West Covina Domestic Violence Defense Attorney

What is Domestic Violence?

A domestic violence crime involves physical abuse or threats against a significant other, ex, child, stepchild, another family member, or former/current cohabitant. Besides tarnishing your reputation, a domestic violence conviction carries hefty fines and jail time. On top of this, the court may put a restraining order in place to prevent future offenses, which may mean you have to move out of your home. So you need to prepare for aggressive prosecution. 

Don’t let a simple disagreement ruin your good name. Consult with our domestic violence attorneys at Wallin & Klarich. We have successfully defended West Covina clients accused of domestic violence for over four decades. Choosing our skilled lawyers increases your chances of avoiding a wrongful conviction and jail.  Call us today at (877) 4-NO-JAIL for your free consultation!

Who Is Considered A Cohabitant in Domestic Violence Cases?

Since cohabitation is not defined under Penal Code 273.5(a), the court determines which relationships meet the requirements of domestic violence. Simply put, a cohabitant is a person who is not related but shares a home and relationship with you. It’s important to note that the prosecution can charge you with domestic violence on former cohabitants as well. 

The court considers the circumstances of your relationship with the alleged victim to determine cohabitation, such as: 

• The sexual relationship between you and the alleged victim
• Whether you shared bills or income 
• Any shared property or ownership of other assets
• How you refer to each other in the relationship, for example, boyfriend, girlfriend, fiancee, domestic partners, 
• How long you’ve been in a relationship

Domestic Violence Crimes in West Covina

Wallin & Klarich has defended thousands of clients facing accusations of domestic violence in West Covina. The most common domestic violence charges include: 

• Infliction of corporal injury on a spouse or cohabitant - PC 273.5 – The prosecution can pursue either a felony or misdemeanor charge for this crime. However, they must prove beyond a reasonable doubt that you committed the following: 

1. Physically injured a co-parent, former spouse, or current spouse
2. You acted with intent, meaning you injured the alleged victim on purpose.  
3. The alleged victim suffered trauma from your actions. The law considers a wound, scratch, bruise, or cut trauma, even if the injury is not severe. 

• Domestic battery - PC 243(e)(1) – A domestic battery conviction is a misdemeanor. The prosecutor must prove you committed the following for a domestic battery conviction:

1. You intentionally touched the alleged victim with whom you share a close relationship. 
2. You offended or injured the victim by touching them in a violent, angry, rude, or disrespectful way. 

Understanding Potential Penalties |  Domestic Violence 

California takes domestic violence very seriously, and as such the penalties are more severe than in other states. Many people don’t realize the profound effects a conviction can have on their professional and family lives as well. Our domestic violence attorneys at Wallin & Klarich are committed to your defense. Consulting with us is the first step toward avoiding harsh legal and personal consequences that could forever change your life. Below, we’ve summarized the penalties for domestic violence crimes, so you understand what you’re facing.

Corporal Injury in Domestic Relations | PC 273.5

The penalties for corporal injury to a spouse vary according to your criminal history and the allegations against you. Previous violent convictions can dramatically increase your sentence. The court can also sentence you to additional jail time for seriously injuring the victim. The penalties for corporal injury in West Covina are summarized below. 

• • Misdemeanor penalties for corporal injury PC 273.5
    • One year in jail 
    • Up to $6,000 in fines
    • Misdemeanor probation
    • Domestic violence restraining order, possibly barring you from your home and forbidding contact with the victim for up to 10 years
    • Community service 
    • Court-ordered therapy
    •  52-week batterer’s program.
    • Restitution to pay for the victim’s expenses resulting from the incident, such as the cost of medical treatment and counseling. 
    • Losing your right to bear arms 

• Felony penalties for corporal injury PC 273.5(a)

• • • Two, three, or four years in prison
    • Up to $6,000 in fines
    • Domestic violence restraining order 
    • Restitution 
    • Felony probation 
    • Batterer’s program for 52 weeks
    • Losing your right to bear arms

• Felony penalties with prior convictions

• • • Five years in prison
    • Up to $10,000 in fines
    • Domestic violence restraining order
    • Restitution
    • Felony probation 
    • Batterer’s program for 52 weeks
    • Losing your right to bear arms 

• Penalties for serious injury to victim PC 12202.7

• • Three, four, or five years in prison and other penalties in addition to your corporal injury sentence

Domestic Battery | PC 243(e)(1) 

Domestic battery is a misdemeanor in West Covina; however, many people do not realize the far-reaching consequences of a conviction. If the court finds you guilty, you face significant personal consequences and legal penalties for domestic battery, which include:

