First Offense Domestic Violence in California

Have you been charged with domestic violence for the first time in Redwood City, California? First offense domestic violence in California is a serious crime that can severely limit your rights for the foreseeable future. However, people are also commonly falsely accused of this crime, and there is likely still time to protect your rights.

Ahmed & Sukaram, Attorneys at Law, is one of the most well-regarded criminal defense law firms in the area. Our Redwood City first offense domestic violence lawyers have 30 years of combined experience, and we’ve won thousands of criminal cases since we opened our doors in 2005.

To get started, Contact us today at (650) 299-0500 or contact us online. We offer a free, no-obligation consultation to review your case.

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How Ahmed & Sukaram, Attorneys at Law, Can Help With Your First Offense Domestic Violence Case in Redwood City

Being arrested for domestic violence can be a disorienting, terrifying experience. It might feel like the entire world is against you and that you have nowhere to turn for help. While it is more than understandable to feel this way, it is important to remember that you are innocent until proven guilty. The prosecution must prove every element of your criminal offense beyond a reasonable doubt – that gives an experienced criminal defense lawyer a lot of room to work with.

The Redwood City domestic violence lawyers with Ahmed & Sukaram, Attorneys at Law, know California criminal law inside and out. We know how the prosecution likes to operate, and we won’t let them take advantage of you and violate your rights. Our legal team includes a nationally-published Criminal defense author and a California State Bar Certified Specialist in criminal law. Nothing catches us off-guard when it comes to providing effective criminal defense legal representation. To that end, we can help with your case by:

Doing the necessary research and investigative work into your case, as well as the prosecution’s evidence against you
Negotiate to have your charges reduced or even dismissed if either is a possibility
Help you to understand what your legal options and rights are throughout your case
Listen to your side of the story and treat you like family during the entire process

Call us to set up your completely free, no-pressure consultation. We can begin mounting your defense today.

California First Offense Domestic Violence Law

Domestic violence is defined under California Penal Code Section 13700 PC as “abuse committed against an adult or 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.”

Abuse is defined as “ intentionally or recklessly causing or attempting to cause bodily injury, or placing another person in reasonable apprehension of imminent serious bodily injury.”

There are two primary types of domestic violence charges in California:

Corporal Injury

Corporal injury is defined in Section 273.5 PC. Under this statute, it is illegal to “willfully inflict a corporal injury” upon a spouse, cohabitant, or another person defined above that results in a “traumatic condition.”

In this context, corporal injury essentially means a physical injury, and a traumatic condition is some sort of injury or wound (either internal or external) caused by physical force. This is the more serious of the two charges and can be charged as a felony.

Domestic Battery

Domestic battery is covered in Section 243 PC. This law makes it a crime to inflict violence upon a person who falls under one of the categories defined under Section 13700 PC. Unlike the corporal injury charge, this offense does not require a physical injury. Instead, merely inflicting force upon another person can lead to an arrest. This offense is charged as a misdemeanor in most (but not all) cases.

What Are the Penalties for a First Offense Domestic Violence Conviction in Redwood City, CA?

The penalties for first offense domestic violence in Redwood City, California, vary depending on the facts of the case. They also depend on the exact charges that you are facing.

Each of the charges described above is considered a “wobbler” offense, meaning the prosecution can choose to pursue them as either felonies or misdemeanors based on the circumstances involved in the situation. The types of penalties that can result from a conviction include:

Fines
Jail or prison time (though significant prison time is unlikely for a first offense conviction)
Counseling
Probation
Community service

In addition, you could face collateral consequences if you are convicted of domestic violence, such as:

A lasting criminal record, which can make it harder to obtain employment or find housing
Immigration issues, if relevant
Loss of certain rights, such as gun ownership

Domestic violence convictions, in particular, can also create issues related to parental rights and other family-law-related issues. The bottom line is that these charges need to be taken seriously, as the consequences of a conviction can be heavily impactful on your freedom going forward.

While you may receive a lesser charge or lighter sentence because it is your first offense, that outcome does not come automatically. You’ll want to have trusted criminal defense lawyers to help with your case and put forth your best defenses.

Schedule a Free Case Review With a Trusted Redwood City First Offense Domestic Violence Attorney

All is not lost if you’ve been arrested for first offense domestic violence in Redwood City, California. It is normal to feel like you’ve run out of options and that your life will never return to the way it was before. That said, it’s likely that there are still legal options available to you, and Ahmed & Sukaram, Attorneys at Law, can assist. Reach out to us today to schedule your free case evaluation.