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An arrest or charge of domestic violence is serious and can have devastating consequences on your future. If you’re convicted, you could face significant fines, jail or a lengthy prison sentence, the potential loss of custody of your kids, and a loss of reputation in the community. You need a domestic violence lawyer in Glendale, CA, who can protect your rights and fight for you the positive outcome you deserve.
Don’t leave your fate in the hands of an overworked public defender. Call the Law Offices of Justin E. Sterling today for a confidential, free consultation with a hardworking defense attorney who puts his clients first. You can tell us your story, and we’ll talk about how we can defend you.
Understanding Domestic Violence Charges in California
Domestic violence charges can be filed against an alleged perpetrator in Glendale if they commit violent or threatening actions against any of the following:
- Spouse or ex-spouse
- A current or former cohabitant
- Someone with whom they have a child
- A current or former fiancé/fiancée
- Someone they currently or used to date
Acts that may qualify as domestic violence include physical assaults, stalking, posting “revenge porn” online, or engaging in cyber harassment, depending on the circumstances.
California courts harshly penalize domestic violence offenses. All cases are held in Superior Court, and many prosecuting offices have specifically designated domestic violence units to oversee domestic violence cases.
Types of Domestic Violence Cases We Defend
The most common kinds of domestic violence charges in California are domestic battery and corporal injury to a spouse or cohabitant.
Domestic battery is the willful or unlawful touching of an intimate partner that inflicts force or violence, even if there is no injury. Intimate partners are current or former spouses of the defendant, their fiancé/fiancée, or their co-inhabitants, or someone the defendant has been or is dating, or the parent of their child.
Corporal injury to a spouse or co-inhabitant is the infliction of injury upon an intimate partner that results in trauma. Under this statute, the victim must suffer physical injury, such as bruises, cuts, or scrapes. The statute protects the same categories of intimate partners, including spouses, cohabitants, dating partners, fiancés, and co-parents
Other offenses can be prosecuted as domestic violence crimes, such as:
- Criminal threats
- Stalking
- False imprisonment
- Violating a domestic violence restraining order
- Child endangerment (in some circumstances)
At the Law Offices of Justin E. Sterling, we handle all types of domestic violence cases and related charges.
Penalties and Consequences of a Domestic Violence Conviction
Domestic battery is a misdemeanor offense. Convictions can result in punishments including a maximum fine of $2,000, a maximum of one year in jail, or both.
Corporal injury to a spouse or co-inhabitant is a “wobbler” offense. That means it can be either a misdemeanor or a felony, depending on the circumstances of the case. The case will be charged as a felony if the injuries from physical abuse caused serious harm or if the defendant already has a criminal record. The penalties for a felony include fines of up to $6,000, up to four years in prison, or both. A misdemeanor can result in the same financial penalty, up to one year in jail, or both.
What to Do After a Domestic Violence Arrest in Glendale
If you’ve been arrested for domestic violence, you have rights. Take advantage of them.
- First, don’t argue or resist. Stay calm and polite, and don’t try to explain your side of the story.
- Take advantage of your Sixth Amendment right to legal counsel and advise the arresting officers that you want a criminal defense attorney.
- Use your Fifth Amendment right against self-incrimination and stop answering questions.
- Then get a lawyer as soon as possible. Don’t discuss your case with anyone but your lawyer.
Why You Need a Glendale Domestic Violence Lawyer
An experienced Glendale domestic violence defense lawyer handles these types of cases every day. They will be familiar with local prosecutors, court officers, and police officers. They can leverage this insider knowledge to build the strongest possible case and advocate for the best possible outcome for you.
When you work with an attorney, you don’t have to figure out the next steps yourself. Your lawyer will keep you informed at every stage of the legal process and advise you of what to do – and what not to do. They will know what types of evidence the prosecution will need to prove their case, and they’ll know the defenses that can be used to build the strongest case in your defense.
You should never try to handle your case yourself, particularly not when the consequences can be severe. A domestic violence defense lawyer can handle your case without having an emotional response to evidence the prosecutor may introduce, which you might struggle with in court. They can craft a strategic defense aimed at achieving the most favorable result possible under the circumstances.
Why Choose the Law Offices of Justin E. Sterling?
When you need a domestic violence lawyer in Glendale, call Law Offices of Justin E. Sterling. Firm founder Justin Sterling has more than 20 years of criminal trial experience and is a former Los Angeles Public Defender. That insight helps him to build cases that benefit his clients.
Our law firm deliberately limits its caseload so that we can focus on delivering thorough service for our clients. We also have an in-house team of investigators and trusted experts who can analyze your case to find all the details that can most help your defense.
For example, one of our clients was charged with felony domestic violence/assault with a deadly weapon. After intensive pre-trial negotiations, the prosecution offered a non-jail plea bargain. However, our investigation revealed serious credibility issues and a motive for the complaining witness to lie, so we went to trial. The jury returned not-guilty verdicts on all counts.
Here’s what one of our clients said after working with us:
“Justin is an incredibly compassionate person and a talented and dedicated defense attorney. He goes above and beyond the call of duty for his clients. Cannot recommend him highly enough. Thank you for all that you do, Justin.” – Jessica Malzman
Call Law Offices of Justin E. Sterling Today
Need a Glendale criminal defense attorney? Call the Law Offices of Justin E. Sterling today. Our firm has a reputation for being aggressive and hard-hitting. Prosecutors know that if we’re representing you, they must take your case seriously.
Whether you’ve been arrested or charged, call us for help now. Your initial case review is free and fully confidential.
