Los Angeles Domestic Violence Lawyer

Legally Reviewed By

Justin E. Sterling

Criminal Defense Attorney

An award-winning trial lawyer specializing in criminal defense and civil rights, Mr. Sterling has dedicated his career to representing the accused as well as those who have been mistreated by law enforcement.

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Many of California’s domestic violence laws are outdated and unfair. However, no matter how unfair an arrest may seem, you have to take these charges extremely seriously. You may be charged with a felony, which can result in a prison sentence and could make it difficult to find a job and a place to live even after your sentence is served. A conviction could also affect important child custody matters and haunt you for years to come.

Thankfully, people charged with domestic abuse are innocent until proven guilty. At the Law Offices of Justin E. Sterling, we will fight fiercely for the charges against you to be reduced or dropped altogether. For two decades, we have been successfully representing people like you who are facing life-changing charges of domestic abuse.

After an arrest, contact our law firm as soon as possible for a free consultation with an experienced Los Angeles domestic violence attorney. We will review your case and explain all your options for achieving the best possible outcome for you.

What Is Considered Domestic Violence?

The California State Penal Code Section 13700(b) defines domestic violence as “abuse committed against an adult or a minor who is a spouse, former spouse, cohabitant, former cohabitant, or person with whom the suspect has had a child or is having or has had a dating or engagement relationship.”

Abuse occurs when a person intentionally or recklessly causes or attempts to cause bodily harm. It also includes the placing of another person in reasonable apprehension of imminent serious bodily harm to themselves or another person.

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(818) 995-9452

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“Battle-tested and respected, Justin has taken on police departments, government corruption, and California's prison system and WON.”
-Attorney at Law Magazine

Why Trust Your Case to the Law Offices of Justin E. Sterling?

Our Los Angeles criminal defense law firm provides outstanding legal representation and personalized service.

Clients across Los Angeles trust the Law Offices of Justin E. Sterling to handle their domestic abuse cases because we have:

More than two decades of experience handling complex criminal trials, with over 100 cases tried to verdict
A dedicated team of private investigators with law enforcement backgrounds
Outstanding working relationships with prosecutors, district attorneys, and courts throughout Los Angeles
Unique insights into the local criminal justice system based on years of experience as a Los Angeles Public Defender
A limited caseload that allows for personalized representation

Don’t wait to get the trusted legal advice you need. Contact us today for a free case review with Los Angeles Domestic Violence Lawyer Justin E. Sterling.

What Happens When You Get a Domestic Violence Charge?

Many people who are accused of domestic violence have never been arrested before and don’t know what to expect. When you trust your case to our Los Angeles domestic violence lawyer, we will walk you through the process and identify all opportunities to fight the charges against you. Here’s what to expect overall:

Arraignment

After your arrest, the first stage of the criminal process is called arraignment. This is your first court appearance. At the arraignment, you will be informed of your rights and the charges against you. You will also be given the chance to enter a plea – not guilty, guilty, or nolo contendere (“no contest”). The court will also set the terms of your bail. It is crucial to have a domestic battery attorney on your side during this initial appearance.

Pre-trial phase

The pre-trial phase follows the arraignment. This is when most of the discovery will take place, where each side gets to review the other’s evidence. It is also when the parties will file motions and waivers, such as motions to suppress evidence. The court will ask the prosecution to demonstrate probable cause here. In other words, the prosecution must provide evidence that:

There is probable cause that the crime was committed.
There is probable cause that the accused committed the crime.

During this pre-trial phase, your criminal defense attorney may make a case for the charges to be reduced or dropped. Or your attorney may help you negotiate a plea deal that minimizes the penalties you face.

Trial

If your case heads to trial, you will have the opportunity to present your case in court. There are two kinds of trials — jury trials and bench trials. At a jury trial, you are judged by a collection of your peers – “the jury.” At a bench trial, there is not jury and your fate rests with the judge. Your attorney will review with you the risks of going to trial and the reasons for it.

Sentencing

The court will decide on your punishment at sentencing if you are found guilty. Your Los Angeles Domestic Violence Lawyer will argue for leniency, pushing for a minimum sentence so you can move forward with your life as soon as possible.

Call us today for help

(818) 995-9452

Get A Free Case Review

Common Charges Related to Domestic Violence

When a person is charged with domestic violence, they often also face charges for residual crimes, including:

Child abuse and endangerment – Penal Code Section 273(a)
Restraining order violations – Penal Code Section 273.6
Protective order violations – Penal Code Section 273.6
Battery – Penal Code Section 242
Assault – Penal Code Section 240
Stalking – Penal Code Section 646.9(a)
Aggravated trespass – Penal Code Section 601
Criminal threats – Penal Code Section 422
Damage to a telephone or cable line – Penal Code Section 591
Dissuading a witness from reporting a crime – Penal Code Section 136.1

Our Clients Say It Best

Mr. Sterling is a compassionate attorney and person. He goes the extra mile for his clients. He has done so for me on more than one occasion.

- P.S., Former Client

Justin is an aggressive lawyer who is committed to his clients. I knew Justin when he was coming up in the Public Defender’s Office and have witnessed him cross-examine police officers as well as give a closing argument. He is excellent. Justin is at the top of his game and it has been a pleasure to watch him establish himself as a dedicated and effective lawyer with a solid reputation within the Los Angeles legal community.

- I.W., Attorney at Law

Justin has unwavering commitment in what he does.

- R.E., Attorney at Law

When Justin wins he WINS BIG. It is this truth that enables him to achieve impossible results quickly and quietly for his clients.

