A domestic violence arrest in Inglewood, CA, can turn your world upside down. You could lose your relationship, your career, and your freedom. It doesn't matter how it happened. You need an expert Inglewood, CA, criminal defense attorney to protect your rights.
Domestic violence is different from regular violent crimes because of the status of the alleged victim: If it was your spouse, dating partner, co-parent, or someone you used to date and/or live with, you can face special domestic violence charges like domestic battery or corporal injury on a spouse or cohabitant.
Our domestic violence defense team will defend your rights and challenge the prosecution's narrative. We will listen to your story, build a defense around it, and keep you informed about updates to your case — and we're ready to get started today.
If You Were Just Arrested, Do This Now:
- Politely decline to answer questions.
- Reach out to a lawyer (phone lines available 24/7): (800) 755-5174.
- Do not try to "clear things up" with the alleged victim.
On this page:
- What counts as domestic violence, and the charges that come with it
- What to do if you're accused
- The different parts of the post-arrest process in Inglewood, CA
- What you could be facing in terms of protective orders and custody battles
- Possible formal and collateral consequences of a domestic violence conviction
- Special considerations for immigrants and non-citizens
- Different diversion options that you may want to explore
- What happens if the alleged victim doesn't cooperate
- Powerful defensive tactics
- How our attorneys handle domestic violence cases
- Why choose the Law Offices of David S. Chesley
- Common questions
If you've been accused of a crime, you need to move ASAP. Call our criminal defense lawyers at (800) 755-5174 or get in touch online now for a free, confidential consultation.
Reviewed by Attorney David S. Chesley, October 2026. California criminal defense since June 2005, SBN 236611.
How Does Inglewood, CA, Define Domestic Violence?
California Penal Code § 13700 defines domestic violence as "abuse committed against an adult or a minor who is 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."
Family law works differently. For restraining orders, Family Code § 6211 is the key statute to keep in mind. It also includes immediate family members and grandparents. That's why an argument with a family member can lead to a domestic violence restraining order even when it isn't charged as domestic battery.
There are three main things that the prosecution must prove in order for you to be convicted:
- You willfully touched the alleged victim in a harmful or offensive way (and, for corporal injury, that the touching resulted in a "traumatic condition");
- Special defenses like self-defense do not apply; AND
- The alleged victim was your current or former spouse; current or former fiancé(e) or dating partner; someone you live with (or, for corporal injury, used to live with); or the other parent of your child.
Domestic Battery
- Statute: PC § 243(e)(1)
- What it means: Intentionally touching a current or past romantic partner in a harmful manner — regardless of injury.
- Misdemeanor or Felony: Misdemeanor
Inflicting Corporal Injury on a Spouse or Cohabitant
- Statute: PC § 273.5
- What it means: Willfully inflicting an injury on a current or former partner that results in a "traumatic condition"—examples include broken bones and concussions.
- Misdemeanor or Felony: Wobbler (can be charged either way)
The Key Distinction: Was There an Injury?
As described above, the main difference between a domestic battery charge and an inflicting corporal injury charge is injury: Domestic battery charges do not involve injuries to the alleged victim, while—as the name would imply—inflicting corporal injury on a spouse or cohabitant does involve an injury.
Charges Often Filed With Domestic Violence
Domestic battery and corporal injury are the core domestic violence charges, but prosecutors often add related violent crime charges:
- Criminal Threats (PC § 422): Scaring someone by indicating that you intend to cause them harm. A felony conviction is a strike.
- Dissuading a Witness (PC § 136.1): Taking steps to stop a person from reporting a crime, helping investigators, or testifying in court
- Damaging a Phone Line or Phone (PC §§ 591, 591.5): Cutting or disconnecting a phone line, or taking away a cell phone, such as if done in order to stop them from contacting the police.
- False Imprisonment (PC § 236): Keeping another person from exiting a location.
