Domestic violence, in California applies to all crimes that are committed against one’s intimate partner. Intimate partners are both heterosexual and homosexual partners who are married, divorced, dating, formerly dating, living together or have children together. A defendant who is in custody and charged with most DV crimes will have more restrictive release conditions than a person who was charged with something other than an intimate partner related crime. In addition, when charged with a crime of domestic abuse, the defendant faces certain mandatory terms of probation that are imposed on all persons who are convicted of intimate partner abuse charges. These terms include the booking process, fines, classes and/or D.V. counseling, being restrained by a criminal protective order and a host of other penalties, depending on the specific crime. Clearly, it helps to hire a qualified criminal defense lawyer immediately upon an intimate partner’s criminal accusation who can help a defendant navigate the criminal courts system with ease, understanding and, above all, success.

The unparalleled attorneys at The Kavinoky Law Firm specialize in intimate partner abuse crimes and are located throughout the state of California to conveniently serve anyone in need. They receive ongoing training and education in this specific and technical area of the law and are well-equipped to handle any domestic violence case that comes their way.

Domestic abuse cases, although based on different crimes, have certain issues that are common in almost all cases. DV-related crimes have specific evidentiary issues that are only applicable to these types of cases. For example, in most criminal cases, the prosecuting attorney is not permitted to introduce evidence of the defendant’s prior criminal conduct. In an intimate partner abuse case, however, he or she will readily do so, which may lead a jury to conclude that if a defendant acted in a certain manner in the past, he or she was likely to do so again. Another example is with respect to the admissibility of hearsay, which is a statement that was made out of court that is later offered in court for its truth. Hearsay, under most circumstances, is inadmissible as evidence in a criminal trial. However, when a defendant committed a crime against his or her intimate partner, hearsay will be admitted and can be devastating to the defense.

Another reason to hire a defense lawyer who has experience with California’s domestic violence laws is because there are witness issues that frequently arise in these types of trials. Due to the very nature of intimate partner relationships, many D.V. crimes are based on highly charged, emotional incidents that, more often than not, occur in private outside the presence of witnesses. Such being the case, it is crucial to have an attorney who excels in witness examination and cross-examination to make sure that discrepancies in testimony and any false allegations are revealed. On that note, false accusations are, unfortunately, common in intimate partner abuse crimes because, as domestic violence statistics reveal, many times both partners are abused and abusive and will do anything they can to exert power over the other, even if it means filing a false police report out of anger, jealousy or revenge. Keeping the jury in mind, a skilled domestic violence attorney knows how to gently examine a witness when appropriate and when it is perfectly acceptable to take the gloves off and attack.

An experienced California domestic violence attorney will also be familiar with recanting victims and Battered Person’s Syndrome (more commonly called Battered Women’s Syndrome) and the difficult challenges they pose for the defense. A defense attorney without this special knowledge will be at a severe disadvantage if faced with either during a trial.

The consequences facing a person accused of domestic violence are severe and possibly life-altering. One’s reputation, family and freedom are too important to trust to an inexperienced attorney. To contact the attorneys at The Kavinoky Law Firm who specialize in California domestic violence law, click here for a free consultation.

The Incident

California’s domestic violence laws include a variety of offenses that apply to all intimate partners. Intimate partners include both heterosexual and same-sex couples who are married, divorced, cohabitating, dating and who were dating. An intimate partner abuse charge usually begins as a harmless situation that turns out of control and results in an emotional, highly charged incident. The accused is often left feeling very frustrated, either as a result of also being abused or because the accuser is portrayed as blameless. After the arrest, there are several steps that a defendant should take to ensure that a judge and/or jury hear his or her side of the story.

Hiring an attorney

A California domestic violence conviction is extremely serious. To help avoid the many severe consequences that such a charge carries, it is imperative to contact a skilled defense attorney as soon after the arrest as possible to allow the attorney to analyze evidence and question witnesses while the incident is still fresh. An experienced attorney from The Kavinoky Law Firm examines each case and works with the individual to devise the best possible defense.

