A domestic violence conviction accompanies serious offenses under California law. If you or a loved one has been charged with domestic violence, you should consult with a criminal defense attorney who specializes in domestic violence charges to protect your legal rights and put together the best defense to dismiss the charges against you.
Felony v. Misdemeanor
In California, a domestic violence crime can be charged as either a misdemeanor or a felony. This decision is at the discretion of the prosecutor who is assigned to the case. The resulting consequences and penalties will depend on whether the prosecutor decides to charge you with a felony or a misdemeanor domestic violence.
While neither charge is good news, a misdemeanor charge certainly accompanies less severe penalties and consequences.
Misdemeanor Penalties
Penalties for a misdemeanor domestic violence charge can include:
- 52 hours of domestic violence counseling
- 40 hours of community service
- No contact order with the victim
- Heavy fines
- A maximum of 6 months in jail
Felony Penalties
Penalties for a felony domestic violence charge can include:
- 52 hours of domestic violence counseling
- 40 hours of community service
- No contact order with the victim
- Heavy fines
- A minimum of 3 months up to a maximum of 3 years in prison
Regardless of whether you are charged with a misdemeanor or felony domestic violence, the resulting penalties are harsh and can impact all aspects of your life. To protect your legal rights and ensure that you have the best legal defense, you should hire an experienced attorney who will aggressively fight for you.
Call an Experienced Los Angeles Domestic Violence Attorney
For more information or to schedule a complimentary consultation with Los Angeles domestic violence attorney Simon Aval, please call us at (800) 209-9808 or complete our online form. Mr. Aval is a Certified Specialist in criminal law by the state bar of California.