Prosecutors will work hard to secure a conviction if you are accused of an act of domestic violence (DV) in California. In some cases, the prosecution will use past DV accusations as evidence in a pending case. This means past DV charges can work against you if you face subsequent allegations.
In some situations, a past DV accusation will be taken into consideration even if it did not result in a conviction. Find out more about how California handles DV accusations right here.
Domestic Violence Charges and Your Criminal Record
Domestic violence represents a criminal act here in California. There are several different charges used to prosecute DV throughout the state of California. Evidence of an arrest will stay on your record, even if the charges are later dismissed or do not lead to a conviction.
Any evidence of a past DV arrest or domestic violence crimes charges can count against you in a pending case. The prosecution can use past DV accusations to imply that someone has a record of engaging in violence against intimate partners. Many prosecutors use past criminal records when building a case.
For a free legal consultation, call (310) 896-2723
Other Results of a Past Domestic Violence Charge
Domestic violence convictions in California can lead to a number of serious repercussions. Sometimes, the court will order individuals to:
- Pay fines
- Spend time behind bars
- Remain on probation
These are the basic penalties for a DV conviction in Los Angeles. There are a number of other possible penalties, including:
Child Custody Restrictions
In many cases, the court will look at an individual’s criminal record when making choices about child custody in a divorce. Individuals with past DV convictions on their record often have a harder time getting custody of their children.
Gun Ownership Restrictions
DV convictions in Los Angeles generally result in restrictions on firearm ownership. Individuals may face a 10-year firearm ownership ban for most DV convictions. However, individuals convicted of felony DV or a federal DV will face a lifetime ban on firearm ownership.
Other Factors in Pending DV Cases in Los Angeles
Prosecutors look into past instances of DV when handling criminal charges in Los Angeles. However, this is not the only factor they will consider when working towards a conviction. Prosecutors will also:
- Try to secure a confession
- Look into the facts of the present charges
- Draw on police investigations
It’s recommended that you get legal help immediately if you are accused of DV, even if you do not have a past record involving DV charges. A violent crimes lawyer in Los Angeles can help you understand the charges you’re facing and work to protect you.
Take steps to get legal assistance right now by reaching out to the Simmrin Law Group. It’s simple to reach us for help. Just call (310) 896-2723 to get started right away.
Charges that Count as Past Instances of DV in Los Angeles
Past instances of DV can impact a current criminal case. Therefore, it’s useful to consider the charges that California uses to prosecute acts of domestic violence. There is not a single charge used to handle all DV accusations.
Instead, individuals can face charges for things like:
- Corporal Injury to a spouse
- Domestic battery
- Child abuse, child endangerment, or child neglect
- Elder abuse
Be aware that these are only examples of some of the charges used to handle DV charges in our state. There are other accusations – such as stalking – that also qualify as DV in some situations. You can ask a domestic violence attorney in Los Angeles about specific accusations.
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Handle Pending DV Cases in Los Angeles
A lawyer can help if you are accused of DV and you already have DV charges or convictions on your criminal record. Your lawyer can work to build a strong defense for you by assessing the specific DV charges you are facing.
Allow a member of our team to work to get your DV charges dismissed or reduced through a plea bargain. We’ll discuss all aspects of your defense after you contact us.
Find Out if the Prosecution Uses Past Instances of DV in Los Angeles
Prosecutors can use past DV convictions in a pending case here in Los Angeles. Fortunately, you can get help handling these charges by working with a domestic violence lawyer in Los Angeles. Just contact the Simmrin Law Group to get started.
You can reach us easily if you call (310) 896-2723 or fill out our online contact form. We’re prepared to review all of your legal options after you contact us for a free consultation.
Call or text (310) 896-2723 or complete a Free Case Evaluation form