The first step that the lawyer will take is to try to get the arrested individual out of jail as quickly as possible. A skilled attorney will help guide the accused through the release process whether it involves posting bail, reducing bail or effectively demonstrating to the judge why the defendant should be released without having to post any bail at all. In addition to the obvious benefit of regaining one’s freedom, there are several other significant advantages to defending a case while out of custody, including slowing down the criminal process. Oftentimes, memories fade, witnesses recant and the strength of the prosecution’s evidence lessen over time. An aggressive attorney will note these discrepancies and pit them against the fresh evidence and witness accounts that he or she previously gathered to help highlight the inconsistencies in the case against the defendant.

Keep a diary

As soon as the incident is reported, it is imperative that the accused begins keeping a detailed diary of all the events that led to the incident, the details about the incident itself and about everything that happened after the incident up until the police arrived. Note taking is critical because most domestic abuse charges involve “he said, she said” allegations and it is often the one who clearly remembers and can articulate the events surrounding the incident who is believed. Once written, the defendant should then turn the diary over to his or her lawyer to ensure its safe-keeping.

The investigation

An experienced California defense lawyer may want to work with a private investigator to help gather all the pertinent facts. Private investigators are often former law enforcement officers who know the criminal system inside and out and know how to effectively question witnesses and uncover facts that are essential to the defense case. The investigator submits his or her findings in a report directly to the attorney, helping the attorney to more fully develop the defense strategy.

Gathering evidence

The attorney and investigator will diligently search for and successfully obtain all records, reports and photographs that are related to the accused’s case. This includes any medical reports for the defendant or the accuser, any pictures that were taken by either party or by the police of any physical injury or property damage and any other evidence deemed relevant by the attorney as it relates to the specific charges. Once all the evidence is collected, the skilled defense attorney can develop the most comprehensive and effective strategy to ensure that the defendant’s side of the story is not only heard but also believed.

When arrested for a California domestic violence charge, the defendant faces life-altering consequences, as his or her family, career and freedom are all jeopardized. Contact a highly reputable and qualified defense attorney from The Kavinoky Law Firm as soon as possible to secure the best defense available. Click here for a free consultation.

Domestic battery, which is sometimes called “spousal abuse” or “spousal battery,” is a domestic violence offense that applies to intimate partners in California. Intimate partners can be of the opposite gender or same sex, and may be married, divorced, living together, have children in common, or be dating or were formerly dating.

Under California law, domestic battery is an offense known as a “wobbler,” meaning that it can be charged as either a misdemeanor or a felony depending on the severity of the individual case. Misdemeanor battery carries a maximum penalty of a one-year jail sentence and a $2,000 fine. However, if serious bodily injury, such as broken bones, loss of consciousness or a concussion occurs, the battery will likely be charged as a felony which carries a maximum of four years in state prison.

Although the penalties just described list the maximum amount of prison time and the highest fine that a first-time offender faces, it is not a complete list of the penalties that ultimately face the accused. Furthermore, a prior battery conviction will likely invoke an even stiffer sentence.

If the defendant is placed on probation (which is usually the case), it will remain in effect for at least three years. There are certain mandatory terms of probation with respect to any California intimate partner abuse crime and include the booking process if the defendant wasn’t booked upon arrest, issuance of a Criminal Protective Order against the defendant, the offender’s participation in a batterer’s class, and an additional fine payable to specific domestic violence funds.

An individual convicted of domestic battery who also has prior battery convictions will serve a mandatory jail sentence of at least 48 hours in addition to any imprisonment ordered in the pending case. This is another reason why it is so important for an accused (especially an accused who has a prior battery conviction) to retain legal counsel who has experience dealing with California domestic abuse cases. Without a competent attorney, a defendant will definitely serve the mandatory time in jail upon a second conviction. However, a skilled defense attorney will aggressively defend his or her client by arguing that imprisoning the defendant does not serve the best interests of justice. He or she further knows what facts and circumstances will help convince the judge accordingly.

A conviction for domestic battery may also bring professional licensing restrictions. Under California law, a licensing board may suspend or revoke a professional license if the license-holder has been convicted of a crime, if the crime is substantially related to the qualifications, functions, or duties of the business or profession for which the license was issued. This means that a conviction could potentially end an individual’s career.

Finally, an individual may not only be charged criminally for domestic battery, but may be sued in civil court for the abuse as well. In a civil court, a person who is found liable for committing this wrong is subject to additional heavy fines and a Civil Protective Order but cannot be sentenced to jail or prison.

