Domestic Violence

 

In today's political climate, a person accused of domestic violence has a difficult road ahead. Police guidelines mandate that law enforcement officers arrest a person accused of assault, spousal abuse, elder abuse, or child abuse, and the guidelines prohibit the immediate release of suspects on their own recognizance. Even more, district attorneys now aggressively prosecute all reported cases of domestic violence, and they do not drop or reduce the charges simply because the accuser requests that charges be dropped or when the accuser refuses to testify in court.

If you have been arrested for or charged with domestic violence, it is imperative that you seek the counsel of attorneys who are familiar with the local justice system and experienced with domestic violence law — attorneys such as Paul Grech and Chad Firetag. Contact us for a free consultation, and we will discuss your options with you.

Types of Domestic Violence
A spouse (husband or wife), co-habitant, lover, parent or child may accuse another of domestic violence. The relevant laws also apply to gay and lesbian same-sex relationships. Crimes of violence in a domestic setting include:

• Assault
• Battery
• Rape
• Child abuse, neglect, and/or endangerment
• Elder abuse
• Stalking
• Harassment

Each of these charges carries serious potential criminal punishment.

Serious Consequences of Domestic Violence Convictions
The consequences of domestic violence convictions are severe and include jail or prison time, mandatory counseling and anger management programs, and restraining orders barring the offender from returning home or seeing one's spouse and/or children.

The sentence for a felony domestic violence conviction can be two or more years in a state prison, and a misdemeanor conviction can result in a yearlong stay in the county jail. For some individuals, their employment status, property rights, and immigration status may also be put in jeopardy.  A conviction for an offense related to domestic violence is a permanent bar to gun ownership.

At the Law Offices of Grech & Firetag, we understand the devastating nature of domestic violence allegations, and we strive to help you, whether that means:

• Negotiating with prosecutors
• Getting your charges dismissed
• Getting a restraining order lifted
• Representing you at trial
• Getting the court to dismiss your case
• Working to have the charge or punishment reduced

Our attorneys have handled hundreds of domestic violence cases in Riverside and San Bernardino Counties, and we can help you too. Contact us today to get the representation you need to fight an allegation of domestic violence.