Domestic violence is one of the most serious charges you can face in Torrance. This is because it has wide-reaching implications and collateral effects, even for a misdemeanor. If convicted, you should be facing a firearms ban, jail time, thousands of dollars in fines, and a difficult-to-escape criminal record. To protect your freedom, you need an experienced Torrance, CA, criminal defense attorney.
The two most common domestic violence charges in Torrance are domestic battery and corporal injury on a spouse or cohabitant. But these aren't like regular assault or battery charges — even if it's charged as a misdemeanor, you are up against serious consequences like a lifetime firearms ban.
Our domestic violence defense team is ready to help with your case. We offer free case reviews, and our phone lines are available 24/7.
3 Key Steps to Take After a Domestic Violence Arrest:
- Invoke your right to remain silent.
- Reach out to a lawyer (you can reach us by phone around the clock): (800) 755-5174.
- Stay in line with any pre-trial release conditions.
On this page:
- Charges that count as domestic violence in Torrance
- Important steps to take if you've been accused of domestic violence in Torrance, CA
- What to expect if you're arrested for domestic violence
- How restraining orders and custody cases overlap with the criminal case
- Possible formal and collateral consequences of a domestic violence conviction
- The intersection between domestic violence charges and immigration law
- Different diversion options that you may want to explore
- What happens if the alleged victim won't testify
- Different ways our lawyers may defend your case
- How our defense process works
- Why you should work with us as your domestic violence lawyers
- Common questions
If you've been accused of a crime, act fast. Contact our criminal defense lawyers at (800) 755-5174 or get in touch online at any time for a no-strings case review.
Reviewed by Attorney David S. Chesley, October 2026. California criminal defense since June 2005, SBN 236611.
What Does a Domestic Violence Accusation Mean in Torrance, CA?
For criminal law, California Penal Code § 13700 determines what alleged victims count for domestic violence in California. This mainly includes people with whom you have a current or former romantic relationship.
Family law uses a broader definition. For restraining orders, Family Code § 6211 sets rules and standards. In addition to current and former romantic partners, it includes close family members. This means that a domestic violence restraining order has different standards than a domestic violence criminal conviction.
There are three main elements the prosecution will attempt to prove in your Torrance, CA, domestic violence case:
- You willfully touched the alleged victim in a harmful or offensive way (and, if charged under PC § 273.5, that the touching caused a "traumatic condition");
- There were no extenuating circumstances like self-defense; 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: Touching a current or former spouse, dating partner, or cohabitant, or a coparent, in a hurtful way (including offensively — it doesn't matter whether or not any injury was caused.
- Misdemeanor or Felony: Misdemeanor
Inflicting Corporal Injury on a Spouse or Cohabitant
- Statute: PC § 273.5
- What it means: Intentionally causing a "traumatic condition" to a current or former romantic partner—examples include sprains and internal bleeding.
- Misdemeanor or Felony: Wobbler (can be charged either way)
The Key Distinction: Was There an Injury?
Whether or not there was an injury is the difference in what you get charged with: No injury means domestic battery charges, while any physical trauma means a corporal injury charge. In terms of penalties, the maximum jail sentence for domestic battery is one year, while a felony corporal injury charge can result in up to 5 years (though this can be extended depending on your record).
Charges Often Filed Alongside Domestic Violence
In addition to a domestic violence charge, you could face any of the below related violent crime charges:
- Criminal Threats (PC § 422): Scaring someone by indicating that you intend to cause them harm. If convicted as a felony, this falls under California's three strikes law.
- Dissuading a Witness (PC § 136.1): Any form of action taken to prevent someone from reporting a crime or helping the state's case
- Damaging a Phone Line or Phone (PC §§ 591, 591.5): Cutting or disconnecting a phone line, or breaking a cell phone to keep someone from calling for help.
- False Imprisonment (PC § 236): Restricting someone's ability to leave a location, and/or unlawfully restraining them against their will.