- Assault With a Deadly Weapon or Force Likely to Cause Great Bodily Injury (PC § 245(a)): Using a weapon, or massive force, in an attack that could seriously hurt another person.
- Stalking (PC § 646.9): Making a person afraid of you by following them and threatening them.
- Restraining Order Violations (PC § 273.6): Breaking the terms of a no-contact or related court order.
- Child Abuse (PC § 273d): Willfully inflicting cruel or excessive physical punishment or injury on a child, sometimes charged when a child is hurt during a domestic incident.
- Elder Abuse (PC § 368): Physically or emotionally causing harm to an elderly or dependent adult.
- Sexual Battery (PC § 243.4): Whether for sexual gratification, arousal, or abuse, touching another person's intimates when you were not allowed to.
- Revenge Porn (PC § 647(j)(4)): Intentionally distributing private intimate images of someone without consent, knowing it will cause them serious emotional distress.
Your Next Steps After a Inglewood, CA, Domestic Violence Accusation
If you've been arrested for or accused of domestic violence, the most important things are to stay silent, stay away from the alleged victim, and call a defense lawyer immediately:
- Plead the Fifth Ammendment.
- Exercise your sixth amendment right to an attorney.
- Request bail and/or release without bail.
- Read any protective orders carefully and follow all of the applied conditions.
- Preserve evidence: photos of your own injuries, texts, emails, call logs, doorbell or security camera video, and the names of witnesses.
- Be honest with your lawyer, and tell the full story.
- Don't contact the alleged victim, even to apologize or to ask them to drop the case. That contact can violate a protective order and lead to a separate charge for dissuading a witness. If they reach out, talk to your lawyer before responding.
Mistakes can cost you your freedom, but following these steps can protect it. Our domestic violence defense attorneys are ready for your call, day and night: (800) 755-5174.
Inglewood's urban density and proximity to Los Angeles International Airport create unique challenges in domestic violence cases, with many filings originating from disputes in apartment complexes near Century Boulevard. The Law Offices of David S. Chesley appear at the Inglewood Courthouse on Manchester Avenue, applying strategies informed by Los Angeles County's specific legal landscape.
What Happens After a Domestic Violence Arrest in Inglewood, CA?
Many people don't know what to expect after being arrested for domestic violence. Here's what typically happens after police show up in Inglewood, CA:
- Arrest: After a domestic violence call, an officer who arrives on scene will evaluate the situation and can make an arrest based on probable cause. This does not mean they have to have witnessed the alleged attack — they can make an arrest just for suspecting that an attack took place (PC § 836(d)).
- Booking: During booking, the jail will take down your basic information, collect your things, and fingerprint you.
- Emergency Protective Order: In order to protect the alleged victim, police officers have the option to contact a judge after the arrest and request an emergency protective order. These can go into effect right away, forcing you out of your home and away from the supposed victim for up to 5 court days or 7 calendar days, whichever is sooner.
- Police Questioning: Police may try to question you in custody. Plead your right to remain silent and request to speak with your lawyer.
- Bail and Release: Many domestic violence charges mandate that there is a bail hearing before you are released. Your attorney can argue for your release at that hearing.
- Filing Decision and Arraignment: While the police make an arrest, they aren't the ones that charge you. The decision on what to charge rests with the prosecutor. This will be based on the police report and any corroborating evidence. PC § 825 sets timing guidelines for arraignments in California: Outside of exceptional circumstances, the prosecution is required to formally charge you in an arraignment within 48 hours, excluding Sundays and holidays. At arraignment you'll hear the charges and enter a plea, and the judge will usually issue a criminal protective order.
- Pretrial Stage: At this point, it is time for you and your attorney to build your defense, engage in negotiations, review the evidence, and prepare for trial.
Can You Go Home After a Domestic Violence Arrest?
In many Inglewood, CA, domestic violence cases, you may not be allowed back in your home. An emergency protective order can require you to move out immediately, and the criminal protective order issued at arraignment frequently orders you to stay away from the alleged victim and the shared home for as long as the case is open. It doesn't matter if the alleged victim recants.
