Santa Fe Springs Domestic Violence Lawyers Defending Clients from Serious Charges
Sometimes relationships with significant others and family members devolve to the point of serious arguments and even violent situations. This can lead to one party calling the police and having someone arrested for domestic violence. If you have been charged with this crime, it is essential that you hire an experienced lawyer to defend you. Otherwise, you could be facing jail time, fines, and even lifelong consequences.
While you may be going through a difficult time right now as you grapple with domestic violence charges, you are not alone. You can get help from the compassionate, capable defense attorneys at Confianza Legal. Our legal team has handled numerous complex cases involving serious charges, so you can trust us to take on your case, whether it ends up going to trial or gets resolved before then. Come to our office for a free consultation to find out how we can defend you from domestic violence charges.
What Qualifies As Domestic Violence in California?
First, it’s important to know what your charges mean, as it’s not always clear what actions constitute domestic violence and who may be considered a victim. In California, domestic violence is usually abuse against someone who knows the accused intimately, whether they’re related, living together, or together romantically. This means the victims of domestic violence may be one of the following:
● A current spouse or significant other
● A former spouse or significant other
● Your child
● The other parent of your child
● Brothers or sisters, including step and half-siblings
● Parents
● Grandparents
● Grandchildren
● Aunts and uncles
● Nieces and nephews
● Current or former roommates
In general, the person who accuses you of domestic violence in California must know you quite well, whether due to dating you, being married to you, is related to you, or living with you. Regardless of which type of relationship you have with the person who has accused you, he or she has to have proof of abuse.
In most cases, this abuse is physical. It could include hitting, pushing, kicking, or pulling hair. Physical abuse can also mean throwing things at someone, following them, or blocking their path so they cannot leave.
However, abuse in California domestic violence cases is not just physical. It can also be verbal, sexual, or emotional. Even threats to hurt someone can count as abuse in domestic violence situations.
As you might imagine, if someone is able to prove that you abused them in any way, you could be facing serious criminal penalties. This is why you should hire a criminal defense lawyer who has the skills to carefully look at the facts and create an effective plan to defend you against domestic violence charges. Come to Confianza Legal for a consultation to learn how we can help.
What Are the Possible Consequences of Domestic Violence Charges?
If you are facing domestic violence charges in California, there is a chance you will be dealing with serious legal consequences. This is especially the case if you are being charged with a felony rather than a misdemeanor. In most cases, if there is solid evidence that you seriously injured someone you are close to, you will likely be charged with a felony.
However, if you have been accused of threatening, verbally abusing, or neglecting someone in your family, there is a chance it will be considered a misdemeanor crime. This usually depends on several details, including how serious any injuries were, what your criminal record looks like, and what the evidence is.
Depending on your actual charges, you could be facing the following consequences if you are convicted of domestic violence in California:
● Time in jail or prison
● A restraining order
● Fines
● Required behavioral counseling
● Loss of gun rights
● Loss of custody of children
● Possible deportation if you are an immigrant
In general, you have a lot to lose if you are convicted of domestic violence charges. At a minimum, you may end up getting probation instead of time in prison, but you will likely still face fines, counseling, and other penalties. In fact, there is usually a minimum amount of jail time, even if your case is a misdemeanor. In addition, if your accuser has medical bills or property damage due to the incident, you will likely have to pay those bills.
This is why hiring a lawyer is so important. At Confianza Legal, we are on your side from the beginning to the end. We will fight for your rights after you’ve been accused of domestic violence, so contact us today for a consultation.
What Kind of Defense Can a Domestic Violence Lawyer Use for Cases Like This?
You may be feeling discouraged after being accused of a serious crime, but do not lose hope. If you live in the Santa Fe Springs area, you have access to a legal team that is here to help, starting with the legal defense option that works best for your case.
Depending on the facts of your case, your lawyer might try to prove the following:
● You acted in self-defense
● The accusations are false
● You injured the victim on accident
● The incident should be treated as a misdemeanor, not a felony
When you come in for a free consultation, we will go over all the details of the domestic violence charges and decide which legal defense makes the most sense. Contact us today to get started.
Why Is Hiring a Domestic Violence Attorney So Critical?
As you likely know, domestic violence charges can result in serious legal penalties. If you want the chance to avoid time in prison, big fines, loss of child custody, and more, hiring domestic violence lawyers will help.
At Confianza Legal, we will look at all the details of your case and decide what kind of defense to pursue. If you are ready to find out how our caring, skilled lawyers can assist with your case, contact our Santa Fe Springs, CA law office at (562) 462-9233 for a free consultation.