Domestic Violence

Domestic Violence and Child Abuse

Domestic violence child abuse charges have far reaching consequences, from the loss of employment, the inability to find employment and loss of custody and visitation with your children. Many defense attorneys do not have an understanding of the adverse affect these types of charges have on an individual’s life. Murrieta – Temecula criminal defense attorney has successfully defended individuals charged with domestic violence and child abuse since 1993. Contact Karen E. Lockhart at (951) 698-5191 for a free, confidential consultation. Consultations are available by telephone or in person; weekends and evening appointments are available by appointment.

Domestic Violence and Child Abuse are defined in Penal Code section 270-273.75. Misdemeanor domestic violence is defined in Penal Code Section 243(e)(1).

Domestic Violence means abuse committed against a spouse, former spouse, cohabitant, former cohabitant, or person with whom the suspect has had a child or is having or has had a dating or engagement relationship. Abuse means intentionally or recklessly causing, or attempting to cause, bodily injury, or placing another person in reasonable apprehension of imminent serious bodily injury, and can include intentionally or recklessly causing or attempting to cause bodily injury to any of the above listed persons, sexual assault on any of the above listed persons, purposefully putting any of the above listed persons in reasonable fear of serious bodily injury to themselves or to another, or violating a protective order that protects any of the above listed persons.

Child Abuse can be charged under a number of different theories. It is against the law to deny children the basic necessities of life, including food, clothing, and medical care, and shelter. If children are denied these necessities, law enforcement and other government agencies, such as the Department of Social Services, may become involved. There are can be very severe consequences for any person who is convicted of endangering or abandoning a child, including a jail or prison term, and removal of the child from your custody.

Long lasting consequences can result when a person is charged with any crimes that involves children. You must speak with a competent and experienced child abuse criminal defense attorney.

Defenses

Prosecutors and judges take accusations of domestic violence and child abuse / endangerment very seriously. Even if the alleged victim says that he or she was not hurt, it can be difficult to avoid being charged. We know what it takes to successfully protect the rights of those who are facing domestic violence or child abuse charges. If you are struggling with a family violence charge, we encourage you to contact us as soon as possible to begin defending yourself.

Additionally, if you have been accused of committing a domestic violence act, you should take pictures of any injuries you sustained in the encounter. Injuries to the victim are often documented by police, but those who are accused are often hurt, as well. If two people are involved in an altercation and both are injured, it is hard to know just exactly who is the victim and who is the aggressor.

Punishment

Domestic violence and child abuse can be prosecuted as a misdemeanor or a felony. Misdemeanor charges can be punished by a year in the county jail, while felony charges carry state prison sentences. Any person who places a child in a seemingly dangerous situation can be charged with child endangerment / abuse.

Domestic Violence and Child Abuse Criminal Defense

If you have been accused or arrested a domestic violence, child abuse, or child abandonment case, we can help. Contact Karen E. Lockhart, an experienced domestic violence and child abuse criminal defense attorney at 951-698-5191, for a free, confidential consultation.