Domestic Violence Conviction: Possible Outcomes

If you are facing a charge of domestic violence, chances are you’re frustrated and maybe even a bit frightened by the potential outcome of your pending case. And that’s understandable since the state of California takes accusations of domestic violence very seriously. Unfortunately, many innocent people are accused of domestic violence every day. Being convicted of a domestic violence offense can have consequences that are nothing short of devastating, so pleading not guilty and seeking out a seasoned Los Angeles domestic violence attorney is a smart move.

If you or someone you love are facing accusations of domestic violence, you are not alone. Okabe & Haushalter works tirelessly and aggressively for our clients, with an eye towards minimizing any ramifications of charges in criminal court. Contact us right away following your arrest or indictment so that we can begin strategizing your defense.

Penalties for Domestic Violence in California

Domestic violence in California is punishable by jail or prison sentence, with mandatory jail time based on the nature of the offense. Convicted persons also face other penalties, including:

• Payment of steep fines
• Restitution to the victim
• Mandatory requirement to participate in California’s Batterer’s Intervention Program
• Restraining order to stay away from the victim
• Loss of custody of children
• Loss of rights to own and carry a gun
• For non-citizens, potential deportation or declaration of inadmissibility to the country

In addition, to be convicted of a domestic violence offense also establishes a permanent criminal record for the defendant. This criminal record will follow the defendant around for life, resulting in problems establishing credit, getting a job, renting a home, and getting an education. These penalties apply regardless of whether the accused is sentenced to probation, both summary probation for misdemeanor convictions and formal probation for felony offenders.

Possible Defenses for Domestic Violence

Our Los Angeles domestic violence attorneys help our clients fight back against erroneous charges of domestic violence. Some potential legal defenses for domestic violence include:

• The incident was accidental
• The victim is falsely accusing the defendant
• The defendant was acting in self-defense when the incident occurred
• The injuries from the incident were not a result of the actions of the defendant

These are just some common defenses used in domestic violence cases; your defense should be based on the totality of the circumstances of your case and any evidence against you. In many cases, it is possible to have domestic violence charges thrown out altogether. In other cases, it is possible to negotiate with prosecutors to obtain a more favorable charge with lesser penalties.

You Are Not Alone

If you are facing domestic violence charges, Okabe & Haushalter are here to help. We handle a range of domestic violence cases, from spousal abuse to elder abuse, child neglect and domestic battery. Our Los Angeles domestic violence attorney can help you determine your best course of action moving forward and minimize the penalties of your charge with an ultimate goal of dismissal or acquittal. Contact us at 310-430-7799 to arrange a confidential, no-obligation case review with our compassionate team.