With such devastating consequences, it is imperative that an individual who has been arrested on a battery charge hires a qualified criminal defense attorney who is familiar with all of the defenses that apply to this crime. The attorneys from The Kavinoky Law Firm have successfully defended countless individuals who were facing intimate partner abuse charges. The lawyers at The Kavinoky Law Firm receive ongoing education and training in this highly complex and technical area of the law, which is directly responsible for their outstanding results. When things are at their worst, the attorneys at The Kavinoky Law Firm are at their best! Click here for a free consultation and for the best representation.

Firearm restrictions in domestic violence cases

In California, domestic violence laws apply to all intimate partners, including both heterosexual and homosexual persons who are married or divorced, living together, have children together, and who are or were dating. When the police are dispatched to a domestic abuse call, they are usually under obligation to temporarily remove any firearms or other deadly weapons from the home or from the scene.

When an offender is arrested for committing battery, sexual battery, intentional infliction of injury, criminal threats, intimidation, the violation of a protective order, or stalking against his or her intimate partner, the obligation to remove any and all deadly weapons applies. In addition, if the accuser obtains a restraining order against the accused, the accused cannot own, possess, purchase, receive or attempt to purchase or receive a firearm while the order is in effect. In fact, possession of a firearm under these circumstances is a crime in and of itself, punishable as a federal offense.

If the police do not take the firearms from the accused’s home, he or she must voluntarily surrender all firearms within 24 hours of being served with a restraining order. “Surrendering firearms” means either selling them to a licensed gun dealer or leaving them with local law enforcement officials (who will likely charge storage fees). In addition, the accused will be required to file a receipt with the court showing that his or her firearms were surrendered to a local law enforcement agency or sold to a licensed gun dealer within 72 hours after receiving the order. Ignoring this mandate or disposing of the firearms illegally will only invite additional criminal charges.

If owning a firearm is necessary as part of the defendant’s job and his or her employer is unable to temporarily assign the individual to another position, there is a possibility (although generally unlikely) that the order may be modified to allow the defendant to carry his or her firearm at work. Without that modification, an accused may lose his or her job. Contacting an experienced attorney as soon as possible after an arrest (and not trying to handle everything on his or her own) allows a defendant a much better chance of favorably resolving these types of issues.

In addition to denying one’s Constitutional right to bear arms, the confiscation of one’s firearms draws the implication that, in an intimate partner abuse situation, the accused is actually considered guilty until proven innocent – the complete opposite of the very foundation on which our criminal justice system was built! This is just one of the many reasons why it is imperative that a defendant hire a qualified criminal defense lawyer immediately after being arrested on a domestic violence charge.

After the defendant’s firearms have been seized or surrendered, it may be possible to get them back if he or she is subsequently found innocent of the charges or if any protective orders have been removed. The defendant’s attorney can help file an application with the Department of Justice to retrieve the firearms as quickly as possible. It should be noted that knowingly omitting required information or furnishing false information in connection with the application is a separate crime, punishable as a misdemeanor.

There is no reason to go at it alone! The experienced and knowledgeable attorneys at The Kavinoky Law Firm have helped countless individuals successfully defend California domestic violence charges as well as the additional restrictions that usually accompany those charges. Click here for a free consultation and for the best representation.

Recanting Victims and the Violation of a Protective Order

Recanting victims aren’t uncommon in cases of violation of a protective order and other California domestic violence offenses that apply to intimate partners. The term “intimate partners” applies to every type of couple – they may be straight or gay and can be married, divorced, living together, have children in common, or be dating currently or have dated in the past.

Protective orders are issued by courts in California domestic abuse cases to prohibit an offender from engaging in specific acts of abuse, re-entering his or her own home or even behaving in a specified way. A violation of protective order charge is a misdemeanor punishable by a maximum of one year in jail and a $1,000 fine. If the violation results in physical injury to the alleged victim, the offender will serve mandatory jail time of at least 30 days and the fine may rise to $2,000. California courts may even punish an offender for violating an order in California that was issued in another state.

A violation of a protective order charge can be filed against an individual even if the prosecution has no physical evidence, which means it would be easy for an alleged “victim” (the protected party) to charge his or her partner with this crime with little or no evidence. Many times an individual will do this out of revenge, anger, or another motive and may later decide to tell the truth. However, once the police are involved, it is too late to take the allegation back, as only the prosecutor and/or judge can decide to drop the charges. When these are the facts, it is imperative for the accused to hire a skilled criminal defense lawyer from The Kavinoky Law Firm.

