After a person is arrested for prostitution or solicitation, they will likely have questions. What penalties will they face? Is it possible to protect their reputation? Will this impact their future? In some cases, diversion offers an opportunity for these charges to...
DUI
Who can accuse you of domestic violence?
While many people associate domestic violence with romantic relationships, California law defines these charges more broadly. Who in a person’s life can make accusations of domestic violence? Can people you not in a romantic relationship with you make accusations? Under California’s Penal Code 243(e)(1), domestic violence charges can involve a wide variety of people. While spouses, fiancés and other romantic…
Is early termination of my probation a possibility?
A domestic violence charge can be a scary thing to face. You may have accepted a plea deal in order to avoid the potential jail time you could have faced by going to trial. But now that you’re on probation, you realize that your tarnished criminal record is creating hurdles in your ability to land a job or rent an…
Understanding false imprisonment and other wobbler offenses in California
You and your spouse are involved in a heated argument. As they reach for their keys and head for the door, you grab their arm in an effort to convince them to stay. What may seem like an insignificant gesture can actually have ramifications under California law. Such an action could lead to a false imprisonment charge. What is false…
Can I get my domestic violence conviction expunged?
Having a domestic violence conviction on your record can give you a reputation that can be difficult to shake. You may have served your time and worked to better yourself as a person, but this red mark on your record can sour first impressions of anyone you meet – from potential employers to potential life partners. Fortunately, expungement can provide…
How can expunging my record help my career prospects?
Having a criminal conviction on your record can create many long-term challenges for you later on in life. Even after you have served your sentence and paid any fines, you still have this black mark that follows you – creating hurdles in gaining employment, obtaining a loan or securing an apartment. You may have heard of expungement as of means…
Rethinking the reliability of eyewitness testimony
Eyewitnesses can provide evidence that’s very compelling to a jury. If you’re facing domestic violence charges, and you have a witness testifying that you committed the crime in question, you may be worried about what you can do to change the jury’s mind. While it is human inclination to want to believe what others observe and recount, it is important…
How does a ‘mitigation packet’ help in domestic violence defense?
When someone is charged with domestic violence, it can result from false accusations, a distorted version of a dispute between partners or a one-time heat-of-the-moment mistake that ultimately involves law enforcement. If you are charged or investigated for domestic violence, it’s crucial to contact an experienced San Diego defense attorney as soon as possible. One of the tools a knowledgeable…
What is the difference between a fiery argument and domestic violence?
Every couple argues. The events of the past year have left many couples contending with job loss, health concerns and isolation from family and friends during lockdown. This, in turn, has put additional strain on interpersonal relationships. Perhaps your marital spats have escalated in frequency or severity during this time. But where exactly is the line between a normal relationship…
What is pretrial military diversion for domestic violence?
U.S. military personnel face unique psychological and physical challenges, often leading to domestic violence incidents between servicemen and women and their spouses, intimate partners or family members. Recognizing the tremendous stress faced by military families, California law created a military diversion program, which provides an alternative to jail and other traditional forms of punishment for those convicted. Eligibility requirements for…