Being accused of domestic violence in the state of California is a serious charge. Even if you are innocent, you must take your arrest seriously. Under California law, police are nearly always required to arrest any man or woman accused of spousal abuse or domestic violence—whether or not the suspect is guilty. A person who receives a misdemeanor conviction for spousal abuse can spend up to a year in the county jail. In addition, he or she may be required to participate in a 52 week anger management program. A person with a felony conviction for domestic violence could spend up to four years in State prison.

Recent laws that are meant to protect domestic violence victims can often end up victimizing innocent people that are wrongfully accused of committing domestic violence crimes. District attorneys will frequently pursue a case of spousal abuse even after a police officer admits to exaggerating any complaints or after an alleged victim confesses that he or she lied about being abused. D.A.’s frequently believe that the alleged domestic violence victim is just trying to prevent their abuser from spending time in prison or acquiring a criminal record.

If you have been arrested for spousal abuse or another charge that is related to domestic violence, including making criminal threats to your spouse or partner, battery, assault, damaging the phone lines of your spouse or partner, making threatening phone calls, or intimidating a victim or witness, you must call a criminal defense lawyer who has the experience to defend you. Frequently, domestic violence charges can be lowered or dismissed so that you don’t have to serve any jail time.

Contact an Experienced Domestic Abuse Defense Attorney in Sacramento today for your free initial consultation.

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