San Diego County Domestic Violence Lawyer

It is a common misconception that domestic violence only takes place when a husband abuses a wife. However, domestic violence is much more complex and can affect any member of a household. It has been estimated that about ten million Americans are affected by domestic violence each year, leaving victims with physical and emotional scars. Domestic violence is a violent confrontation that occurs between family members, people who live together, or individuals who are in a dating relationship. It is a serious offense that can be highly damaging to a person’s life if they are convicted.  Learn more how a domestic violence lawyer can help you.

Dod Law, APC, is a criminal defense law firm with 18 years of experience helping clients who have been accused of domestic violence in San Diego County, California. When you are accused of a serious crime, you may feel helpless and like the entire justice system is against you. However, that is not the case. Our team of award-winning domestic violence lawyers is dedicated to helping clients build a strong defense. 

What You Should Do if You Are Accused of Domestic Violence

There are many reasons that a person may wrongfully accuse another of domestic violence. Generally, the reasoning behind this accusation stems from messy divorce proceedings, getting revenge on an ex-spouse or ex-partner, or getting the upper hand in a child custody battle. Regardless of why you were falsely accused of this crime, you may be facing serious penalties, so it is important you know what you should do to avoid making matters worse as our legal team works to build your defense case.

Stay Away From Your Accuser

When a person is accused or charged with domestic violence, the accuser is often issued an emergency protection order. It is crucial that you do not violate this order and that you remain away from the accuser. You should not try to make any contact with them for the duration of your case. 

Secure Evidence

You should secure any evidence that may be used to exonerate you from the crime. This type of evidence may include text messages or social media posts. 

Do Not Post About the Case

You should avoid posting about your case on social media. This is because those posts may later be used against you by the legal team of your accuser. It is best to stay off of social media until your case has concluded

If you are unsure of what you should do following a domestic violence accusation in San Diego County, consult one of our knowledgeable domestic violence lawyers. Our domestic violence defense attorney is dedicated to protecting your rights and interests as we build your case. 

What Are the Types of Domestic Violence? 

Domestic violence is a complex crime that may affect many different groups of people. Additionally, domestic violence does not always involve physical abuse. The different types of domestic violence that you may be accused of include:

• Abandonment
• Assault
• Battery
• Child abuse
• Emotional abuse
• Financial abuse
• Kidnapping
• Sexual assault
• Stalking

If you have been falsely accused of domestic violence, you have the right to defend yourself by working with our team of trusted attorneys who are passionate about helping you get the charges against you dropped. 

Domestic Violence Penalties in San Diego County

Being accused of this serious crime can result in various penalties that can negatively impact a person’s life. After being accused, your reputation with friends and family may be damaged, you may have trouble finding employment, and you will likely struggle to rent a home. Legally, you may face even more serious repercussions if you are convicted. These legal penalties include:

Jail Time

Depending on your criminal record and the details of your case, you may be facing up to one year in jail if you are facing a misdemeanor or longer if you are facing a felony charge. 

Community Service

While this may seem like a lighter sentence, if you fail to complete the mandated amount of community service hours, you may face a harsher penalty as a result. For some individuals, their circumstances, like having a demanding job or lack of transportation, may make completing the community service hours difficult. 

Loss of Firearm Rights

Depending on the details of your case, you may be at risk of losing your right to own a firearm if you are convicted. 

Fines

You may be facing costly fines if you are convicted of a domestic violence charge in San Diego County.

Loss of Parental Rights

If children are involved, you may risk losing your parental rights. A judge may do this if they believe that the child is in danger if they remain in your care. 

Contact a San Diego County Domestic Violence Lawyer

Understanding what domestic violence is and your options to combat it are critical to an effective defense strategy in San Diego County, California. These charges can be impactful in almost every area of your life, so successfully fighting them is vital. Dod Law has cultivated effective criminal defense strategies in this practice area that have helped our clients overcome domestic violence charges. We work to preserve your rights in every way possible so that you don’t end up being adversely affected by domestic violence charges that don’t reflect the facts of the situation. 

Learn more with a free case review. Call us at (619) 814-5110 or contact us online to schedule a free consultation today.