San Diego Lawyers Answer Your Questions About Domestic Violence Charges
What should I do after being charged with domestic violence?
Can I get this dismissed?
Am I going to jail?
What about the other charges?
It is fairly common for domestic situations to result in charges in addition to domestic violence. Some of these include:
- Dissuading a witness
- Vandalism
- Battery
These may be separate charges, but they likely all stem from the same set of allegations. It’s possible that the additional charges are weak and were only added to help prosecutors intimidate you into pleading guilty.
Don’t panic when you see what you’re up against. Instead, contact a lawyer who is so knowledgeable about domestic violence defense that he wrote a book on the subject. He and the rest of our team can examine the details of your case and help you understand the next steps.
Will I get a chance to tell my side of the story?
Absolutely. Telling your side of the story is crucial in a domestic violence case. Our attorneys will advocate for you behind closed doors, via email and in meetings with the judge and prosecution. If an agreement cannot be reached, you’ll have the opportunity to present your case at trial. We’ll work with you to collect evidence that illustrates what actually took place, ensuring your voice is heard throughout the legal process.
Can I still be charged if the alleged victim wants to drop charges?
Yes, you can. It’s the prosecution that decides to press charges, not the alleged victim. However, if the alleged victim doesn’t want to press charges, their statement, combined with a well-prepared prefiling packet that we’ll help you create, can be effective in demonstrating to the prosecutor that criminal charges may not be warranted. We’ll work diligently to present your case in the most favorable light possible.
What if I was acting in self-defense?
If you were acting in self-defense, you cannot be convicted of domestic violence. However, proving self-defense requires demonstrating that you reasonably believed you were in imminent danger and used only the force necessary to prevent that danger. Our attorneys will thoroughly examine the evidence to substantiate your self-defense claim and present a compelling case on your behalf.
Can a domestic violence case affect my job?
Unfortunately, the answer is yes. A domestic violence charge can potentially impact your professional life, especially if you hold a professional license or security clearance. In other types of work, your employer may be able to fire you if your criminal charges are impacting your ability to continue doing your job.
In an attempt to “get ahead of the story,” you might feel compelled to disclose your arrest and charges to your employer before they find out through other means. This isn’t necessarily a good idea. You may have no obligation to tell your employer and volunteering this information could hurt rather than help you. Before speaking to your boss, talk to an experienced defense attorney.
Discuss Your Case With A Highly Experienced Defense Attorney For Free
Premier Domestic Violence Law Group is based in San Diego, with additional satellite offices in the surrounding areas of California. We make it easy to explore your legal options by offering free case evaluations. To tell us your side of the story and get advice from an experienced domestic violence defense lawyer, call 619-752-3702 or submit an online contact form.