People often think that domestic violence is when a husband or wife physically assaults their spouse. However, California law defines domestic violence as abuse committed against an intimate partner. A Person commits “abuse” when he or she intentionally or recklessly uses, or threatens the use of, physical force against an intimate partner. That definition means that you don’t have to be married, just have an intimate relationship. It is important to take this charge seriously since the prosecutor absolutely will.

Domestic Violence Consequences in California

It is the job of the Orange County domestic violence attorney to know what the consequences of such a charge could be for the accused if found guilty. Those consequences include mandatory minimum jail time, mandatory participation in an intervention program, payment of fines, a restraining order, loss of custody rights, loss of California gun rights, and a criminal record. There can also be immigration consequences if the accused is an immigrant and found to be guilty of domestic violence. These consequences can be used by the judge if the accused is found to be guilty and sentenced to “Summary” (misdemeanor) probation or “Formal” (felony) probation.

Orange County Domestic Violence Attorney

The accused must find an attorney to defend them during this difficult time. There are two very common reasons accused find themselves in this situation. The first reason is clear and blatant false accusations. Unfortunately, some men and women use domestic violence as a weapon against someone who they feel wronged them in some way. Another reason could be that the physical action was a result of self defense and the accused found themselves on the wrong side of the situation. It is important that the accused find the best Orange County domestic violence attorney they trust. This situation is not an easy one, for anyone and must be handled with care.

Time is of the Essence

Attorneys at Johnson Criminal Law Group have formed relationships with prosecutors all around Orange County and surrounding areas. Those relationships could come in handy when dealing with your case. Domestic Violence cases are taken seriously by the prosecutors but that doesn’t mean negotiations are closed from the moment you are accused. Criminal defense lawyers in Orange County can attempt to persuade prosecutors, negotiate a plea bargain, and even attempt to avoid criminal charges altogether. Of course, there is no such thing as a guarantee in law. However, a good attorney will do everything in their power to defend you and get you the best results possible.