Los Angeles Domestic Violence and Abuse Defense Lawyer

About Domestic Violence Charges

A domestic violence or abuse accusation can have a number of consequences for a person. In addition to criminal penalties the individual may face (jail, fine, probation, etc.), he/she may also face a damaged reputation, may have a restraining order or order of protection filed against him/her, and may have custody and visitation rights revoked.

A Los Angeles domestic violence and abuse defense lawyer at Okabe & Haushalter can help if you are facing domestic abuse accusations or charges.  At our firm, our defense lawyers have a good deal of experience in both state and federal courts in California and are familiar with defending domestic violence cases in particular. This experience gives our lawyers the opportunity to defend cases even when they are complex and all the evidence seems stacked against our client. Our domestic violence defense attorneys can review police reports, interview witnesses, review evidence and conduct a thorough investigation which may uncover evidence that proves factual innocence, a constitutional rights violation or other factor which results in an acquittal or dismissal of charges.

Domestic Disputes in Los Angeles

Often, after an arrest has been made, the prosecutor will then decide whether to press charges – even if the victim does not want to do so. This usually means that if the police respond to a call involving a domestic dispute, an arrest will be made and charges will be filed, even if the situation the officers observed may not have actually been how it appeared.

Domestic violence is defined in California State Penal Code, Section 273(5). According to this, when a person willfully inflicts injury upon a spouse, ex-spouse, mother or father of a shared child, cohabitant, former cohabitant or family member, this constitutes domestic violence.

Penalties for Domestic Violence Convictions in Los Angeles

The penalties for a domestic violence conviction are often severe. By consulting a Los Angeles domestic violence and abuse defense attorney at our firm, however, you can give yourself the opportunity to avoid these penalties. When you consult an attorney at Okabe & Haushalter, you will get an honest evaluation of your case – so you can make the right decisions about hiring an attorney and about what will be best for your future.

In California, domestic violence may be charged as a felony or a misdemeanor offense, depending upon the particular circumstances. When charged as a felony, the penalties may include up to 4 years in state prison, and/or a fine of up to $6,000. Additional penalties include probation, anger management classes, counseling, and more.

Contact a Los Angeles domestic violence and abuse lawyer at our firm and find out how you can challenge your charges to avoid these serious penalties.