- Assault With a Deadly Weapon or Force Likely to Cause Great Bodily Injury (PC § 245(a)): An assault with an object or with force likely to cause serious injury.
- Stalking (PC § 646.9): Making a person afraid of you by following them and threatening them.
- Restraining Order Violations (PC § 273.6): Acting in violation of a restraining order issued by the court.
- Child Abuse (PC § 273d): Physically hurting a child, either completely unjustified or through excessive punishment.
- Elder Abuse (PC § 368): Abusing or neglecting someone 65 or older, or a dependent adult, such as an elderly parent.
- Sexual Battery (PC § 243.4): Touching an intimate part of another person against their will for sexual arousal, gratification, or abuse.
- Revenge Porn (PC § 647(j)(4)): Posting or sharing pornographic images of another person without their permission, in order to cause stress.
Your Next Steps After a Torrance, 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:
- Exercise your right to remain silent. That includes with friends, family and on social media.
- Exercise your sixth amendment right to an attorney.
- Do what you can to secure pretrial release.
- 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.
- Don't hold back when speaking with your defense attorney — they need to know 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.
It's critically important for you to make the right decisions now. Call us today, whatever charges you're facing: (800) 755-5174.
Torrance's suburban neighborhoods and proximity to the 405 freeway create distinct pressures that can lead to domestic violence allegations near the Del Amo Mall area. The Law Offices of David S. Chesley appear at the Torrance Courthouse on Maple Avenue, applying strategies tailored to Los Angeles County's specific legal landscape and local law enforcement practices.
What Happens After a Domestic Violence Arrest in Torrance, CA?
It's normal to be scared or overwhelmed after police take you into custody. Here's what typically happens after police show up in Torrance, CA:
- Arrest: Officers only need probable cause. In Torrance, CA, they can arrest for misdemeanor domestic violence without a warrant even if they didn't see the incident (PC § 836(d)). When both people claim they were attacked, officers are directed to identify the "dominant aggressor" rather than arrest both (PC § 13701).
- Booking: This is standard for any arrest — your fingerprints and photograph are taken, then you'll be sent to jail.
- 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: There aren't always interrogations, but you should be prepared for one. While you should be respectful, you should not answer any questions without a lawyer present.
- Bail and Release: Bail may be available as a way for you to secure pretrial release. Many domestic violence charges mandate a bail hearing where your defense attorney can fight for your release, possibly even on your own recognizance.
- Filing Decision and Arraignment: While you're in custody, the police report is sent to the district attorney's office for review. In the City of Torrance, CA, domestic violence charges are typically prosecuted by the local district attorney. 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. Arraignments are sometimes combined with bail hearings, in which case you'll be informed of the charges, asked to make a plea, informed of your bail requirements, and possibly issued a new restraining order.
- Pretrial Stage: Your attorney reviews discovery, investigates, files motions, and negotiates with the prosecutor while preparing for trial.
Are You Allowed to Go Home After a Domestic Violence Arrest?
Depending on release conditions, you could be restricted from going home. Protective orders are commonly used against people alleged to have committed domestic violence, keeping the supposed offender away from the supposed victim and their home. Even in cases where the alleged victim reaches out to you, it's often illegal for you to respond or go to meet them.
Breaking a protective order, whatever the circumstances, can ultimately hurt your case. 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
A domestic violence accusation in Torrance, CA, isn't just a criminal charge. A single incident can lead to a criminal case, a restraining order case, and a custody fight at the same time, and what you say in one can be used in the others. Your defense attorney should coordinate all three.
Types of Restraining Orders in Domestic Violence Cases
There are three main types of Restraining orders that you need to be aware of:
- 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
A domestic violence accusation can become the hinge of a child custody case. The custody battle can run in parallel with the criminal case, so you could lose custody even before you reach an outcome on the related criminal charges. At the same time, these cases will affect each other — be sure to work with an attorney who knows how to navigate both criminal court and family court to beat the presumption of abuse.
