A defendant convicted of a domestic violence charge will most likely be sentenced to a batterer’s class as a condition of probation in California. The time requirement is typically one class a week for a year, although the defendant can attend more frequently if he or she chooses. Batterer’s classes are geared towards people who need help managing their anger and potential violent outbursts. For the victims of abuse, the goal of counseling is to prevent them from also resorting to violence. Counselors encourage the abusers to examine their belief system in order to understand why they use violence to try to solve their problems. The hope is that the batterer will learn that violence is not an effective means to control intimate relationships.

If the court determines that the defendant was using alcohol or drugs when the violent episode occurred, the defendant may be required to attend a specified number of Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) or Narcotics Anonymous (NA) meetings. According to domestic violence statistics, the use of alcohol or drugs often coincides with abuse. AA and NA meetings are free of charge and held regularly throughout the state.

Attorneys at the Kavinoky Law Firm have a great deal of experience with domestic violence cases and understand what their clients are going through when facing intimate partner abuse. They have successfully helped numerous defendants in California domestic abuse cases, treating each client with respect and compassion. If a client is placed on probation, a Kavinoky attorney can help the client make sure that he or she completes all conditions of the probation. Doing so creates an opportunity for the defendant to have his or her criminal conviction expunged. These attorneys have a host of resources available to aid their clients in fulfilling probationary conditions as conveniently as possible.

Counseling is also available to victims of domestic violence who often times have special needs as a result of the abuse they have suffered. Services may include individual or group therapy, vocational training, and instructions on how to safely escape from a violent partner. This type of therapy seeks to empower the victim to leave an abusive relationship behind for his or her personal safety.

In several situations, the accused was also the victim of abuse by a former partner or family member. Some couples involved in abusive relationships have been both abusers and victims. In these situations, it is important that the accused receives counseling as a victim as well as an abuser. The skilled defense attorneys at the Kavinoky Law Firm are fully invested in making sure their clients are receiving appropriate outside care. With years of experience in dealing with domestic violence cases, they have referrals for all types of counseling services, regardless of the client’s gender or sexual orientation. They can help find services to meet any of their clients’ needs, including any non-English speaking clients.

California domestic abuse charges are very serious and the consequences can be devastating. Trying to negotiate this very technical and complex area of the law without knowledgeable counsel is a mistake. Hiring a skilled attorney from the Kavinoky Law Firm immediately after a domestic violence arrest is imperative to a successful defense.