Violating the order, even with their consent, can result in additional criminal charges. Your attorney can ask the judge to modify the order, for example to a "peaceful contact" order that allows you to return home or co-parent as long as there's no harassment or violence.
Domestic Violence, Restraining Orders, and Custody
It's normal for a domestic violence charge in Inglewood, CA, to also result in battles related to custody and/or restraining orders. Your actions now can affect your criminal case, your child custody rights, and your restraining order. Work with an attorney who has experience in all three arenas.
Types of Restraining Orders in Domestic Violence Cases
Restraining orders (also called protective orders) come in several types:
- Emergency Protective Orders: Requested by police from an on-call judge right after an incident. No arrest is required. They last up to 5 court days or 7 calendar days, whichever comes first, giving the alleged victim time to request a longer order.
- Criminal Protective Orders: PC § 136.2 gives the judge the power to issue a restraining order against alleged offenders while their case is pending. If the case ends in a conviction, a new one can be issued for up to 10 years.
- Domestic Violence Restraining Orders (DVROs): It's difficult to fight a criminal protective order, but arguable even harder to fight a DVRO. These are filed in family court, not in criminal court, and are defined in Family Code § 6345. The key thing for you to be aware of is the initial hearing, which typically occurs about three weeks after the incident and initial filing. You may not be given notice of this order, making it even harder to fight. If granted, these orders can last up to 5 years on an initial run, and a further 5 years (or even lifetime) if renewed.
Domestic Violence Accusations and Custody Cases
It doesn't matter if you weren't convicted. Under Family Code § 3044, family court can make its own determination if a parent committed domestic violence, and issue custody findings as a result. Family court uses a wider definition of domestic violence, including harming:
- The other parent,
- The child, or
- The child's siblings.
In particular, you need to watch out for situations where a DVRO was granted — this can be the deciding factor.
The presumption can be overcome. The judge will consider:
- Whether giving that parent custody is in the child's best interest
- Completion of a batterer's intervention program
- Completion of alcohol or drug counseling, if appropriate
- Completion of a parenting class
- Compliance with probation and any protective orders
- How long ago the incident supposedly happened
Domestic Violence Penalties in Inglewood, CA
The table below shows the potential sentences for domestic violence and commonly related charges in Inglewood, CA.
| Offense | Statute | Misdemeanor / Felony | Jail / Prison Time* | Fines* |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Domestic Battery | PC § 243(e)(1) | Misdemeanor | Up to 1 year in county jail | Up to $2,000 |
| Corporal Injury on a Spouse or Cohabitant | PC § 273.5 | Wobbler | Misdemeanor: up to 1 year Felony: 2, 3, or 4 years (2, 4, or 5 years with a qualifying prior within 7 years) | Up to $6,000 (up to $10,000 with a qualifying prior) |
| Dissuading a Witness | PC § 136.1 | Wobbler (felony is a strike) | Misdemeanor: up to 1 year Felony: 16 months, 2, or 3 years (2, 3, or 4 years if aggravated) | Misdemeanor: up to $1,000 Felony: up to $10,000 |
| Criminal Threats | PC § 422 | Wobbler (felony is a strike) | Misdemeanor: up to 1 year Felony: 16 months, 2, or 3 years | Misdemeanor: up to $1,000 Felony: up to $10,000 |
| Stalking | PC § 646.9 | Wobbler | Misdemeanor: up to 1 year Felony: 16 months, 2, or 3 years (longer if a restraining order was in place or with prior convictions) | Up to $1,000 |
| Restraining Order Violation | PC § 273.6 | Misdemeanor (wobbler for certain repeat violations) | Up to 1 year | Up to $1,000 (up to $2,000 if someone was injured) |
| False Imprisonment | PC §§ 236, 237 | Wobbler | Misdemeanor: up to 1 year Felony: 16 months, 2, or 3 years | Misdemeanor: up to $1,000 Felony: up to $10,000 |