These cases are challenging, but there are things you can do to position yourself for success. The judge will consider:
- The best interest of the child in question
- Completion of a batterer's intervention program
- Completion of alcohol or drug counseling, as applicable
- Completion of a parenting class
- Compliance with probation and any protective orders
- Whether there have been any further acts of domestic violence
The good news is that, even if custody is revoked, the accused parent will likely still have visitation rights, with restrictions. Your lawyer can help you file countermotions to regain custody and/or lift those restrictions.
Domestic Violence Penalties in Torrance, CA
Without your Torrance, CA, domestic violence defense attorney, you are facing serious charges. The table below lists what you could face after a conviction of domestic battery, corporal injury, and related offenses in California.
| 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. Always consult with your Torrance, CA, domestic violence attorney to understand the possible penalties for your case.
Domestic Violence Probation
Many domestic violence convictions end in probation instead of jail, but PC § 1203.097 sets mandatory terms, including:
- 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
- A minimum $500 payment to domestic violence programs (the court can reduce or waive it if you can't pay)
- Community service
- Loss of firearms
- No new law violations
You may have heard of a California law restricting probation to a maximum of two years (AB 1950). Under current law, this does not apply to domestic violence cases.
Collateral Consequences of a Domestic Violence Conviction
In addition to jail time and fines, your Torrance, CA, domestic violence conviction can lead to the following:
- Loss of Gun Rights: A conviction of either domestic battery or corporal injury leads to a loss of firearms rights. Misdemeanor domestic battery convictions are a permanent federal ban and a 10-year California ban. Misdemeanor corporal injury convictions on or after January 1, 2019, and any felony convictions result in a lifetime ban.
- Immigration Consequences: You could face removal, denial of a green card, and/or rejection of citizenship applications. Learn more in the immigration section below.
- Custody: Family court will not look favorably upon your conviction.
- Long-Term Protective Orders: You could be fighting and/or restricted by criminal protective orders and DVROs for years, or the rest of your life.
- Employment and Licensing: If a conviction appears in background checks, it can become a hurdle to future job applications.
- Relationships and Reputation: If people find out about your conviction, they may not want to associate with you.
Domestic Violence Charges and Immigration
Even just an accusation of domestic violence can be seriously damaging for non-U.S. citizens, if a restraining order was issued. Under federal immigration law (INA § 237(a)(2)(E)), two things can make a noncitizen deportable:
- Any conviction that fits the federal criteria for domestic violence
- Violention of a DVRO or similar protection order, if found by the court
Some domestic violence offenses can also be treated as crimes involving moral turpitude, which carry their own immigration consequences. While some charges are typically treated more lightly than others (for example, domestic battery often results in less serious consequences than inflicting corporal injury), this is not guaranteed, and can depend on the specific facts surrounding your case.
Because our firm practices both criminal defense and immigration law, our criminal defense team and Torrance, CA, immigration attorneys can work together to pursue a resolution that protects your status where possible. Never accept a plea in a domestic violence case without immigration advice. If you're already facing removal, learn about cancellation of removal.
Diversion, Reductions, and Clearing Your Record
Diversion options for domestic violence look different than with standard California criminal charges. PC § 1001.95 offers standard misdemeanor conversion, but this does not apply to domestic violence cases. Instead, you can explore the following:
- Pre-Filing Intervention: If you call an attorney early enough, they may be able to get ahead of the arraignment and show the district attorney evidence which compels them to not even file charges in the first place.
- Mental Health Diversion (PC § 1001.36): While not available to everyone, mental health diversion can be a powerful option resulting in the dismissal of all charges. Typically, your criminal case is put on hold for up to 1 year (for misdemeanors) or 2 years (for felonies) while you undergo treatment.
