Okabe & Haushalter is a Los Angeles criminal defense law firm whose attorneys are committed to helping clients who are facing domestic violence accusations. We understand the gravity of these charges and will fight to protect your rights under the U.S. Constitution, providing an effective defense strategy that can hold up in court, even in the face of the often gruesome and violent accusations you face.
When you work with a domestic violence lawyer in Los Angeles at our firm, you have:
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It is critical to understand that domestic violence is considered any type of violent interaction between two people who reside together, those involved in sexual relations, or those who have previously been involved intimately. There are various types of charges that could be considered domestic violence-related in the Los Angeles area. This can include, but is not limited to, the following:
We do need to point out that, contrary to popular belief, there is no actual “domestic violence” charge in the state of California. However, there are various crimes that the state of California considers to be “domestic violence-related.”
In this state, most of the domestic violence-related charges will be considered misdemeanor offenses, but there are some that will be considered felonies. However, we do need to point out that a good deal of domestic violence-related charges is considered “wobbler” offenses that could be charged as either a misdemeanor or a felony. When deciding whether or not to charge a crime as a misdemeanor or felony, law enforcement officials and prosecutors will examine the circumstances surrounding the offense, the seriousness of any injuries involved, and the past criminal history of the alleged abuser.
Any person convicted of a domestic violence-related charge could face a range of consequences. This can include jail time for a misdemeanor offense or time in prison for a felony conviction. Additionally, a conviction could result in:
Individuals charged with and convicted of domestic violence will likely face significant harm to their reputations. Arrest and conviction records are public, and this could permanently impact a person’s ability to find employment, gain state licensure, find adequate housing, attend school, etc.
Domestic violence is a serious accusation. Once the police become involved, the case is out of your hands. It is not up to the alleged victim to decide whether to press charges and the prosecution likely will still pursue a case against you even if the victim does not want to.
For this reason, it is important that you consult a criminal defense attorney as soon as possible. Once the police have arrived on the scene, your rights and freedom are at risk. It is important to keep your mouth shut (except for providing your information) regarding the incident, as anything you say at that point could be used against you. Instead, ask to contact your lawyer. By having a defense lawyer represent you from the onset, your chances of not having charges filed or of an acquittal are much better.
If you are accused of domestic violence in Los Angeles or the South Bay, you may face felony or misdemeanor charges. Domestic violence includes spousal abuse, neglect, emotional abuse, physical abuse, and sexual abuse. The penalties for domestic violence may include fines, counseling, anger management, jail time, and a state prison sentence.
Our team is ready to handle matters concerning:
Additionally, a domestic violence charge can negatively affect a child custody dispute or divorce – not to mention the fact that you will have a criminal record if you are convicted of this crime. Have a specific domestic violence question? Visit our FAQ page
Our Los Angeles domestic violence attorney at our firm can aggressively and effectively defend your rights. By proving factual innocence, false or exaggerated accusations, or that your rights were violated, your attorney can secure an acquittal on your behalf or have valuable evidence suppressed that will favor your defense. Your attorney will conduct an independent investigation and interview witnesses in order to build your case.
At our firm, we help clients throughout Los Angeles and the South Bay area who are facing domestic violence charges. Contact Okabe & Haushalter today to discuss your case with our experienced lawyers!