| Assault With a Deadly Weapon / Force Likely to Cause GBI | PC § 245(a) | Wobbler | Misdemeanor: up to 1 year Felony: 2, 3, or 4 years | Up to $10,000 |
| Sexual Battery | PC § 243.4 | Wobbler | Misdemeanor: up to 6 months Felony: 2, 3, or 4 years | Misdemeanor: up to $2,000 Felony: up to $10,000 |
| Revenge Porn | PC § 647(j)(4) | Misdemeanor | Up to 6 months | Up to $1,000 |
| Child Abuse | PC § 273d | Wobbler | Misdemeanor: up to 1 year Felony: 2, 4, or 6 years | Up to $6,000 |
| Elder Abuse | PC § 368(b) | Wobbler | Misdemeanor: up to 1 year Felony: 2, 3, or 4 years | Misdemeanor: up to $6,000 Felony: up to $10,000 |
*These are statutory ranges, not predictions. Prior convictions and aggravating factors can increase them. For example, causing great bodily injury in a domestic violence incident adds 3, 4, or 5 years and makes the offense a strike, and sexual battery convictions require sex offender registration. To get a full breakdown of the potential penalties in your case, talk to your Inglewood, CA, domestic violence defense lawyer.
Domestic Violence Probation
It's common for domestic violence plea deals to result in probation, rather than jail time. Mandatory probation conditions are set in PC § 1203.097:
- At least 36 months of probation
- The issuance of a restraining order in defense of the alleged victim
- Completion of a 52-week batterer's intervention program
- If you can afford it, a $500 payment to domestic violence programs
- Community service
- Loss of firearms
- No new law violations
California's 2021 law capping most probation terms at one or two years (AB 1950) does not shorten domestic violence probation, because the domestic violence probation statute sets its own length.
Collateral Consequences of a Domestic Violence Conviction
Here are of the potential collateral consequences for a domestic violence conviction in Inglewood:
- Loss of Firearm Rights: A misdemeanor domestic battery conviction brings a 10-year California firearm ban (PC § 29805) and a lifetime federal ban (18 U.S.C. § 922(g)(9)). A misdemeanor PC 273.5 conviction on or after January 1, 2019, is a lifetime ban under California law, and any felony is a lifetime ban.
- Immigration Consequences: Domestic violence convictions can lead to deportation or block a green card or citizenship. Learn more in the immigration section below.
- Custody: A conviction often leads to the full loss of child custody after a family court case.
- Long-Term Protective Orders: The court can issue a criminal protective order lasting up to 10 years, and the alleged victim may also seek a DVRO.
- Employment and Licensing: If a conviction appears in background checks, it can become a hurdle to future job applications.
- Relationships and Reputation: Your current relationship will likely be strained, and future potential partners may avoid you if they find out about your conviction.
Domestic Violence Charges and Immigration
Immigrants and non-U.S. citizens face additional challenges on top of criminal penalties. Under federal immigration law (INA § 237(a)(2)(E)), two things can make a noncitizen deportable:
- A conviction for a "crime of domestic violence" (a crime of violence against a current or former spouse, partner, co-parent or similar protected person)
- A court finding that you violated the parts of a protective order that protect against threats of violence, repeated harassment or bodily injury, even without a separate criminal conviction for the violation
Some domestic violence offenses can also be treated as crimes involving moral turpitude, which carry their own immigration consequences. The exact statute and the facts in the record of conviction matter. Federal courts have generally treated a PC 243(e)(1) domestic battery conviction as less damaging for immigration purposes than a PC 273.5 conviction, but the analysis depends on the specific case.
Don't settle for a plea deal without speaking to an experienced Inglewood, CA, immigration lawyer. This can end up as a conviction on your record, leading to immigration consequences and possibly even deportation. Our firm is prepared to help you fight this and file for cancellation of removal.
