Valley Center Domestic Violence Defense Attorneys

Criminal Defense Against Valley Center Domestic Violence Charges

Domestic disputes in Valley Center can lead to domestic violence charges. As defined in the California Penal Code, domestic violence is abuse committed against a spouse, former spouse, cohabitant, former cohabitant, or a person with whom you have had a child or are having or have had a dating or engagement relationship. In this context, abuse means “intentionally or recklessly causing or attempting to cause bodily injury or placing another person in reasonable apprehension of imminent serious bodily injury to himself or herself, or another.”

Domestic violence crimes can be misdemeanors, felonies, or wobblers -- meaning they can be charged as either, at the discretion of the prosecution. If you are facing domestic violence charges in Valley Center, contact an experienced Valley Center criminal defense attorney as soon as you can.

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What Are Some Common Domestic Violence Offenses and Their Penalties?

A number of crimes are considered domestic violence when committed against an “intimate partner,” as defined above. Common domestic violence offenses in Valley Center include the following:

• Domestic battery: Battery is a violent crime that involves intentional and unlawful contact on another person. When committed against an intimate partner, it is punishable by a county jail sentence of up to one year, or a fine of up to $2,000, or both.
• Corporal injury to a spouse or cohabitant: Willfully inflicting corporal injury resulting in a traumatic condition upon an intimate partner is a felony offense that carries a prison sentence of two, three, or four years; or a jail sentence of up to one year; or a fine of up to $6,000; or both fine and imprisonment. A traumatic condition is any type of physical injury, no matter how minor, resulting from direct application of physical force.
• Criminal threats: Threatening to commit a crime that will result in death or great bodily injury to another person, with the intent that it be taken as a threat, is a crime in itself if it causes the victim “reasonably to be in sustained fear for his or her own safety or for his or her immediate family’s safety.” Threats can be made verbally, in writing, or by means of electronic communication. Penalties for criminal threats may include up to one year in jail if it is charged as a misdemeanor, or up to four years in prison if it is charged as a felony.
• Stalking: Willfully and maliciously following, harassing, and threatening the safety of an intimate partner or his or her family members is the crime of stalking. Penalties for misdemeanor stalking include a county jail sentence of up to one year, or a fine of up to $1,000, or both. As a felony, stalking penalties may include a prison sentence of up to three years.
• Aggravated trespass: Making credible threats to cause serious bodily injury to another person, with the intent to place that person in reasonable fear for his or her own safety or the safety of family, and within 30 days, entering the residence or workplace of the victim to carry out the threat is aggravated trespass. Penalties may include up to a year in county jail, or up to three years in state prison, and/or a fine of up to $2,000.

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How Can a Valley Center Domestic Violence Lawyer Help?

If you have been charged with one or more domestic violence offenses in Valley Center, our experienced legal team can protect your rights, examine the prosecution’s case against you, and challenge every flaw. Our founding attorney is a board-certified criminal law specialist and a former police officer with experience on both sides of the issue. Contact jD Law Criminal Defense Attorneys at (760) 630-2000 for a strong criminal defense against domestic violence charges.

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