If the protected party chooses of his or her own free will that calling the police was a mistake for any reason, it is best for both partners to speak with an attorney to devise a strategy. Many times the accuser thinks that “recanting” (which means to take back or deny) the original story or not cooperating with the police or prosecution will help the defendant. Unfortunately, that is incorrect. In fact, in an intimate partner abuse case, the prosecution expects an alleged victim to recant and knows how to proceed under these circumstances. A genuine recanting victim can be extremely harmful to the defendant if not first guided by an attorney.

When the protected party recants, two major issues arise. The first is that evidence that may otherwise have been inadmissible during the trial will be admissible, and the second issue is that a “recanting victim” gives the prosecution a great argument against the defendant. Beginning with the first issue, when the protected party recants his or her story, the prosecution plays for the jury a recording of the call that he or she placed to the police. The prosecutor will also admit into evidence any statements that the protected party made to the police during the initial investigation. Because these statements were made in the heat of the moment and possibly out of revenge or another motive, these statements can be devastating to the defense. Looking at the second issue, when the protected party recants, the prosecutor usually brings in an expert witness who testifies that the individual is recanting because he or she has either been threatened by the accused into doing so or that he or she is afraid of what further abuse might take place if he or she doesn’t recant. The expert will further explain that recanting is part of the domestic abuse “cycle of abuse” and that the protected party likely suffers from “battered person’s syndrome”.

When an intimate partner chooses to recant his or her allegation, a highly qualified defense attorney from The Kavinoky Law Firm can help both parties navigate through the system with knowledge and compassion. A skilled defense lawyer can outline an effective defense strategy during a free consultation.

Consequences of Conviction for a Domestic Violence Charge

Typically, domestic violence charges will consist of violations of Penal Codes §§ 273.5 and/or 242 and 243(e). However, there are a variety of charges that fall under the category of domestic violence. The consequences of each crime are different. If you have been charged with any domestic violence offense(s), please contact a criminal defense attorney today to determine your best defenses.

Infliction of Injury. California Penal Code §273.5. If you willfully inflict any injury, no matter how minor, upon the body of an intimate partner, you can be charged with a felony. If convicted, you will face up to four years in prison and/or a fine of $6,000. If you were convicted of a domestic violence charge within seven years of this conviction, you will be guilty of either a misdemeanor or a felony. As a result, you face up to five years in state prison and or a fine of up to $10,000.

Battery. California Penal Codes §§242, 243(e)(1). According to California law, “a battery is any willful and unlawful use of force or violence upon the person of another.” If you are found guilty of this misdemeanor, you will be subject to a $2,000 fine and/or up on one year in the county jail.

Sexual Battery. California Penal Code §243.4. If you touch an intimate part of another person against the will of the person and the touching is for the purpose of sexual arousal, you are guilty of sexual battery. This crime is a wobbler, meaning that you could be charged with a misdemeanor or a felony; and you may face up to four years in state prison and a fine of up to $10,000.

Violation of Protective Order. California Penal Code §273.6. If you intentionally violate a protective order of the court, you can be charged with a misdemeanor. You could be punished with a fine of up to $1,000 and/or imprisonment in the county jail for one year. If this violation of a protective order results in physical injury, you will be punished by a fine of up to $2,000 and/or a jail sentence for up on one year.

Intimidating an Intimate Partner or Witness. California Penal Code §136.1. If you prevent or dissuade or attempt to prevent or dissuade your partner or any witness from attending or giving testimony at trial or any court proceeding, or if you try to dissuade or prevent someone from making a report of victimization or seeking the arrest of someone in connection with that victimization, your actions can result in a felony or misdemeanor charge.

Where these acts are accompanied by force or by an express or implied threat of force or violence or where the act is in furtherance of a conspiracy or for pecuniary gain, you can be charged with a felony punished by up to four years in state prison. It is not a defense for this crime that no one was physically injured or actually intimidated.

Criminal Threats. California Penal Code §422. You can be charged with a crime if you threaten to commit a crime that will result in death or great bodily injury, whether it’s made verbally, in writing or by means of an electronic communication device even if there’s no intent to actually carry out the act. The only requirement for this crime is that a reasonable person is fearful for his or her own safety. A criminal threat is a wobbler, meaning that you could be convicted of a misdemeanor or a felony.

