Los Angeles Domestic Violence Defense Lawyers

Under California law, domestic violence is physical violence or unwanted assault against a current or former spouse or romantic partner, someone you live with or someone you have a child with. It’s often also called spousal abuse, domestic abuse, spousal battery or family violence, and prosecutors can choose to charge it as a felony or a misdemeanor, depending on the circumstances. If you’re convicted of domestic violence, you face time in jail or prison, fines, restrictions on your right to own a gun, 52 weeks of anger management classes and more -- not to mention the damage to your reputation. With that much at stake, it’s essential to get help from an experienced, aggressive criminal defense attorney.

Wallin & Klarich can help. We’ve spent over 30 years practicing criminal defense law in Southern California, and have successfully defended hundreds of people accused of domestic violence -- both men and women. We understand that arguments sometimes get out of hand, and that police officers sometimes make wrong assumptions. Even if neither person wants law enforcement involved, the decision is sometimes taken out of their hands by laws requiring automatic arrests after a visible injury. Unfortunately, some of these misunderstandings become domestic violence charges that have a catastrophic effect on our clients and their families.

Penalties for a Los Angeles Family Violence Charge

As a misdemeanor, domestic violence carries up to a year in jail and is most likely if there’s no visible serious injury; a felony domestic violence charge carries several years in state prison. But the penalties attached to a domestic violence conviction don’t end at the jailhouse door. Any conviction on your record makes civil cases over child custody or restraining orders much more difficult to win. It can also substantially disrupt your life with a year of anger management classes and years of restrictions on your right to use a gun -- putting law enforcement and security employees in a tough spot. And thanks to California’s three strikes law, the sentence for a felony domestic violence charge could double.

Experienced Domestic Violence Defense Law Firm

The "he said, she said" nature of domestic violence cases means Wallin & Klarich can often build a strong case in your defense. Not all accusers are honest; some are angry about personal matters or trying to gain the upper hand in an argument about children or property. Some are simply not reliable because of their history of dishonest behavior, drug or alcohol abuse problems or poor mental health. And in some cases, the situation was a misunderstanding that should never have turned into a court case. Our aggressive Los Angeles domestic violence lawyers will do a thorough investigation into the circumstances behind your case, in order to build the best possible defense for you.

At Wallin & Klarich, we approach each case with the belief that we could easily be defending one of our own family members. After more than 30 years of defending domestic violence and related crimes throughout Southern California, we understand the stress and turmoil a domestic violence charge can cause in our clients’ lives. That’s why we’re committed to always being available when our clients call: seven days a week, 24 hours a day and 365 days a year. To schedule a free evaluation of your case, contact Wallin & Klarich today by filling out our confidential online consultation form or call 1-877-385-4950. We promise to be there when you call.