Domestic Violence

The Law Offices of Sandra Nassar, A Professional Corporation handles all types of domestic violence cases and crimes. If you are charged with a domestic violence crime or a domestic violence restraining order is filed against you in Orange County, Los Angeles, or the surrounding counties, then you need the assistance of an experienced criminal defense lawyer. Call the Law Offices of Sandra Nassar, A Professional Corporation to speak with a criminal defense attorney that can answer your questions.

Domestic Violence Criminal Charges

In California, the Penal Code defines domestic violence as abuse that happens between people that are in a current or former romantic relationship.

There are two specific domestic violence charges: domestic battery under California Penal Code section 243(e)(1) and domestic battery with corporal injury under California Penal Code section 273.5.

Domestic battery under California Penal Code section 243(e)(1) is a misdemeanor punishable by up to one year in jail. This charge does not require any injuries to be inflicted upon the victim.

Examples of domestic battery under PC 243(e)(1):

• A husband gets upset and pushes his wife
• A girlfriend gets upset and slaps her boyfriend.

Domestic battery with corporal injury under California Penal Code section 273.5 can be charged as a misdemeanor punishable by up to one year in jail or a felony punishable by up to four years in prison. This charge does require actual injuries inflicted upon the victim.

Examples of domestic battery with corporal injury under PC 273.5:

• A husband gets upset and punches his wife and she gets a black eye
• A girlfriend gets upset and hits her boyfriend with her shoe leaving marks on his body.

In addition, a prosecutor can allege domestic violence on top of any criminal charge. If an act of violence or threat of violence is committed between two people that are in a romantic relationship it will usually be designated a domestic violence case, even if another criminal charge is filed.

If a case is designated as domestic violence, then a Court must consider whether certain additional terms should be imposed throughout the criminal case and at sentencing such as criminal protective orders and batterers treatment programs.

As detailed above, domestic violence criminal cases can be complicated so they require an experienced criminal defense attorney. If you have questions or need the assistance of a domestic violence lawyer, contact an Orange County criminal defense lawyer at the Law Offices of Sandra Nassar.

Domestic Violence Restraining Order

To make matters more complicated, an alleged victim of domestic violence can request a family law court to issue a restraining order against their alleged abuser. Such orders can require the alleged abuser to stay away from the alleged victim, move out of the family home, and even order temporary support. The alleged victim can get a temporary restraining fairly quickly with little to no notice to the defendant. The defendant must act fast to contest the charges or the temporary order can become permanent.

If a domestic violence restraining order has been filed against you, then you should contact an Orange County criminal defense lawyer that knows how to defend you against the allegations.

If you have questions or need an attorney to defend you against domestic violence allegations in Orange County, Los Angeles County, Riverside County, San Diego County, or San Bernardino County then you need a lawyer with experience to defend you. The Law Offices of Sandra Nassar, A Professional Corporation has extensive experience handling domestic violence cases. Get an experienced Orange County criminal defense attorney on your side. Make the call now. Call 1-800-260-2026 to get the help you need.