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Being accused of battery is a serious matter, and the consequences of a conviction can have considerable impacts on your life.
Battery charges require a lawyer who will thoroughly investigate the details of your case, challenge the evidence, and passionately advocate on your behalf. At Valhallaw, I’m committed to helping clients defend against battery charges in the Central Coast region of California.
Located in Solvang, California, I serve clients throughout Santa Barbara, Salinas, Los Alamos, Lompoc, Santa Maria, San Luis Obispo, Morro Bay, Paso Robles, King City, Greenfield, Carmel Valley, Watsonville, and Santa Cruz.
If you’re facing battery charges, you don’t have to go through it alone. The criminal justice system can be intimidating, and your defense is critical to protecting your rights, freedom, and future.
Under California Penal Code § 242, battery is defined as “the willful and unlawful use of force or violence upon the person of another.” Importantly, this means that physical contact must occur for an incident to qualify as battery. However, the intent to harm doesn’t need to be proven. If someone intentionally makes physical contact, even without malicious intent, this technically satisfies the statute.
For example, shoving someone in a heated argument or grabbing someone’s arm during an altercation can be classified as battery, even if there was no intention to cause harm. While such actions might not seem significant to the accused, they can still lead to criminal charges, depending on the circumstances.
California law distinguishes between two primary types of battery: general battery, which is classified as a misdemeanor, and aggravated battery, which may be charged as a felony.
Aggravated battery involves causing serious bodily injury to another person or using a deadly weapon during the act. The penalties for these charges vary and can include fines, imprisonment, probation, and a permanent criminal record.
As your attorney, I strive to help you analyze your case and identify the applicable defenses to protect your rights and future.
Beyond the potential legal consequences, being accused with battery can harm your personal relationships, career, and reputation. Attempting to handle these charges without skilled legal representation is a risky path.
One key reason to seek legal support is the complexity of battery cases. From reviewing police reports to gathering witness statements and challenging evidence, defending these charges requires in-depth legal knowledge and attention to detail.
Battery cases frequently involve conflicting accounts of what happened. I’ll work to uncover inconsistencies in the accuser’s testimony or evidence that may weaken the prosecution’s case.
Additionally, being charged with battery doesn’t mean you’ll automatically be convicted. Numerous defenses may apply to your situation, such as self-defense, defense of others, or accidental contact. I’ll assess every detail of your case to identify the most effective defense strategies.
At Valhallaw, you get an advocate committed to defending your freedom and protecting your rights. My extensive trial experience allows me to handle cases inside and outside the courtroom, so no option is left unexplored in providing you with a solid defense.
Every battery case is unique, and it’s important to tailor the strategy you use for your defense to the specifics of your case. Some common defenses to battery accusations in California include:
Self-defense or defense of others: If you acted to protect yourself or someone else from imminent harm, this might be a valid defense. The key is to demonstrate that your actions were reasonable and necessary under the circumstances.
Consent: If the alleged victim consented to the physical contact that occurred, the element of unlawful force may not hold up in court.
Accidental contact: Battery requires intent. If physical contact was purely accidental and not willful, this defense could cast doubt on the accusations against you.
False allegations: Sometimes, individuals make false accusations of battery out of anger, jealousy, or a desire for retaliation. By thoroughly investigating your case, I can uncover any inconsistencies or motives behind the allegations.
Your defense starts the moment you contact my firm. I’ll take the time to understand your side of the story and analyze every detail of the case against you to determine the best approach to protect your rights and interests.
Facing accusations of battery is not just about responding to charges; it’s about building a proactive and comprehensive defense strategy that protects your freedom. When you choose Valhallaw, you can access proactive legal guidance for the strongest defense possible.
Building a defense isn’t simply about courtroom arguments. It’s about making sure every detail is analyzed before your case even reaches that point. Negotiations with prosecutors, motions to suppress evidence, and pretrial strategy all play a critical role in achieving favorable results.
My goal is to minimize the impact charges have on your life. Depending on your case, I may pursue reducing charges, negotiating plea agreements, or fighting for acquittal.
When facing accusations as serious as battery, you deserve representation backed by experience. With nearly three decades of legal experience, I have successfully guided clients through civil and criminal cases.
As an established criminal defense attorney, I have fought for successful outcomes for my clients, delivering legal advocacy that reflects my commitment to their well-being. Call Valhallaw for dedicated support in Solvang, Santa Barbara, Salinas, Santa Maria, and the entire Central Coast region.
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The information on this website is for general information purposes only. Nothing on this site should be taken as legal advice for any individual case or situation. This information is not intended to create, and receipt or viewing does not constitute, an attorney-client relationship.
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