Stalking. California Penal Code §646.9. If you willfully, maliciously and repeatedly follow or harass or make a credible threat toward another person, you can be charged with stalking. Stalking can occur even if you do not have, nor ever had, a relationship with the other person. This crime is a wobbler, which means that you may be convicted of a felony or a misdemeanor.

You will be charged with a felony if you stalk someone while there is a protective order in place. The punishment for this felony is up to four years in state prison. Additionally, if this is your second stalking conviction and your first stalking conviction was a felony, you can be charged with a felony stalking count and you may be sentenced to five years in prison. As if the prison sentence isn’t bad enough, a felony stalking conviction can haunt you for the rest of your life: The court may order you to register as a sex offender.

Expunging a Domestic Violence Conviction.

If you’ve already been convicted of a domestic violence offense, there are things that can be done to positively impact your criminal record. Expungement of a domestic violence conviction, just like expungement of other criminal offenses, is possible. In any case in which probation has been granted, whether a misdemeanor or a felony domestic violence case, it may be possible to withdraw the guilty or no contest plea, or a verdict of guilty, and replace with a not guilty plea and dismiss the complaint. This is pursuant to California Penal Code section 1203.4. In felony cases where a state prison term was imposed, the only relief available is either through a Certificate of Rehabilitation and Pardon, or a direct application to the Governor for a Governor’s Pardon. There are also serious considerations relating to firearms rights for anyone convicted of a domestic violence crime. Getting a record restored following a domestic violence conviction, or any criminal conviction, is a sensitive undertaking, and it is vital to confer with a skilled criminal defense lawyer who understands and appreciates the legal complexities of expungements associated with domestic violence charges.

No matter what charges you are currently facing, a skilled criminal defense attorney can help. There are defenses for every criminal charge. In most cases, these domestic violence charges are based on one person’s word. A domestic violence criminal defense lawyer understands that there are two sides to every story. This lawyer can help you gather evidence and proof for your side of the story. Do not think that these charges are hopeless. Speak with an experienced criminal defense attorney today to learn how you can save your reputation and keep your record clean.

Infliction of Injury Penalties

Infliction of injury, also known as spousal abuse, is a California domestic violence offense. Infliction of injury can be charged against any kind of intimate partner – either married, divorced, or living together. The individuals can be former cohabitants or have children together. They can be heterosexual or same-sex partnerships. If an individual inflicts an injury, even a minor one, upon the body of an intimate partner, he or she can face felony charges punishable by up to four years in prison and a fine of up to $6,000.

Although the penalty just described lists the maximum amount of prison time and the highest fine that a first-time offender faces, it is not a complete list of the penalties that ultimately face the accused. Furthermore, aggravating factors and/or prior domestic abuse convictions will likely invoke an even stiffer sentence.

If the defendant is placed on probation (which is usually the case), he or she remains on probation for at least three years. There are certain mandatory terms of probation with respect to any California intimate partner abuse crime and include the booking process if the defendant wasn’t booked upon arrest, issuance of a Criminal Protective Order against the defendant, the offender’s participation in a batterer’s class and an additional fine payable to specific domestic violence funds.

An individual convicted of infliction of injury who also has any prior domestic violence convictions within seven years of his or her current offense faces an additional year in county jail or state prison and an additional $4,000 in fines above the maximum sentence allowed for a first-time offender. This means that a repeat domestic abuse offender can face a total of up to five years in prison and a $10,000 fine in addition to his or her mandatory terms of probation.

If there are aggravating factors, which are facts that surround the charged incident that make the incident seem even worse, the judge will likely issue the maximum sentence allowed by law. Examples of aggravating factors include a child witnessing the abuse or a victim suffering significant bodily injury. In an infliction of injury case, if the victim in fact suffers serious bodily injury as the result of the defendant’s force, the defendant may be subject to an additional three to five years in state prison, which means that he or she faces incarceration for up to nine years.

A conviction for infliction of injury may also bring professional licensing restrictions. Under California law, a licensing board may suspend or revoke a professional license if the license-holder has been convicted of a crime, if the crime is substantially related to the qualifications, functions, or duties of the business or profession for which the license was issued. This means that a conviction could potentially end an individual’s career.

Finally, an individual may not only be charged criminally for infliction of injury, but may be sued in civil court for the abuse as well. In a civil court, a person who is found liable for committing this wrong is subject to additional heavy fines and a Civil Protective Order but cannot be sentenced to jail or prison.

