Dublin

Domestic Violence Lawyer

While conflict in intimate relationships might leave a significant emotional impact, it may also bear legal consequences such as jail time, a restraining order, fines, and a potential criminal record. When facing charges and the potential consequences, it might be difficult to know what course of action to take when facing these charges and potential consequences. If you were charged with domestic violence, consider contacting a Dublin domestic violence lawyer.

While you might feel pressured to act quickly, it might prove beneficial to have seasoned legal counsel on your side throughout the legal process. A skilled defense attorney in Dublin could advise you of your rights, discuss potential defenses strategies based on your unique situation, and help you decide how to best proceed. En Español

What are the Domestic Violence Laws in Dublin?

Domestic violence is defined in California Penal Code §13700 and prohibits abuse of intimate partners, family members, and any person cohabitating. Cohabitants include people who live together, are or were romantic partners, or those who have co-mingled funds. Legally, abuse includes injuring someone or attempting to injure someone.

This means that numerous actions could lead to domestic violence charges. Though many acts of physical violence might result in criminal charges, actual contact does not have to occur to bring accusations of domestic abuse. Other specific actions that could be considered domestic violence include the following:

• Threats to harm someone
• Stalking
• Trespassing
• Domestic battery
• Revenge porn
• Endangerment of a child

For individuals without explicit knowledge of California law, it might be difficult to understand how domestic violence charges might arise. Due to this, a person facing allegations might want to consult a Dublin domestic violence attorney to understand the allegations they face and determine how to defend against them.

Potential Consequences of These Allegations

Domestic violence is broken into felony and misdemeanor offenses in California. A domestic violence attorney could help determine how a defendant’s charges may be pursued, as courts in Dublin often rely on the specific circumstances of a case when determining its classification.

What are the Penalties for a Felony Offense?

However, there are some patterns in charging that may indicate what the classification of a specific charge may be. For example, if domestic violence charges include a serious physical injury, an individual may face a felony offense. A felony-level charge for domestic violence could result in a prison sentence of up to four years in state prison, as outlined in CA Penal Code §273.5.

Misdemeanor Domestic Violence Charges

If a charge does not involve physical injury, on the other hand, the court may pursue the charge as a misdemeanor domestic battery, defined under CA Penal Code §243(e)(1). These misdemeanors are generally punishable by no more than $2,000 in fines, as well as up to one year in jail. An accomplished lawyer could help one fight against domestic violence allegations to avoid these serious penalties.

Reach Out to a Dublin Domestic Violence Attorney for Guidance

Facing criminal charges of any kind might be a stressful and overwhelming experience, especially if you are underrepresented. If you are worried that you may soon face accusations of domestic violence or are currently facing charges, it might be beneficial to consult with a Dublin domestic violence lawyer to discuss the legal options available to you.

A persistent defense attorney could guide you through each step of the legal process and help you work on your defense. To schedule a consultation and discuss your case, call an experienced legal professional today.