Domestic Violence Attorney in Los Angeles, California

If you have been charged with domestic violence in California, you may be convicted of a misdemeanor or felony. If so, you could face penalties such as prison time, fines, probation, community service, lengthy restraining orders, having to take a year-long class at your own expense, a lifetime ban on access to firearms, and other life-altering consequences. Now is the time to contact a domestic violence attorney in Los Angeles, California who can fight on your behalf.

As a criminal defense attorney with over 25 years of civil and trial law experience (experience in both criminal cases and in Domestic Violence Restraining Orders), I have helped hundreds of clients in domestic violence cases similar to yours. I can listen to your story, assess your case, develop a winning strategy, and go over your legal options. Call the Law Office of Alec Rose, PC today to get a free consultation with a California domestic violence lawyer.

How Does California Define Domestic Violence?

Legally, domestic violence is any physical, emotional, sexual, or other type of violence that takes place between people who may be married or not married, heterosexual, gay, or lesbian, living together, separated, or dating. Domestic violence can include:

• Physical assault

• Sexual abuse

• Stalking

• Emotional abuse or intimidation

• Verbal abuse, such as blame, threats, or coercion

For a Petition for a Domestic Violence Restraining Order (DVRO), Domestic Violence can also include any words or actions that disturb the emotional calm of a former spouse, dating partner, or other parent of your child. A DVRO is not a criminal case, and there is a low standard of proof. If a DVRO is issued, the orders will include many restrictions on your activities, can require you to move out of a residence (even if you are the owner or renter), can require you to take an expensive year-long course at your own expense, and can result in a lengthy or even lifetime ban on having access to firearms.

Although all abuse at home is serious and should be addressed, not every act of abuse is criminal. Furthermore, it is important to assess the charge to determine the level of abuse. For instance, there is a difference between two people getting physical together and a person who attacks someone, causing severe injury or fatality. Those types of unique considerations should be taken into account when defending your case.

Don’t Let a Dispute at Home Escalate into a Domestic Violence Conviction Or a Restraining Order

911 calls for violence at home are common in the Los Angeles area. As a result, police are often quick to arrest someone and charge them with domestic violence. In reality, these charges may not have merit or be based on any real evidence of abuse or violence. However, overcoming a domestic violence charge can be an uphill climb if the alleged victim hires a lawyer.

If you have been charged, you should consult with an attorney and get legal representation for your case. I can review your case to determine the legitimacy of the charges against you. Even if you are guilty of the charges, I can review the facts surrounding your case to determine what happened, who is at fault, and what level of violence you actually committed versus what you were charged with.

Penalties for Domestic Violence in California

The penalties for domestic violence depend on the circumstances of your case and whether the conviction against you is a misdemeanor or a felony. Some of the penalties for a felony may include:

• Fines and court fees

• A prison sentence of up to one year

• Mandatory counseling

• Probation

• Community service

In addition to the legal penalties for domestic violence, you may also face consequences that can drastically alter your life such as:

• Losing custody of your children

• Difficulty finding a job

• Difficulty finding a place to live

• Public scrutiny and embarrassment

• Failing criminal background checks

• Losing your rights to own or access firearms

For all these reasons, it is absolutely crucial that you seek help from an experienced criminal defense attorney as soon as possible. Waiting to get an aggressive legal representative on your side can only hurt your case in the long run, making these consequences that much more likely to occur. For a DVRO case, your court date comes up within a few weeks of being served with the papers, and you need an attorney who can help you start preparing to fight your case immediately.