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California Domestic Violence Law Firm
You still have legal rights.
Protect your freedom.
If you are charged with domestic violence in California under Penal Code 273.5, a conviction can cost you your freedom and future prospects. Domestic violence matters typically involve sensitive issues that seemingly favor the accuser while assuming that the defendant is guilty unless proven otherwise.
Even though it may seem like the phrase “innocent until proven guilty” doesn’t apply to domestic violence charges, you still have legal rights. And you are innocent until a judge or jury of your peers decides otherwise.
Your case does not have to take this route. Hiring a domestic violence lawyer at Amicus Legal Group will provide you with a defensive foothold to challenge the prosecutor’s case against you.
Domestic Violence Laws
The ultimate goal of domestic violence laws is to prevent violent acts between and among family members. Numerous parts of the Penal Code could apply to your case, but it depends upon the circumstances of alleged offense. Here are two primary themes or laws that you should know:
You can be charged for domestic violence if you commit a forceful or violent act against a partner.
Under this statute (Penal Code 243(e)(1) or misdemeanor Penal Code 273.5), visible injuries do not need to be apparent to receive charges. Convictions may result in up to one year in jail and a $2,000 fine.
Inflicting visible injuries can lead to a felony charge.
If you allegedly inflict visible injures against a family member, prosecutors can charge it as a felony under California domestic violence laws. Penalties for “corporal punishment” include up to four years in state prison.
Fight for your freedom
Even for a misdemeanor conviction, you can face up to one year in county jail. You can also receive other penalties that include steep fines and a criminal conviction that follows you around for the duration of your life. You do not have to lay down. Fight for your freedom.
Fight for your freedom
Even for a misdemeanor conviction, you can face up to one year in county jail. You can also receive other penalties that include steep fines and a criminal conviction that follows you around for the duration of your life. You do not have to lay down. Fight for your freedom.
Consequences of a Conviction
Larger numbers of cases are being prosecuted due to pressure from advocacy groups and the revenue that convictions generate.
Consider how a domestic violence conviction could impact your life:
While most of the consequences of a conviction are well known (court fines, probation, jail time), other considerations include:
Could it affect your job or future employment opportunities?
How will family and friends react?
What might happen in family court proceedings?
Could you handle a 10-year (or lifetime) firearm prohibition?
What to Do Now
Fear tends to make people act in haste. There are a few elements that you should understand when facing charges to avoid making things worse for your case.
Domestic violence cases are complicated and filled with intense emotions. If you or your loved one are accused of domestic violence, get the help you want by hiring a reliable criminal defense lawyer who has a reputation for positive results.
Working with a defense attorney
Make sure that you do the following:
Avoid all contact with your accuser.
If he or she needs to speak with you, refer all communications to your lawyer. At Amicus Legal Group, we act as a “communications buffer” between our clients and the accuser to avoid additional issues, such as violating criminal protective orders put in place by the court.
Preserve evidence that proves you are innocent
While your lawyer will conduct an investigation to determine what the prosecutors can prove, preserve any evidence that exonerates you, if available.
Hire a domestic violence lawyer
You should not have to face criminal charges alone. A criminal attorney will assert your rights while explaining your legal options throughout the entire process. He or she will also develop a case strategy that works to get your charges dropped or reduced as applicable.
How Amicus Legal Group can help you
At Amicus Legal Group, we always empathize with the position of our clients. You are innocent until proven otherwise and our team will act as if we were standing in your shoes. No matter the facts of your case are, our domestic violence lawyers will protect your rights and fight fiercely on your behalf.
In addition to tough legal representation, we will:
Conduct a thorough investigation of the charges
Investigate all claims thoroughly
Explain your rights, risks, and opportunities under the law
Devise a customized and strategic defense
Get Help for Domestic Violence Charge Now
While every case is unique, we will help evaluate the evidence against you. In some matters, the accusations are completely baseless while others are stronger. Either way, a domestic violence lawyer at Amicus Legal Group will fight the charges to obtain the best possible result.
Contact us if you want a law firm that hits back hard at false charges. If you have been charged with any type of domestic violence, Amicus Legal Group is ready to help you get past this challenging time.
For your completely free and confident consultation, contact us today at (888) 588-1777. You can also submit a callback request here.
Client Testimonials
Lawrence Brock
Mr. Serrao worked on my DUI charge earlier this year and all I can say is WOW! Not only did he keep me updated with the case but his knowledge of the process helped calm my nerves, which was very important to me. He showed care for me as a client and I can’t thank him enough. I would recommend him to anyone in need of a quality criminal defense attorney.
Derrick J.
Attorney John Paul-Serrao helped us to win our case against the insurance company after we were involved in a traffic accident where our car was rear ended, we tried to handle it ourselves with the insurance company and they did not want to cooperate with us, so we hired Mr. Serrao and he was able to get us a settlement above with the insurance company was willing to pay. I would highly recommend him.
Lupe G.
John-Paul is a superb attorney. He was my mentor when I was in law school, and now as an attorney I still go to him for advice on complex cases. When my brother required representation I referred him to John-Paul. That is how highly I think of JP as an attorney. I would highly recommend him to anyone who needs representation.
Kit Westbrook
John-Paul took my civil case when no one else would because other lawyers didn’t have confidence in my daughter who has special needs to testify, if needed. John-Paul won her case against the school district without a jury because he cared about my child, believed she was honest and deserved justice. He still doesn’t mind taking my calls whenever I have a question regarding her case.
Dionne L.
Occasionally you meet another attorney who is so impressive both personally and professionally that you want to be affiliated with them in any way you can both personally and professionally. That is how I feel about John-Paul. I not only consider him one of the finest attorneys I know, but I now proudly call him my friend. He is among the very best.
David Booth
John-Paul is an extremely effective criminal defense attorney. The one thing that makes him stand out from other defense attorneys is that he talks to his clients to learn the circumstances surrounding their incident and then he makes a forceful and articulate argument in defense of his clients. I recommend my clients to John-Paul when they are in need of a criminal defense attorney because I know he will stand up for them.
Stephen Rinka
I had the pleasure of working a very large scale drug case with Mr. Serrao, representing co-defendants. Mr. Serrao was a pleasure to work with. Highly skilled and very aggressive in his advocacy on his client’s behalf. I highly recommend Mr. Serrao for anyone looking for a criminal defense attorney.
Babak Farahan
