, or non-married partner. Some types of domestic violence recognized by California law include:
- Striking your partner and causing visible injury
- Striking your partner and causing injury that is not visible
- Willfully leaving someone in a dangerous situation
- Inflicting emotional or mental abuse
- Financially abusing someone by controlling their money, etc.
- Stalking
- Threatening your partner
- Sexually abusing your partner
- Throwing things at your partner
- Falsely imprisoning your partner
There are more types of behaviors that count as domestic violence, but these are some of the most common examples. Additionally, if a person is charged with domestic violence in a household with a minor child, they are potentially on the hook for child abuse charges as well.
Penalties For A Domestic Violence Change In California
If you are convicted of domestic violence, you could be facing a range of penalties, but itās impossible to determine which ones might apply to you without knowing the circumstances of your case. In fact, while domestic violence is often tried as a misdemeanor, your particular case could be a felony if you caused extensive injury, have previous domestic violence charges on your record, used a weapon, or if your victim was a child.
Here are a few of the penalties typically associated with domestic violence:
- Up to 6 years in prison
- Fines of up to $10,000, plus court fees
- Up to 3 years of probation
- Court mandated classes on anger management, substance abuse, or parenting
With a domestic violence conviction on your record, you could also have trouble finding jobs and housing, lose custody of your children, and generally see a decline in reputation among your peers and loved ones. Again, these charges have a tendency to be pushed to top priority within the court, so reach out right away to exhaust your legal options and form a top-of-the-line defense.
Our Aggressive Thousand Oaks Domestic Violence Defense Lawyer Can Help Preserve Your Freedom
As a former prosecutor, the founding attorney of Strongest Defense is uniquely positioned to help you beat your criminal charges. When you work with us, we collaborate with you to understand the circumstances of your charges and craft a defense that has the best chance of being effective in court. Reach out to schedule a free initial consultation right away, and we will get started on a defense that can make a difference for you.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I lose custody of my children if I am convicted of domestic violence?
Though itās not a guarantee that you will lose custody of your children, there is a strong likelihood that your custody might be revoked if you are convicted of domestic violence. If your spouse gets a protection order after your arrest, you will likely not be allowed to see the children you have together for a while. Furthermore, if you are found to have committed domestic violence in the presence of your child, you can also be charged with child abuse.
What if my spouse/partner drops charges?
It might not matter if your spouse drops or disavows the charges. The case is being brought by the prosecution, who can proceed with the charges against you if they so choose. However, if the victim of the incident refuses to testify or provide evidence against you, there might not be enough proof to proceed with the case.
What if I only acted in self-defense?
If you were defending yourself or someone else, our team will work diligently to prove your side of the story and clear your name.
