Riverside Domestic Violence Defense Attorneys

In California, domestic violence is defined broadly. The crime, also known as family violence, domestic abuse or spousal abuse, is defined as 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. (Separate laws prohibit child abuse and neglect.) The punishments are also quite broad, including time in jail or prison; fines; restrictions on gun ownership; and a year of court-ordered anger management classes. When you’re facing these types of punishments, it’s crucial to get the advice of an experienced Riverside domestic violence defense attorney.

Wallin & Klarich can help. We have more than 30 years of experience defending both men and women accused of domestic violence in Southern California. As criminal defense professionals, we know domestic violence is rarely as cut-and-dried as it looks on television. We also understand that police officers, who frequently see domestic arguments that got out of hand, sometimes make bad assumptions about a fight based on gender. In fact, officers are required by law in California to make an arrest if there’s any visible injury, even when neither party wants the arrest. For hundreds of defendants each year, that means a legal and personal nightmare over what should have been a private matter.

Penalties and Defenses for Domestic Violence

In California, prosecutors can choose to charge domestic violence as either a felony or a misdemeanor. You’re likely to draw the lesser misdemeanor charge, carrying up to a year in jail, if there was no serious injury or you don’t have a prior record. Felony domestic violence carries several years in prison -- which can be doubled or extended even further if it’s counted as a "strike" charge under the three-strikes law. Unfortunately, the penalties don’t end there. Anyone convicted in California of domestic violence must attend a mandatory year of anger management classes, and endure years of restrictions on the right to own a gun. Felony convictions come with loss of your right to vote as well as trouble finding a job. And a domestic violence conviction can hurt you in other ways if you’re fighting for custody of your children in court.

Fortunately, Wallin & Klarich domestic violence defense attorneys can raise many possible defenses for you. Not all accusations of domestic violence are honest. Some are motivated by anger and hurt after revelations of an affair, cheating or other personal matters. Others have financial or personal motivations behind them, such as child custody battles. And sometimes, witnesses have a history of dishonesty, drug or alcohol abuse, mental health problems or other conditions that cast doubt on their claims. Our experienced Riverside domestic violence lawyers will find these and other circumstances to build a strong defense for you, in or out of court.

Experienced Family Violence Defense Firm

At Wallin & Klarich, our Riverside criminal defense lawyers 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 strain 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 1-877-281-1374. We promise to be there when you call.

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