With such devastating consequences, it is imperative that an individual who has been arrested on an infliction of injury charge hires a qualified criminal defense attorney who is familiar with all of the defenses that apply to this charge. The attorneys from The Kavinoky Law Firm have successfully defended countless individuals who were facing intimate partner abuse charges. They receive ongoing education and training in this highly complex and technical area of the law, which is directly responsible for their outstanding results. When things are at their worst, the attorneys at The Kavinoky Law Firm are at their best! Click here for a free consultation and for the best representation.

Domestic Violence Temporary Restraining Orders

A Temporary Restraining Order is one type of protective order available to victims of domestic violence. In California, domestic abuse laws apply to intimate partners. Intimate partners include both heterosexual and homosexual persons who are married, divorced, cohabiting, have children in common and who are or were dating. An individual who is being abused by an intimate partner may apply for a Temporary Restraining Order to aid in his or her protection against the abuser.

Temporary Restraining Orders (commonly called TROs) are designed to protect a victim of intimate partner abuse from further harm. Although a TRO falls under the category of domestic violence, the individual seeking the protection doesn’t need to be a victim of actual violence. In addition to protecting against violence, a Temporary Restraining Order can prohibit the restrained person from harassing, stalking, threatening, telephoning, mailing or otherwise coming within a certain distance of the protected person. It is an order made by the court that states that the named person must refrain from particular acts and must stay away from particular people and places. A victim may request a TRO “ex-parte,” which means that his or her partner does not need to be present. The order is usually granted the same day that it is requested and lasts until the “Order To Show Cause” hearing. An Order To Show Cause hearing takes place about two to three weeks after the Temporary Restraining Order is issued and allows both parties to explain why the order should be extended or revoked.

Once the court has heard from both parties, it may decide that a more Permanent Protective Order is appropriate. Depending on the evidence presented at the hearing, the judge may prohibit the restrained person from engaging in specified acts and/or from being in designated places. This permanent order can last for years and may be indefinitely extended as circumstances warrant.

A true victim of intimate partner violence requires a Temporary Restraining Order to help ensure his or her safety and the safety of his or her children. Contacting an attorney to aid in securing this order should be the victim’s first mission. A knowledgeable attorney can make sure the application is in proper order and that the reasons for requesting the order are articulated in such a way that the judge will understand the imminent need for the victim’s protection.

Unfortunately, there are cases where a TRO is sought against an individual for frivolous or unlawful reasons. Many times, the so-called “victims” of domestic violence are in fact abusing their partners and obtaining an order against that partner is simply another form of that abuse. When that is the case, it is the restrained individual who should immediately hire an attorney. The criminal defense lawyers at The Kavinoky Law Firm know that intimate partner abuse is always two-sided and they will help ensure that the judge and jury not only hear the accused’s side but believe it as well.

Whether an individual is the victim or the alleged abuser, hiring an attorney who is experienced in California domestic violence law can help either side get his or her desired outcome at the Order To Show Cause hearing. The attorneys at The Kavinoky Law Firm are familiar with every aspect of a domestic abuse case and take the time to explain each step of the process with their clients. Their reputation for treating their clients with compassion, discretion and respect is exceeded only by their success rate. Click here for a free consultation.

Recanting Victims and Sexual Battery Case

Sexual battery is a California domestic violence crime that applies to intimate partners. Intimate partners may be heterosexual or homosexual and married, divorced, living together, have children in common, dating or formerly dating. If a person touches an intimate part of his or her intimate partner against that person’s will for the purpose of sexual arousal, sexual gratification or sexual abuse, he or she may be charged with sexual battery.

“Touching” can consist of any physical contact, however minor, whether it occurs directly, through the clothing of the accused, or through the clothing of the accuser. Sexual battery can be charged even against a partner involved in an ongoing, intimate relationship. Depending on the circumstances, the crime can be charged as a misdemeanor or a felony with penalties of up to one-year in jail or up to four years in prison and fines of up to $10,000.

A sexual battery charge can be filed against an individual even if he or she caused no injury to the victim, making it easy for an alleged “victim” to charge his or her partner with this crime with little or no evidence. Many times an individual will do this out of revenge, anger, or jealousy. He or she may later decide to tell the truth, but once the police are involved, it is too late to take the allegation back, as only the prosecutor and/or judge can decide to drop the charges at that point. When this type of situation arises, it is imperative for the accused to hire a skilled criminal defense lawyer from the Kavinoky Law Firm.

