Santa Rosa Domestic Violence Attorney

Defending Against Domestic Violence Charges in Sonoma County

When your spouse or partner accuses you of domestic violence, it can lead to very serious legal consequences. This is especially true if you have children together or if there are any claims of child abuse or child neglect. Individuals who are accused of domestic violence can not only suffer from a damaged reputation, but they can also lose their rights to see their children as well. In some extreme cases, if you are found guilty of domestic violence, you could end up in jail and be left with a permanent criminal record. This is why it is so important to have a trusted Santa Rosa domestic violence attorney on your side who is committed to defending your rights.

What is Considered Domestic Violence in California?

While it is illegal to commit assault, battery, or criminally threaten anyone, offenses of this nature are made even more serious if they are allegedly committed against someone with whom a person shares a romantic or familial relationship. As such, the state of California has implemented certain laws which punish these types of behaviors more harshly and afford special protections to domestic violence victims, such as emergency restraining orders.

Violentacts committed against any of the following parties can be considered domestic violence:

• Current or ex-spouse
• Cohabitant romantic partners
• Fiancé or former fiancé
• Parent with whom a person has a child

Types of Domestic Violence Charges

Examples of domestic violence charges we can defend against include:

• Stalking
• Threats
• Battery
• Assault
• Abuse
• Intimidation

Any domestic violence case involving children is taken especially seriously by the courts. Even if an actual act of physical violence did not occur, threats made with the intention of instilling fear can count as domestic violence as well. Whatever your charges, you need to start discussing your potential defenses right away. We can review your case and explain your rights and options to you. Moving forward, our priority will be to minimize the impact that this domestic violence charge has on your future.

What is the Penalty For Domestic Violence in California? 

Penalties for domestic violence will vary depending on the seriousness of injuries inflicted upon the alleged victim, if any, as well as the defendant’s criminal history. With that being said, most counties impose a minimum 30-day jail sentence even for misdemeanor domestic violence convictions, as well as participation in a mandatory 52-week domestic batterer’s class. Possibly the worst consequence of a domestic violence conviction is the fact that it will become part of a person’s criminal record and will be visible on any future background checks, limiting their opportunities for employment.

Possible Defenses to California Domestic Violence Charges

If you have been charged with any form of domestic violence, it is imperative you retain the services of a powerful Santa Rosa domestic violence attorney from our firm as soon as possible to guard your future and freedom. Upon a detailed examination of the facts surrounding your case, our advocates can craft a custom-tailored defense on your behalf and fight to minimize your chances of conviction.

We may be able to employ various strategies in your defense, including:

1. False allegations: It is not uncommon for accusations of domestic abuse to be completely unfounded and made out of spite. We can compare the alleged victim’s statements to police records and expose any inconsistencies that may exist.
2. Self-defense: Did your accuser act as the aggressor in the alleged incident? You may not be convicted of domestic violence if you were defending yourself and used only enough force to ward off the danger to your person.
3. No trauma: You may not be convicted if there were no injuries reported to the victim at the time of your arrest.
4. Insufficient evidence: Your strongest defense will likely be to point out weaknesses in your accuser’s testimony. You may not be convicted unless the prosecution is able to meet the mandatory burden of proof.

Contact Our Domestic Violence Lawyer in Santa Rosa Today

At the Law Offices of Evan E. Zelig, we have more than 10 years of legal experience defending clients against a wide array of criminal charges. Our lead attorney, Evan E. Zelig, has an in-depth understanding of the criminal justice system from both sides of a case. We know what it takes to successfully defend against charges like domestic violence, and we are prepared to exhaust all of our resources in order to get you the result you seek.

Contact the Law Offices of Evan E. Zelig, P.C., today to get started on your defense with our Santa Rosa domestic violence attorney.