Diversion, Reductions, and Clearing Your Record
Domestic violence charges require specialized strategies to lessen the impact on your criminal record. Standard misdemeanor diversion via PC § 1001.95 is not an option, so instead, our lawyers can help you explore the following:
- Pre-Filing Intervention: Before charges are filed, your attorney can present evidence to the prosecutor and argue that the case shouldn't be filed at all, or should be filed as a lesser charge.
- Mental Health Diversion (PC § 1001.36): If a diagnosed mental health condition played a role in the alleged offense, the judge may pause the case while you complete treatment (up to 2 years for a felony or 1 year for a misdemeanor). If you complete it successfully, the charges are dismissed.
- Military Diversion (PC § 1001.80): If you are a current or past member of the United States armed forces, and were charged with a misdemeanor, military treatment court may offer a problem-solving focus, rather than a punishment focus.
- Reduction to a Misdemeanor (PC § 17(b)): A felony PC 273.5 conviction can be reduced to a misdemeanor, either at sentencing or after probation.
- Expungement (PC § 1203.4): While expungement does not perfectly restore your record, it can help with future employment applications.
What if the Alleged Victim Recants?
It's common for an alleged victim to recant, refuse to cooperate, or ask the prosecutor to drop the case. Having the alleged victim on your side is a big help, their words can still be used against you:
- Prosecutors can sometimes proceed without the alleged victim. They may try to use 911 calls, statements made to officers at the scene, body-camera video, photos, and medical records. Whether those statements can be used without live testimony is a complex constitutional question, and challenging them is one of the most important tools in a domestic violence defense.
- Your record can be examined. Due to Evidence Code § 1109, the prosecution can use evidence of prior alleged domestic violence acts (typically within 10 years) in your current case.
- They can compel your spouse to testify. A married couple ordinarily is immune to compelled testimony against the other, but California law makes an exception in domestic violence cases.
- Victims can't be held in contempt if they refuse to testify. Under Evidence Code § 1219, a domestic violence victim who refuses to testify about the abuse can't be jailed for contempt.
Be Careful: Reaching out to the alleged victim is never a good idea, especially if there is a restraining order in place. If they reach out saying that they want to recant, tell your attorney ASAP. Your attorney can lawfully inform the court that the supposed victim is recanting, challenge previous statements if brought up by the prosecution, and build a case that attacks the weaknesses in the prosecution's argument.
Defense Strategies Your Domestic Violence Attorney May Use
The defense to your criminal charges may be built on a common strategy, but it should be tailored to your unique circumstances. Illegal evidence collection can act as a valid defense in some cases. Or perhaps you can show that there was a false accusation, and you're actually innocent. Still others may be built around intent, if the alleged victim was hurt accidentally.
Here is a breakdown of some common strategies and when they are applicable:
- False Accusation: This is particularly pertinent in cases involving child custody — it's possible the accusations were made in bad faith. If the alleged victim's motives are in question, we will highlight that.
- Self-Defense or Defense of Others: Perhaps you did harm your partner, but were justified by a real, perceived threat.
- Dominant Aggressor: When both people were physically involved, the key question is who was the primary aggressor. Injuries, prior history, witness accounts, and 911 recordings can show that you were defending yourself, not the one who started it.
- Lack of Intent or Accident: Both domestic battery and corporal injury require a willful act. Accidental contact, like bumping someone while trying to leave, is not domestic violence.
- No Traumatic Condition: This defense is specific to inflicting corporal injury charges — if no injury occurred as a result of the alleged attack, the charges can be reduced or dismissed.
- Alleged Victim Recants: While the alleged victim cannot drop the criminal charges, their recantation can prove valuable as a part of your defense.
- Reasonable Doubt: Sometimes the strongest defense is showing that the prosecution's evidence doesn't prove the charge beyond a reasonable doubt.
- Alibi: When available, an alibi shows you could not have committed the alleged offense.
