California Domestic Violence Law Blog
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Misunderstandings sometimes lead to domestic violence charges
Often, only the defendant and alleged victim know the truth of what happened leading up to an arrest on domestic violence charges. By the time the police arrive, any potentially criminal activity is often over. And there may be no witnesses besides the alleged victim and accused person.
As a result, misunderstandings are not uncommon.…
Can domestic violence charges be dropped in California?
Getting charged with domestic violence can be frightening. Being accused of assaulting your spouse, partner, child or other family member in your home can feel like your world is falling apart. Along with potentially getting thrown out of your home and prohibited from seeing your children, you could be facing serious jail time and a…
How common are domestic violence charges in the military?
Domestic violence is just as much of a problem in U.S. military families as it is for the civilian population. With tens of thousands of victims, many observers say the military is not doing enough to prevent abuse and prosecute offenders.
Since 2018, domestic violence has been a distinct crime in the Uniform Code of…
How a domestic violence arrest can affect your career
In San Diego, everyone charged with a crime is presumed innocent until proven guilty. But this applies only to the court of law. The court of public opinion is a different matter.
Just getting arrested, especially on a sensitive charge like domestic violence, can profoundly impact your life before you have had your day…
What proof is needed for a restraining order in San Diego?
Having a restraining order imposed on you is not the same thing as being sent to jail, but it still has a huge impact on your freedom. Depending on the terms of the order, you could be prohibited from being near your spouse, partner and/or children. You could even be forced to move out of…
Is emotional abuse a crime?
Though it gets less media attention than domestic violence and sexual abuse, emotional abuse is a significant problem in San Diego. You might wonder if an argument with your spouse or child could turn into an accusation of emotional abuse — and if that could mean getting arrested and charged with a crime.
False imprisonment or just trying to talk?
If you’ve been accused of domestic violence and related charges, the accuser may allege false imprisonment. There’s a very serious charge that means you held them somewhere against their will and restricted their ability to leave, despite having no authority to do so.
He said, she said
The problem with the situation like this is…
Defining criminal threats under domestic violence laws
If you asked most people to define domestic violence, they would likely describe a physical attack of some sort on a spouse or romantic partner. In California, however, the laws covering domestic violence go much further than that and include threats and intimidation, as well as destruction of property. But where is the line between…
Penalties for domestic violence offenses in California
If you face charges for domestic violence in California, you are most likely wondering what kind of punishment you could receive if convicted. Of course, you hope to see the charges dismissed or receive an acquittal at trial, but you should be aware of the possible penalties in case of a conviction.
Understanding California law…