- 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): After you complete probation, you can generally petition to dismiss the conviction. Expungement helps with most private employers, but it doesn't restore gun rights and doesn't erase the conviction for immigration purposes.
What if the Alleged Victim Doesn't Want to Testify?
It's common for an alleged victim to recant, refuse to cooperate, or ask the prosecutor to drop the case. When this happens, it is a major benefit to the defense, you're still facing an uphill battle:
- The state can move forward with the case regardless of the alleged victim's wishes. 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 history may be used against you. California Evidence Code § 1109 sets special conditions which allow prosecutors to use evidence from old domestic violence cases in the current case (generally going back up to 10 years).
- Your spouse may be forced to testify against you. A married couple ordinarily is immune to compelled testimony against the other, but California law makes an exception in domestic violence cases.
Neither you nor anyone acting for you should ask the alleged victim to stay away from court, which can be charged as dissuading a witness. Your attorney can lawfully collect the recantation from the victim, challenge previous statements if brought up by the prosecution, and use inconsistencies in the evidence to your advantage.
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. Some cases are best defended by challenging how the evidence was gathered. Others hinge on actual innocence, such as a false accusation. And others admit that harm was caused, but attack the intent aspect.
Here are defense strategies our domestic violence attorneys may use in your case:
- False Accusation: This is particularly pertinent in cases involving child custody — it's possible the accusations were made in bad faith. Your defense attorney should consider the potential motives of the accusor.
- Self-Defense or Defense of Others: If you were acting to protect yourself, that can be a valid defense against domestic violence charges.
- Dominant Aggressor: If there was a fight involving both parties, the case can come down to "who started it?" Your lawyer can look for evidence that you were the real victim.
- Lack of Intent or Accident: PC § 243(e)(1) and PC § 273.5 both require an intent aspect for a conviction. One defense option to explore is whether or not the injury was caused by accident.
- No Traumatic Condition: If you're charged with inflicting corporal injury on a spouse or cohabitant, a possible defense is that no injury occurred. This isn't as likely to result in a full dropping of charges, but can result in the reduction to misdemeanor domestic battery.
- Alleged Victim Recants: The alleged victim can't drop the charges, but a recantation can weaken the prosecution's case and support a dismissal or a better plea offer.
- Reasonable Doubt: Sometimes the strongest defense is showing that the prosecution's evidence doesn't prove the charge beyond a reasonable doubt.
- Alibi: A solid alibi is an invaluable defensive tool — it will present an alternative narrative protecting you against the supposed wrongdoing.
- 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 in Torrance, CA
Our team is available 24/7 to get started on your case. When you call, here's what you can expect:
- Confidential Consult: Before building your defense, we offer a free review of the charges against you.
- Bail and Protective Orders: If you are not offered release by the court, we'll argue for lower bail and challenge any protective orders.
- Interview Management: If police want to question you, we'll handle that contact and advise you on how to respond.
- Defense Investigation: Our team will listen to your story and look for any additional evidence.
- Strategy Development: After reviewing the evidence, we'll build a defense strategy tailored to your case.
- Pretrial Motions: Motions give us a chance to challenge evidence and push for charges to be reduced or dismissed.
- Plea Negotiations: Our firm can talk to the Torrance district attorney and explore plea deal options.
- Trial Representation: If you don't get a plea deal that you want to accept, we'll go to trial and argue your case in front of a judge and jury.
- Sentencing Advocacy and Appeals: If your case ends in a conviction, we can advocate for a lighter sentence and help with appeals, reductions, and expungement.
Why Choose the Law Offices of David S. Chesley for Domestic Violence Defense in Torrance, CA
Our firm has over 50 years of combined courtroom experience. We've been judges, prosecutors, and police officers, and we know where common weaknesses are in the state's cases.
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.
- Local courtroom experience from a team that services counties across all of California.
- Criminal defense and immigration under one roof, because noncitizens deserve special attention to their unique circumstances.