- Constitutional Violations: When a procedural error occurred that goes against your rights, our team will argue for evidence to be thrown out and charges to be dropped.
How the Law Offices of David S. Chesley Defends Domestic Violence Charges
When you call the Law Offices of David S. Chesley, our domestic violence defense team gets to work right away. Here's how the process works:
- Free Case Review: Before building your defense, we offer a free review of the charges against you.
- Bail and Protective Orders: We will fight for pretrial release in your case, and if there is a protective order against you, we'll fight for its reduction so that you can go back home.
- Guidance During Questioning: If police want to question you, we'll handle that contact and advise you on how to respond.
- Defense Investigation: Between discovery, 911 recordings, body-camera video, medical records and our own investigation, we'll learn every detail of your case.
- Strategy Development: Your defense should be specific to your circumstances, not a cookie-cutter tactic.
- Pretrial Motions: While the trial is pending, we'll file motions that protect your rights and fight against misconduct.
- Plea Negotiations: Our firm can talk to the Inglewood district attorney and explore plea deal options.
- Trial Representation: Most cases end in a plea bargain, but you have the right to a trial — if you exercise it, we'll go to court with you.
- Sentencing Advocacy and Appeals: We don't stop after the trial — if convicted, we'll advocate for a lower sentence and help you explore appeal options.
Why Choose the Law Offices of David S. Chesley for Domestic Violence Defense in Inglewood, CA
The Law Offices of David S. Chesley has defended Inglewood, CA, residents against domestic violence charges since 2005. When you need a defense attorney in Inglewood, we're ready to take your case.
When you work with us, you're getting:
- Former prosecutors on our team that can draw on their experience on the other side of the courtroom.
- Criminal defense and immigration under one roof, so noncitizen clients get advice on both before any plea.
- Emergency availability, because domestic violence arrests rarely happen during business hours.
- Reputation for delivering. Our former clients can attest to our dedication to protecting their rights.
In a previous case, our client was accused of committing assault with a deadly weapon and domestic violence for hitting the alleged victim with a car. We examined the evidence of the injury, argued with the district attorney, and were able to secure a full dismissal of charges for our client.
Past performance does not predict future results.
Inglewood, CA Domestic Violence FAQs
Will I go to jail for a first-time domestic violence offense in Inglewood, CA?
Not automatically. If your case is charged as a misdemeanor, there's a good chance you can secure probation instead of jail time. Jail is still possible, and a conviction usually comes with mandatory domestic violence probation terms: a minimum of 36 months of probation, a 52-week batterer's intervention program, and a protective order. Always discuss your case with an attorney to find realistic plea deal options.
Is a domestic violence conviction in Inglewood, CA, a felony?
Whether or not a domestic violence conviction is a felony depends on the exact charge. Prosecutors in Inglewood have discretion to charge PC 273.5 as a misdemeanor or a felony, mostly due to circumstance and criminal record. PC 243(e)(1) is always a misdemeanor, though. Related charges such as criminal threats, stalking, and dissuading a witness are also wobblers.
What is the difference between domestic battery and corporal injury?
Domestic battery (PC 243(e)(1)) includes an intentional, nonconsensual form of physical contact that hurts or offends a current or former romantic partner. It does not matter whether or not an injury was caused. Corporal injury (PC 273.5) is different in that the touching resulted in a traumatic injury, such as a bruise. It is also different in that it can be charged as a felony, at the prosecutor's discretion.
Can the victim drop domestic violence charges in Inglewood, CA?
No. Even if the alleged victim recants, only the prosecutor can drop the charges. In Inglewood, CA, that is the local District Attorney or, for many misdemeanors, possibly a city prosecutor. It's always helpful to have the victim recant, as that can give your defense attorney a way to challenge the prosecution's case.
Can I be arrested for domestic violence if there is no visible injury?
