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Being accused of domestic violence can have significant impacts on your life. Possible penalties include jail time, hefty fines, and lasting damage to your reputation and relationships. If you’re facing domestic violence charges, it’s important to consult a knowledgeable and experienced defense attorney as soon as possible.
At Valhallaw, I have 25+ years of legal experience defending individuals accused of domestic violence across the Central Coast of California, including Solvang, Santa Barbara, Salinas, Los Alamos, Lompoc, Santa Maria, San Luis Obispo, Morro Bay, Paso Robles, King City, Greenfield, Carmel Valley, Watsonville, and Santa Cruz.
I am not just your legal representative; I use open communication and committed advocacy to fight for your rights, help you understand the charges against you, and identify the best approach to protect your future. Reach out to my firm today to schedule a consultation.
Domestic violence refers to abusive behaviors between individuals in close relationships. Contrary to common belief, domestic violence isn’t limited to physical harm. It can include emotional, verbal, sexual, or financial abuse and can occur between married couples, romantic partners, family members, or even roommates.
California has a broad definition of domestic violence. Standard charges include domestic battery and corporal injury on a spouse or cohabitant. These charges can stem from claims of:
Physical harm (bruises, cuts, or worse)
Threats of violence
Emotional abuse that causes severe distress
Violent or harassing communication
Sometimes, a misunderstanding or dispute spirals into a full-blown accusation. This happens more often than many people realize. Regardless of the circumstances leading to your situation, understanding your rights and options is crucial.
Domestic violence charges can have serious and long-lasting consequences. A conviction could potentially lead to jail time, restraining orders, loss of child custody, and even struggles with finding employment due to charges being added to your permanent record. The accusation alone can tarnish reputations and strain relationships.
Due to these impacts, it’s essential to obtain skilled legal representation. At my firm, I will carefully review your case to find opportunities to counter any unfounded claims. Whether it’s negotiating terms to reduce the charges or representing you before a jury, my goal as your attorney is to present the most vigorous defense possible.
I understand the complicated emotions involved in these cases and work directly with every client. You deserve an experienced criminal defense attorney who will hear your side and fight for your future.
California aggressively prosecutes domestic violence cases. If you’ve been charged with domestic violence, it’s important to understand the legal definitions and penalties involved.
Under Penal Code 243(e)(1), the state defines domestic battery as willfully touching an intimate partner in a harmful or offensive way. This doesn’t require visible proof of injury, making this one of the most common charges.
Misdemeanor penalties include up to $2,000 in fines and up to one year in jail. Counseling or community service may also be required.
Corporal injury applies when a visible physical injury occurs (even minor bruising). It’s considered more severe than domestic battery and can be charged as a felony or misdemeanor, depending on the specifics.
Felony consequences: Up to four years in prison and fines of up to $6,000, especially if the alleged victim has suffered significant harm.
Repeat violations: Enhanced penalties apply for repeat offenses.
Courts often issue restraining orders alongside domestic violence cases, which may restrict where you can live, who you can contact, and even impact custody arrangements. Violating these orders can attract additional charges. California takes claims of domestic violence very seriously. Having a clear understanding of the legal framework is the first step toward defending yourself.
One of the challenges of domestic violence accusations is their emotional complexity. It’s not uncommon for one partner to make false or exaggerated claims out of anger, jealousy, or a desire for leverage in child custody or divorce proceedings.
As your attorney, I will carefully assess the evidence, witness testimony, police reports, and any context behind the accusations to build your defense. Some potential defense approaches that might apply to your case include:
False allegations: If the accusation is untrue, I will strive to identify inconsistencies through thorough cross-examination and evidence gathering.
Self-defense: If you acted to defend yourself or others, I will demonstrate how your actions were justified under California law.
Lack of evidence: The prosecution must prove their case beyond a reasonable doubt; lack of evidence can form the basis of a strong defense.
Consent or mutual action: Where applicable, we can argue that the dispute wasn’t one-sided or hadn’t escalated to unlawful behavior.
At Valhallaw, I use my experience in civil and criminal law to defend those accused of domestic violence across the Central Coast of California, including Solvang, Santa Barbara, Salinas, Los Alamos, Lompoc, Santa Maria, San Luis Obispo, Morro Bay, Paso Robles, King City, Greenfield, Carmel Valley, Watsonville, and Santa Cruz.
I strive to deliver effective legal representation and help clients protect their rights, reputations, and futures. If you’re facing domestic violence charges, contact Valhallaw today.
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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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