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Don’t let a fight ruin your life

by | Nov 7, 2017 | blog, Firm News

Couples fight. It happens, and many would even say it is normal in any relationship to have spat now and again. What is not normal, though, is physically harming your spouse or significant other. If you have been involved in a heated fight with your partner and now you are facing domestic violence charges due to an alleged act of violence, how you handle the matter from here on out will have a significant impact on your future.

In California, domestic violence is not taken lightly by law enforcement officials. When reports of such violence come in, police are generally quick to respond. Those accused of abuse, regardless of whether there is any truth to the accusations, often find themselves in police custody and facing criminal charges.

Why are police quick to act?

Lawmakers in California have constructed domestic violence laws in a way to prevent violence. They work to serve the victims but do little to protect those accused. If law enforcement officers respond and any evidence of domestic violence is present, this could mean that you end up facing charges that may be unjustified.

Domestic violence charges and penalties

If charged with committing acts of domestic violence, you are likely to also face a battery charge. It all depends on the details of the event in question.

The penalties associated with domestic violence and battery charges can be fairly significant. They include jail time of up to four years and fines of up to $6,000. It is also possible for prosecuting attorneys can seek increased penalties if they feel it necessary.

Defenses

There are not a whole lot of defense options when it comes to fighting domestic violence charge. The most commonly used are:

  • Denial
  • Self-defense

With the assistance of legal counsel, you can make an informed decision regarding the best way to handle your case, whether that is using one of these defense option or choosing to enter a guilty plea.

Don’t go it alone

There is nothing easy about fighting accusations of domestic violence. A domestic violence charge may ruin your personal life and tarnish your professional reputation. All this may be over a fight that your significant other claims got out of hand. Do not let a fight ruin your life. While the road will not be a simple one, it is possible to take the legal steps necessary to protect yourself and fight to achieve the best outcome possible under the circumstance.