If the accuser chooses of his or her own free will that calling the police was a mistake for any reason, it is best for both partners to speak with an attorney who will help decide the best course of action. Many times the victim thinks that “recanting” (which means to take back or deny) the original story or not cooperating with the police or prosecution will help the defendant. Unfortunately, that is incorrect. In fact, in an intimate partner abuse case, the prosecution usually expects that a victim will recant and knows exactly how to proceed under this type of situation. A genuine recanting victim can be extremely harmful to the defendant if not first guided by an attorney.

When a victim recants, there are two major issues that arise. The first is that evidence that may otherwise have been inadmissible during the trial will now likely be admissible, and the second issue is that a “recanting victim” gives the prosecution a great argument against the defendant. Beginning with the first issue, when a victim recants his or her story, the prosecution plays for the jury a recording of the call that the victim placed to the police. The prosecutor will also admit into evidence any statements that the victim made to the police during the initial investigation. Because these statements were made in the heat of the moment and possibly out of revenge or stemming from some other motive, these statements can be devastating to the defense. Looking at the second issue, when a victim recants, the prosecutor usually brings in an expert witness who testifies that the victim is recanting because he or she has either been threatened by the “abuser” into doing so or that he or she is afraid of what further abuse might take place if he or she doesn’t recant. The expert will further explain that recanting is part of the “cycle of abuse” and that the victim likely suffers from “battered person’s syndrome.”

When an intimate partner chooses to recant his or her allegation, a highly qualified defense attorney from the Kavinoky Law Firm can help both parties navigate through the system with knowledge and compassion. The attorney will help develop the most effective defense strategy to successfully put an end to a terrible situation that simply spiraled out of control.

In California, when an individual threatens and willfully follows or harasses his or her intimate partner with the intent of placing that partner in fear, he or she will likely be charged with stalking as a domestic violence crime. Domestic violence crimes, in California, apply to all crimes that are committed against one’s intimate partner. Intimate partners are both heterosexual and homosexual persons who are married, divorced, living together, have children together, dating or formerly dating. While the crime of stalking isn’t necessarily a domestic abuse crime, if committed against an intimate partner, it will be prosecuted as such, subjecting the accused to a variety of severe penalties, including up to one year in county jail and/or up to a $1,000 fine or up to one year in state prison, depending on whether the crime was charged as a misdemeanor or as a felony and up to five years in prison if there were either aggravating circumstances that surrounded the alleged incidents or if the defendant has prior convictions for stalking or other specific offenses.

One of the ways that a defendant may be cleared from a D.V. stalking charge or convicted of a DV stalking charge is through DNA evidence. DNA evidence is playing a larger role than ever before throughout this country in acquitting and convicting persons charged with a crime. This is because scientists have developed ways of extracting DNA from sources that used to be too difficult or too contaminated to use.

DNA (deoxyribonucleic acid) is a type of scientific, physical evidence that, if and when it exists, can have a tremendous impact on the outcome of an intimate partner violence stalking case. An individual’s DNA includes information about everything from his or her eye color to any genetic defects. It is found in virtually every cell in a person’s body and is commonly retrieved from one’s blood, bone, hair, saliva or skin tissue. An individual’s DNA is particular to that person and remains constant throughout his or her life. The reason that this type of evidence is so conclusive is because, with the exception of identical twins, no two people share the same DNA. As a result, if someone’s DNA can be collected from a crime scene or from some other evidence that is linked to a crime, it may exclude a person from having been at the scene or from having participated in a crime, or it may directly link an accused to the crime.

DNA evidence is only going to be used more frequently in criminal trials as time goes on, which is why is it so important to have a criminal defense lawyer who understands the science involved in this type of evidence and who has experience defending against it. The skilled attorneys at the Kavinoky Law Firm receive ongoing education and training in intimate partner abuse cases and on the many different evidentiary issues, such as DNA evidence, that commonly arise in these types of cases. They have a great deal of experience defending individuals against stalking charges and have the knowledge and resources to make sure that the most comprehensive defense possible is devised for each individual’s case. To speak to one of our lawyers today, please click here for a free consultation.