- Available 24/7, 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 violating a domestic violence restraining order for visiting his wife's residence when he was not supposed to. We negotiated a plea that kept him out of jail.
Past performance does not predict future results.
Torrance, CA Domestic Violence FAQs
Will I go to jail for a first-time domestic violence offense in Torrance, CA?
It's possible to go to jail for a first-time offense, but not guaranteed. If your case is charged as a misdemeanor, there's a good chance you can secure probation instead of jail time. Some of the conditions of domestic violence probation are: a minimum of 36 months of probation, a 52-week batterer's intervention program, and a restraining order. To maximize your chances of avoiding jail, be sure to work with an experienced defense attorney.
Does California consider domestic violence a felony?
It can be. Domestic battery under PC 243(e)(1) is always a misdemeanor. Corporal injury on a spouse or cohabitant under PC 273.5 is a "wobbler," which means the prosecutor can file it as a misdemeanor or a felony depending on the injury, your record, and the facts. Related charges such as criminal threats, stalking, and dissuading a witness can also be charged as either a misdemeanor or a felony.
What is the difference between domestic battery and corporal injury?
Domestic battery (PC 243(e)(1)) only requires a willful, harmful or offensive touching of a current or former intimate partner. No injury is needed. Corporal injury (PC 273.5) requires that the touching caused a "traumatic condition," meaning any wound or injury, however minor, including injury from strangulation. Because of that injury requirement, corporal injury is the more serious charge and can be filed as a felony.
Can the victim drop domestic violence charges in Torrance, CA?
No. Once charges are filed, only the prosecutor can drop the charges. While it's helpful to have the alleged victim change their mind, this is only a part of a successful defense.
Can police arrest me for domestic violence if nobody is hurt?
Yes. For police to make an arrest, they only need probable cause — not to witness a crime occurring or observe an injury. In fact, they are required to make an arrest in domestic violence cases if there is probable cause.
Can I go home after 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. According to 8 U.S. Code § 1227, noncitizens convicted of domestic violence, stalking, child abuse, and/or violation of a restraining order are eligible for deportation. 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.
Can I get diversion for a domestic violence charge in Torrance, 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. However, there are other diversion tracks that you might be able to make use of. One example is PC 1001.36 mental health diversion — if you suffer from a mental health condition like PTSD or bipolar disorder, and that significantly contributed to the commission of the offense, you might be eligible for this diversion track. 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 Torrance, 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). An expungement does not restore firearm rights, and it does not erase the conviction for immigration purposes.
Can I lose my firearm rights for a misdemeanor domestic violence conviction?
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. On top of these bans for a conviction, if you are under a DVRO or other protective order, you will also likely face a gun ban for the duration.
How long does a domestic violence case take in Torrance, CA?
Anywhere from a few months to more than a year. If you've just been accused and arrested, you must generally be arraigned within 48 hours, not counting 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 domestic violence charge be reduced to a misdemeanor in Torrance?
Yes. Because PC 273.5 is a wobbler, you could be charged with either a misdemeanor or a felony. Your domestic violence lawyer can advocate for a reduction to a misdemeanor at many stages: During a pre-filing investigation conference, plea negotiations, at sentencing, or even after you've completed your probation requirements.
What 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. Protective orders are a standard part of domestic violence cases, and if you break any of the conditions, this could be used against you in court. Your defense lawyer can fight for the order to be lifted or modified to be a "peaceful contact" order.
The Law Offices of David S. Chesley: Experienced Domestic Violence Defense in Torrance, CA
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.
We also aid with the following legal services in Torrance, CA:
- Sex Crimes Lawyer
- Immigration Lawyer
- Drug Charges Lawyer
- Theft Lawyer
- Violent Crimes Lawyer
- DUI Lawyer
- Criminal Defense Lawyer
Speak with a lawyer at (800) 755-5174 or use our contact form to set up a free consult with a domestic violence lawyer in Torrance, CA.
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