Domestic Violence Statistics in Redwood City

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Domestic Violence Statistics in Redwood City

Domestic Violence Statistics in Redwood City

Domestic violence is a terrible problem that plagues California. In an average year, law enforcement agencies in the state receive over 160,000 domestic violence calls. Most of these calls result in some kind of official action by the police, ranging from separating those involved to arresting one or both of them.

While most of these arrests have some basis in fact, the police do not always have time or patience to get the full story. As a result, people can face domestic violence charges based on false accusations, incomplete investigations, and incorrect assumptions by the police.

If you’ve been charged with domestic abuse in Redwood City, CA, contact Ahmed & Sukaram, Attorneys at Law for a free initial consultation. Our Redwood City domestic violence lawyers will listen to your story and discuss potential legal defenses. Call us at (650) 299-0500.

How Our Criminal Defense Lawyers Can Help You With a Domestic Violence Charge in Redwood City, CA

How Our Criminal Defense Lawyers Can Help You With a Domestic Violence Charge in Redwood City, CA

Ahmed & Sukaram, Attorneys at Law was established in 2005 to provide justice for those in Redwood City, California, who have been accused of crimes. Our Redwood City criminal defense lawyers have successfully resolved over 3,000 cases.

Each client who hires our law firm receives:

  • A free consultation with a compassionate criminal defense attorney who listens to your side of the story and outlines your possible defenses
  • A legal team with over 30 years of combined experience fighting for the rights of those facing criminal charges
  • A track record of success at trial, with over 50 favorable verdicts
  • Thorough legal representation from start to finish

A criminal conviction can alter the course of your life. Contact Ahmed & Sukaram, Attorneys at Law for a free consultation to discuss your domestic violence charges and the options for defending against them.

How Often Does Domestic Violence Happen in California?

Domestic violence statistics collected in California include all calls to the police when someone in the victim’s family or home:

  • Intentionally or recklessly injures them
  • Attempts to injure them
  • Causes them to feel reasonable fear of an imminent serious injury

The people who can commit domestic violence include anyone related to the victim. This can include a victim’s:

  • Spouse or ex-spouse
  • Cohabitant, including roommate, or ex-cohabitant
  • Co-parent
  • Current or former fiance
  • Someone with a current or former dating relationship

Domestic violence calls in California peaked in the early 2000s at over 198,000 calls before declining. In 2013, the number of calls fell to its lowest point in the past 20 years, with only 151,000 calls. But the trend then reversed. After 2013, the number of calls rose steadily before stabilizing at over 160,000 calls per year.

These statistics come with two big caveats. First, the total number of calls includes calls by the same victim.

For example, suppose the police responded to an incident in February and a different incident in August at the same house involving the same spouses. The statistics will record two calls because they involve different incidents. Thus, the total number of calls does not correspond to the total number of victims or perpetrators.

Second, the total number of calls does not include any unreported incidents. On the other side of the country, the NYPD estimates that only half of all domestic violence incidents get reported. Based on this estimate, as many as 320,000 incidents of domestic violence could happen every year in California.

Domestic Violence Case Statistics in Redwood City, CA

California’s Department of Justice releases county-level data for domestic violence calls. In San Mateo County, home to Redwood City, police agencies received 1,973 domestic violence calls in 2021. 

According to these statistics, domestic violence statistics in Redwood City and the rest of the county included:

  • 79.9% of calls involving no weapons
  • 0.2% involving a firearm
  • 1.6% involving a knife
  • 4.4% involving another type of weapon
  • 13.9% alleging that the perpetrator used their hands or feet as a weapon to attack the victim

About 7.8% of cases involved an allegation of strangulation or suffocation. 

The remaining domestic battery cases involved:

  • Hitting
  • Kicking
  • Slapping
  • Grabbing
  • Pushing
  • Throwing objects

There is no way to know how many of these 1,973 calls resulted in arrests or charges. California’s court system releases the total number of criminal charges filed, but it does not categorize them according to the type of case.

Thus, court statistics show that prosecutors in San Mateo County filed 2,555 felony criminal cases and 5,775 non-traffic misdemeanor criminal cases. The statistics do not show how many of these cases were for domestic violence as opposed to theft, drug possession, homicide, or other criminal violations.

The court system does provide information about the number of applications for domestic violence restraining orders. Not every domestic violence victim files an application for a restraining order. And judges do not require charges or arrests to issue a restraining order.

But the number does approximate the number of victims and perpetrators of domestic violence in Redwood City and the surrounding towns. In 2021, domestic violence victims in San Mateo County filed 621 petitions for domestic violence restraining orders.

Schedule a Free Consultation With Our Redwood City Domestic Violence Attorneys

Whether you were wrongfully arrested as a perpetrator or you were falsely accused of domestic violence, you need a Redwood City criminal defense attorney who can advocate for your side of the story. 

Contact Ahmed & Sukaram, Attorneys at Law for a free case evaluation to discuss your criminal charges and how we can help resolve your case.

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