Domestic abuse is a severe felony in the state of California. Harming or threatening to harm an intimate relationship, such as a current or former spouse or romantic partner, is illegal under California’s domestic abuse statutes. You might be prosecuted with domestic violence or inflicting corporal injury on an intimate relationship if you injure an intimate partner.
These offenses are punishable by imprisonment or prison term. However, as a domestic violence criminal defense lawyer may explain, they come with a slew of side effects. In other words, if you are convicted of domestic abuse in California, it may have long-term consequences that go beyond the court sentence. If you are facing these charges, contact Chambers Law Firm at 714-760-4088 for a free legal consultation.
You could have a criminal record for the rest of your life.
To begin, you will have a lifelong criminal record if you are convicted of domestic abuse. You’ll also have to serve at least one year in prison, complete a batterer’s intervention program, and pay penalties and/or reparations to the victim. Furthermore, a conviction for domestic abuse might result in:
- A protective (restraining) order
- Custody and/or visiting rights are revoked
- Loss of the right to keep and bear arms
- Consequences of Immigration (i.e. deportation or inadmissibility)
These penalties are considerably more severe than what you could face if you’re convicted of a felony that isn’t related to domestic abuse. Most of them apply even if you’ve been convicted of misdemeanor domestic abuse and given a probationary sentence.
It is vital to work with an experienced criminal defense attorney
As a result, it’s important to consult with a skilled domestic violence criminal defense lawyer who can build a solid case against these accusations. Domestic violence cases can be defended in a variety of ways, depending on the facts and circumstances of the case.
Your lawyer, for example, may claim that whatever occurred was an accident and that you did not want to harm your intimate partner. In rare circumstances, your lawyer may be able to show that the supposed victim is making a false accusation to obtain an advantage.
Your lawyer might perhaps claim that you acted in self-defense or to defend someone else. If your spouse, for example, was yelling and hurling objects at you and your small child, you may have opted to restrain her to protect yourself and your child. This can be used as a defense to domestic violence accusations in specific situations.
We represent clients accused of all sorts of California crimes, including domestic violence offenses, at Chambers Law Firm. We will vigorously argue for you, defending your rights and liberties. Contact us now at 714-760-4088 to learn more or to book a consultation with a domestic violence criminal defense attorney.