- H.L., Superior Court Judge (Retired)

Justin is an excellent trial lawyer who cares deeply for his clients.

- Superior Court Commissioner

It’s no coincidence that year in and year out Mr. Sterling is recognized by his clients, peers, and third party rankings as one of the best in his field.

- J.P., Attorney at Law

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Our Criminal Defense Case Results

At the Law Offices of Justin E. Sterling, we know results matter. It’s your life and your future on the line. We have successfully defended individuals facing serious criminal charges, secured dismissals, not-guilty verdicts, and achieved life-changing outcomes in both state and federal courts. While every case is unique, these examples reflect our experience and commitment to justice.

Domestic Violence & Assault Cases

Felony Domestic Violence with Firearm

NOT GUILTY

Jury acquitted client of all charges after a week-long trial. Client avoided 9 years in state prison.

Felony Elder Abuse

DISMISSED

Charges dismissed at the preliminary hearing stage. Client faced up to 18 years in prison.

Domestic Violence with Great Bodily Injury

ALL CHARGES DROPPED

Early intervention led to the dismissal of charges against both spouses prior to arraignment.

Common Defenses to Domestic Violence Charges

An arrest in an alleged domestic abuse situation can be both unexpected and frustrating. You may feel like the whole incident was a misunderstanding or was just blown out of proportion. Fortunately, there are many potential defenses in cases like these.

Some of the common defenses include:

The alleged victim is lying: In many cases, the alleged victim is found to have made false statements about what happened.
The incident was an accident: The victim may have suffered the injuries in an accident, instead of due to intentional or willful conduct on the part of the defendant.
The defendant was acting in self-defense: If the alleged victim was attacking the defendant, the defendant may have responded with physical force out of fear for their life.
The police made errors: An experienced Los Angeles domestic violence attorney will thoroughly go through the details of the arrest and any related police investigations. If the police committed an error at any point in the process, evidence could be thrown out or the case may be dismissed entirely.
Domestic violence cannot be proven beyond reasonable doubt: Reasonable doubt is an incredibly difficult standard to meet. Domestic violence cases can often be reduced to he said, she said situations. If the defense can impeach the testimony of a key witness, such as the accuser, the prosecution may not clear the reasonable doubt bar.

Remember, in any criminal case, an arrest is just the start. Talk to a domestic violence defense lawyer in Los Angeles about all the potential ways you can fight the charges against you.

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Can Domestic Violence Charges Be Dropped?

In domestic violence cases, people often assume that the alleged victim has the power to “press charges.” However, it is not up to the victim whether the case proceeds or not.

The prosecutor is the one who decides whether there is enough evidence to bring a case. That being said, a skilled Los Angeles domestic violence lawyer can identify all possible weaknesses in the prosecution’s case and argue for the charges to be dropped or reduced, depending on the circumstances.

Domestic Violence Defenses

How Much Jail Time for a Domestic Violence Conviction?

In California, there are two kinds of domestic violence charges: spousal battery under Penal Code Section 243(e)(1) and corporal injury to a spouse or co-inhabitant under Section 273.5. The penalties differ depending on the section the offense is charged under.

Domestic battery

Instances of spousal battery are charged as misdemeanors. Penal Code 243(e)(1) defines spousal battery as a willful or unlawful touching of an intimate partner inflicting force or violence. Note, it is not necessary for the victim to suffer actual bodily injury or harm.

An intimate partner is considered:

A current or former spouse
A current or former co-inhabitant
A current or former fiancé
A person with whom the defendant had or has a dating or engagement relationship
The mother or father of the defendant’s child

Penalties include a maximum fine of $2,000, a maximum jail sentence of 1 year, or both.

Domestic Violence Misdemeanor

Corporal injury to a spouse or co-inhabitant

Corporal injury to a spouse or co-inhabitant is known as a “wobbler” offense and can be charged as either a misdemeanor or a felony, depending on the circumstances. Penal Code Section 273.5 describes the offense as the infliction of physical injury on an intimate partner causing a traumatic condition. Unlike with domestic battery, the victim must suffer physical injuries, such as bruises, cuts, fractures, etc.

Under this section, intimate partner is defined much more narrowly, including only:

Past or present spouses
Past or present co-inhabitants
The mother or father of the defendant’s child

The offender will be charged with a felony if the victim’s injuries are serious or if the defendant has a prior criminal record.

The penalties for a felony conviction include a maximum prison sentence of 4 years and a maximum fine of $6,000. A misdemeanor conviction can result in the same maximum fine amount and a stint up to 1 year in a Los Angeles County jail.

Domestic Violence Wobbler

How Our Los Angeles Domestic Violence Defense Attorney Can Help

Domestic abuse cases are complicated, involving intense emotions and the intricacies of relationships. Unfortunately, domestic violence laws are often outdated and lack the nuance needed to regulate such complex behavior. Furthermore, domestic violence charges are often brought on shaky evidence and can even be brought against the will of the alleged victim.

Experienced domestic violence attorney Justin E. Sterling can analyze the facts and identify flaws in the prosecution’s case. We can launch an investigation to uncover important facts and evidence that may result in the case being dropped or the charges reduced.

Don’t wait to get the legal advice you need during this stressful time. The Law Offices of Justin E. Sterling serve clients in Beverly Hills, Brentwood, Burbank, Century City, Los Angeles Airport, Marina Del Rey, Pasadena, Sherman Oaks, Torrance, Valencia, and Woodlands Hills. If you are dealing with domestic violence charges, don’t hesitate to contact us for a free case review.

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Domestic Violence Defense Lawyer in Los Angeles