Yes. Police only need probable cause to believe a crime occurred, and domestic battery does not require any injury. California law also allows officers to make a warrantless arrest for misdemeanor domestic violence even if they did not see the incident happen..
Am I allowed to go home after release from a domestic violence arrest?
Often not right away. Police commonly obtain an emergency protective order, and the criminal court usually issues a criminal protective order at arraignment that can require you to stay away from the alleged victim and the shared home. Violating either order is a separate crime, even if the alleged victim invites you back. Your attorney can ask the judge to modify the order, for example, to allow peaceful contact.
Will a domestic violence charge affect my immigration status?
It can. But it depends greatly on the specifics of your case and the statute in question. Federal law says that any noncitizen convicted of a domestic violence crime or a protection order violation is eligible for deportation (8 U.S. Code § 1227). A full defensive strategy should include considerations for immigration impacts, and your criminal defense attorney should be someone who can represent you in immigration court as well.
What diversion options are available for a domestic violence charge in Inglewood, CA?
In California, many misdemeanor charges qualify for diversion (where instead of going to jail, the accused individual fulfils special requirements before having the case dismissed) under PC 1001.95, but domestic violence is an exception. These types of charges are specifically excluded from PC 1001.95. That said, depending on your background and circumstances, you might have other options. For example, PC 1001.80 provides current and former U.S. military personnel a diversion option for certain offenses (including some domestic violence charges), if they are suffering from specific, often service-related, challenges. These can be great options for eligible individuals, who can avoid a domestic violence conviction on their record.
Can a domestic violence conviction be expunged in Inglewood, CA?
Typically, yes. After you complete probation, you can generally petition to dismiss the conviction under PC 1203.4, and a felony PC 273.5 conviction may also be reduced to a misdemeanor under PC 17(b). Expungement is a popular option because it can reduce your prior conviction's impact on your future career and housing. It does not restore firearm rights, however.
Will a domestic violence conviction take away my gun rights?
Most likely, you will lose your firearm rights. A misdemeanor domestic battery conviction carries a 10-year California firearm ban and a lifetime federal ban. A misdemeanor PC 273.5 conviction on or after January 1, 2019, carries a lifetime ban under California law, and any felony conviction is a lifetime ban. Domestic violence restraining orders and protective orders also require you to give up your firearms while they are in effect.
How long does a domestic violence case take in Inglewood, CA?
You should expect your case to take at least a few months, possibly over a year to resolve. If you are in custody, the initial arraignment and bail phase typically occurs within 48 hours (excepting Sundays and holidays). Once you've been formally charged, your defense attorney will work with you to review the evidence, build a strategy, file motions, and negotiate with the prosecution. This takes up the bulk of the time your case is processing, and trials can extend them further.
Can a felony corporal injury charge be reduced to a misdemeanor?
Yes. Because a corporal injury charge a wobbler, the state can charge it as either a misdemeanor or a felony. Your defense attorney can also advocate for reducing the charge, both with the prosecutor and with the judge.
What should I do if I'm served with a restraining order while my criminal case is pending?
Obey every condition of the order, or you could end up facing additional charges. Most domestic violence cases include restraining orders against the alleged offender, and even if the alleged victim invites you over, you can face consequences for breaking the conditions. Your defense lawyer can fight for the order to be lifted or modified to be a "peaceful contact" order.
Reach Out to Your Inglewood, CA, Domestic Violence Lawyer Right Away
Get help from a law firm with extensive experience fighting against clients' domestic violence charges. Get help from the Law Offices of David S. Chesley.
The Law Offices of David S. Chesley also offers the following legal services in Inglewood, CA:
- Sex Crimes Lawyer
- Immigration Lawyer
- Drug Charges Lawyer
- Theft Lawyer
- Violent Crimes Lawyer
- DUI Lawyer
- Criminal Defense Lawyer
Speak with us at (800) 755-5174 or use our contact form to schedule a private consultation with a domestic violence lawyer in Inglewood, CA.
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