One of the first and most important things to do if you're charged with a California domestic violence case is not to put yourself in a position where you're having any more problems with the alleged victim in the case.
This is a common problem that pops up, and what will end up happening is, number one, there'll be a full protective order against you, so you can't get within a hundred yards of the alleged victim. They're never going to take it off if you continue to have issues with that person.
Then, number two, they're going to up the stakes and want to put you in jail if you can't control yourself about this other person. This could lead to a criminal record, which can have long-term consequences. Finally, the most important thing is that you need to realize that the prosecutors will contact this other person before dealing with your case. Our Los Angeles criminal defense attorneys will explain this topic more below.
Whether it be to try and do a plea bargain and resolve it or to try to prosecute you and do a trial and get you convicted, punished, and sentenced by a criminal judge, the prosecutors in domestic violence cases get input from the alleged victim, so they don't have any more problems.
A plea bargain could result in a lesser charge or sentence, while a trial could lead to a conviction and serious penalties. A conviction in a domestic violence case can lead to serious penalties, including jail time, fines, and a criminal record.
You want whatever input they're getting to at least be that you're not bothering them anymore. Hopefully, maybe they embellished their story if that's what happened and tried to lessen the potential consequences to you in your domestic violence-related offense.
The bottom line is that domestic violence cases are very politically charged. The prosecutors are looking to do what they think is right to help the alleged victim from having any more problems related to you.
The alleged victim's testimony and cooperation can significantly impact the outcome of your case, as it can influence the prosecutor's decision to either prosecute or negotiate a plea bargain.
So, step number one is not having any more issues with the other party. Step number two is, in conjunction with that, to get to an attorney who knows the courthouse where your case is pending, who has handled domestic violence cases, and who knows what it's going to take to get the most effective result for you and make the moves that are going to be necessary to get a positive outcome moving forward.
Contact a Domestic Violence Defense Lawyer
Like any problem in life, to tackle it the right way, you have to take it step by step, piece by piece, and chunk by chunk. So, the first step is to pick up the phone and make the call. I'll get you in.
As you sit down with your attorney and discuss your case, you'll start to feel a sense of control and empowerment. This is a crucial step towards achieving a successful outcome in your domestic violence case.
Once you have a domestic violence attorney on your side, the next step is to trust their expertise and follow their game plan. By doing so, you can take the necessary steps to navigate the criminal justice system and work towards a positive outcome. This will provide you with a clear sense of direction and control over your case.
