Request Free Consultation
Facing Domestic Violence Charges in Los Angeles: Know Your Legal Options
A domestic violence accusation can turn your life upside down overnight. An arrest, criminal charges, and even a protective order can follow quickly, affecting your family, your job, and your freedom. The Duran Law Group represents individuals facing domestic violence allegations and related criminal charges in Los Angeles and throughout Los Angeles County. If you or someone you love has been accused, understanding your rights and options matters now, not later.
Schedule a Free Consultation with our team to discuss the specifics of your situation and learn what steps may come next.
Who We Are
The Duran Law Group is based in West Hollywood and serves clients throughout Los Angeles County. The firm handles domestic violence matters as part of its broader criminal defense practice, and attorney John J. Duran brings extensive courtroom experience to these cases. Domestic violence matters handled by the firm include allegations involving domestic battery, corporal injury, criminal threats, stalking, and protective-order violations.
Understanding the Stakes After an Accusation
A domestic violence allegation can lead to a range of serious consequences, including:
- Misdemeanor or felony charges, depending on the alleged conduct
- Arrest and booking procedures
- Criminal court proceedings that move quickly
- A protective or restraining order limiting contact with another person
- Potential effects on housing, custody, or family relationships
- Possible consequences for employment or professional licensing
- Long-term consequences if a conviction results
These consequences matter, and they're precisely why many people facing an accusation seek guidance from a domestic violence lawyer early in the process. An attorney can review the allegations, the evidence, and the applicable law before decisions are made that are difficult to undo. Being accused does not mean guilt has been established, and every case deserves a careful, individualized review.
Domestic Violence Defense in Los Angeles, CA
Domestic violence cases in California can involve different criminal statutes depending on the alleged conduct and circumstances. Common charges include:
Domestic Battery
California law can criminalize certain unwanted physical contact involving an intimate partner or other qualifying person under Penal Code § 243(e)(1).
Corporal Injury to an Intimate Partner
Under Penal Code § 273.5, California addresses the willful infliction of corporal injury resulting in a traumatic condition under certain circumstances.
Criminal Threats
Penal Code § 422 may apply when specific statutory requirements regarding threats are met.
Stalking
Penal Code § 646.9 addresses allegations involving repeated following or harassment combined with conduct that causes the required level of fear.
Protective-Order Violations
Violating the terms of a valid order under Penal Code § 273.6 can result in additional charges separate from the underlying allegation.
Not every domestic violence case involves each of these statutes, and the specific charges depend entirely on the facts alleged. A domestic violence defense lawyer can help clarify which laws apply to your situation and what that means for your defense.
Domestic Violence and Restraining Orders
Domestic violence cases sometimes involve a separate restraining-order process that runs alongside, but independently from, any criminal case. A domestic violence restraining order is a civil court order designed to provide protection, and it is not the same legal proceeding as a criminal charge. A restraining order can impose restrictions on contact or other conduct, and violating its terms can create additional legal exposure.
California Courts provides official procedures and forms for requesting, responding to, changing, ending, or renewing certain domestic violence restraining orders. You can review California Courts' domestic violence restraining-order guidance for detailed information on this process.
Because criminal charges and restraining orders involve separate legal tracks, it helps to have guidance that addresses both. Discussing your specific allegations, the evidence against you, and your available options with The Duran Law Group can clarify how these two processes may intersect in your case.
How a Domestic Violence Defense Lawyer Can Help
A thorough defense often starts with a careful review of the details. Depending on the circumstances, this may include:
- Reviewing police reports and available evidence
- Examining witness statements for consistency
- Investigating the circumstances surrounding the allegation
- Identifying potential evidentiary or procedural issues
- Evaluating whether proper legal procedures were followed during the arrest
- Addressing any related protective-order matters
- Negotiating with prosecutors when appropriate
- Preparing thoroughly for hearings or trial
- Protecting your rights at every stage of the criminal process
Every case is different, and the facts alleged determine which of these steps are relevant. Our firm's domestic violence defense services are built around a careful, fact-specific review of each client's circumstances.
Defense Issues That May Require a Closer Look
Because the facts of every case differ, a defense lawyer may need to examine several potential issues, including:
- Conflicting accounts of the events in question
- Witness credibility and testimony
- Physical evidence, photographs, or video
- Text messages or other communications
- The circumstances surrounding the arrest itself
- Whether evidence was lawfully obtained
- Compliance with any applicable court orders
No defense strategy guarantees a particular result, but identifying weaknesses in the prosecution's case is often central to building an appropriate response.
What Happens Next: A Simple Path Forward
- Contact The Duran Law Group to schedule a confidential consultation.
- Discuss the allegations, including the arrest, charges, or any protective order involved.
- Review the case with the attorney, who examines the available evidence and relevant legal issues.
- Develop an appropriate defense strategy, which may involve investigation, negotiation, motions, or trial preparation.
- Move forward with representation, with a clearer understanding of what to expect at each stage.
If your case involves related charges, our Los Angeles criminal defense representation page offers additional context on how the firm approaches broader criminal matters.
Frequently Asked Questions
Remain calm, avoid discussing the incident with law enforcement beyond basic identifying information, and contact a domestic violence lawyer as soon as possible. Early legal guidance can help protect your rights during booking, arraignment, and any related protective-order proceedings.
Domestic battery under Penal Code § 243(e)(1) generally involves unwanted physical contact with an intimate partner, while corporal injury under Penal Code § 273.5 involves the willful infliction of injury resulting in a traumatic condition. The specific facts of an incident determine which charge, if any, applies.
Yes. A criminal domestic violence case can exist alongside a separate civil restraining-order proceeding. These are distinct legal processes, though both may arise from the same underlying allegation. California Courts provides official guidance on requesting, responding to, or modifying these orders.
No. Once a report is made and charges are filed, the decision to prosecute rests with the district attorney's office, not the alleged victim. This is true even if the alleged victim later wishes to withdraw the accusation.
As soon as possible after an arrest, accusation, or receipt of a protective order. Early involvement allows an attorney to review evidence, protect your rights, and help you understand the legal process before key deadlines pass.
Take the Next Step
Domestic violence allegations move quickly through the Los Angeles County court system, and decisions made early in a case can have lasting consequences. Discussing the allegations, the evidence, and your available legal options with The Duran Law Group gives you a clearer picture of what lies ahead and helps you avoid costly missteps.
Ready to talk through your situation?
Contact The Duran Law Group for a confidential consultation. We'll listen to what happened, answer your questions, and help you understand the path in front of you. Schedule a Free Consultation today.
Call us today to schedule a confidential consultation.
Contact Us