• One year in jail
•  Up to $2,000 in fines
• Domestic violence restraining order
• Informal probation 
• Restitution 
• Batterer’s program for 52 weeks
• Loss of your right to bear arms 

How A Domestic Violence Conviction Can Affect Your Personal & Professional Life

A domestic violence conviction not only disrupts your life. It also affects your loved ones. If a restraining order is put in place and you share a home with the alleged victim, you may be required to leave your home. Plus, having a conviction of this nature can cause custody issues. You may miss out on important moments in your children’s lives, and being away from you is traumatic for your children as well. On top of all this, you may lose your job or professional license due to a domestic violence conviction, which makes it extremely difficult to provide for your family. 

Don’t let false accusations or a misunderstanding rip your family apart. 

Consult with our skilled defense attorneys at Wallin & Klarich. We have over 40 years of experience helping clients just like you get their domestic violence charges dropped. With Wallin & Klarich at your side, you have a better chance of winning your case and maintaining your good name! Call us today to receive your free consultation!

Possible Defenses Against Domestic Violence Charges

We’ve talked to many clients who were ready to throw in the towel and plead guilty. However, after consulting with our attorneys, they understood what to expect and some of the ways we could help them. If you’re facing domestic violence charges in West Covina, give us a call. The best news is that your consultation won’t cost you a thing! 

For over 40 years, we’ve created numerous defenses for domestic violence cases. We’ve helped numerous clients get their charges reduced or dropped. A few of the most effective defenses for domestic violence include but are not limited to: 

Self-Defense

Self-defense led to domestic violence charges for some of our clients. However, our attorneys were able to craft a solid argument to prove self-defense. Since the prosecution can’t convict you for self-defense, we may argue this defense on your behalf if the alleged victim threatened or attacked you.  

For example, your significant other starts hitting you and corners you in the hallway. You hit smack and kick them to get free. When the police arrive, they arrest you for domestic battery. 

Your Wallin & Klarich attorney could challenge your accuser’s credibility, and we’ll show the court evidence that you used reasonable force to stop the attack.

You need a skilled defense attorney to successfully argue this defense. Our domestic violence defense attorneys at Wallin & Klarich know the legal requirements of self-defense. We can craft a powerful argument to prove your innocence and get your domestic violence charges dropped.

False Allegations

In many cases, domestic violence arrests arise due to people exaggerating or lying out of anger. Once emotions calm down, they may regret making the false allegations and want to know how to get their partner’s domestic violence charges dropped. While the prosecutor decides whether to pursue charges, a partner can make a written statement telling the court that the allegations are untrue, which could lead to the court dismissing your charges. 

Hiring A Skilled Defense Attorney | How We Can Assist You

Serious accusations require a skilled and experienced defense attorney. With 40+ years of experience, Wallin & Klarich stands out among the crowd of West Covina criminal defense firms. Our attorneys specialize in defending clients accused of domestic violence and understand the most effective defense strategies. You should consider many factors when choosing a criminal defense lawyer. However, some of the key characteristics that set us apart include:

1. Loyal Advocates
2. Skilled Negotiators
3. Solid Record for 40+ Years 
4. Specialized Legal Knowledge

Your Loyal Advocates | The Wallin & Klarich Difference 

Loyalty is hard to find. Unfortunately, many law firms treat clients like case numbers rather than real people. At Wallin & Klarich, we believe you deserve respect and dedication. But we don’t just say it; we show it through our devotion to your defense and our interactions with you. Our attorneys promptly address all of your concerns because we never want you to feel dismissed or unheard. Rest assured, our communication with you will always be straightforward and genuine. With Wallin & Klarich at your side, you can walk into court confident that we have your best interests in mind. Moreover, we’ll be prepared to put up our strongest fight. 

Skilled Negotiators | 40+ Years of Success

Wallin & Klarich has a history of success spanning 40+ years. We’ve obtained the best possible results in complex domestic violence cases and helped our clients avoid spending time behind bars. Their stories stand as a testament to our skilled legal negotiation. More importantly, they renew our motivation to defend others falsely accused of domestic violence in West Covina. Our passion for helping clients has not wavered in over four decades and counting. Discover how our skilled negotiators can help you fight your accusations in West Covina, CA. Contact us today toll-free at (877) 4-NO-JAIL or (877) 466-5245 for a free consultation with an experienced, local domestic violence attorney. 

When you need us, we will be here.