Domestic violence crimes in California can be charged as felonies or misdemeanors depending on the extent of the violence and whether the alleged victim suffered an actual physical injury. These crimes involve disputes between intimate partners ? homosexual or heterosexual people who are married, divorced, separated, cohabitating, dating, or who have children in common.

People in intimate relationships sometimes experience highly emotional disputes that can escalate quickly. The very nature of intimacy can lead to heated confrontations. California has taken a tough stance against domestic violence, therefore a conviction for these crimes can jeopardize the defendant’s family, career and freedom. Many domestic violence figures reveal that sometimes, both partners have engaged in abusing each other.

Unfortunately, when the police respond to a domestic abuse call, they assume that the person who placed the 911 call is the victim and the other partner is the batterer. The police may rely on that assumption and arrest the person they think is the abuser. In a heterosexual relationship, this is almost always the man. Despite our society’s stereotypes, men do experience abuse by their female partners. Furthermore, there is a good chance that both partners have engaged in abuse. When the person charged with abuse also suffered from it, he or she should immediately hire a skilled criminal defense lawyer. Having a good attorney representing you increases the likelihood that your version of the alleged events will be heard. The attorneys at the Kavinoky Law Firm have litigated domestic violence cases for years. They understand the complicated nuances in D.V. law and the difficult time that these situations present for the whole family.

It is not uncommon for an attorney to work closely with a private investigator to engage in fact finding that supports the defendant’s side of the story. Evidence collected may include statements made about the incident, dated photographs of any injuries that the defendant sustained, police reports, medical reports, weapons used by the partner, pictures of the area where the violent incident occurred, household objects that were damaged, calls made to 911, and certified copies of the alleged victim’s criminal history. Once the private investigator and attorney secure all the relevant evidence, the lawyer will determine the best strategy to defend the alleged batterer’s actions during the incident, as well as emphasize that he or she was also a victim of abuse.

If the defendant has safety concerns, the attorney can help that individual obtain the appropriate restraining order to protect him or her. A criminal lawyer will also instruct his or her client on the potential consequences of the partner violating the order. The attorney will also have many resources to help the defendant deal with the emotional ramifications of being falsely accused or shouldering the sole burden for a situation that involved abuse by both partners.

The competent attorneys at the Kavinoky Law Firm understand California domestic violence cases and have assisted numerous defendants through the criminal court process with compassion and respect. They will help with all aspects of the litigation and can get the defendant the help needed to make it through this difficult time.