Modesto, CA Domestic Violence Lawyers

Fighting for Your Best Outcome in Stanislaus, Sacramento & Fresno Counties

Acts of domestic violence are serious crimes in California. Courts aggressively prosecute and punish these crimes to keep families safe. However, these are crimes that can be committed not only against spouses, children, and parents but anyone living in your household and romantic or dating partners. Thus, you can be accused of domestic violence whether you are married, divorced, share a child as a never-married parent, or even as a former dating partner. These crimes can include victims in same-sex relationships as well as those in traditional relationships. 

Forkner Orlando & Echevarria defends clients against all crimes that fall under the heading of “domestic violence” under California law. Led by a Criminal Law Specialist, our team is well-versed in this area of criminal defense. We also know that allegations of domestic violence can be based on false statements, exaggerations, and misrepresentation by the accuser to gain leverage in divorce or child custody matters or as simple revenge against the accused. No matter the circumstances, we are here to thoroughly investigate your charges, build an effective defense, and work aggressively to protect your rights and achieve a favorable result. 

Your initial consultation about your case is free. Contact Forkner Orlando & Echevarria to speak with a Modesto, CA domestic violence attorney at (209) 753-4009 today. Hablamos español.

Domestic Violence Crimes in California

California crimes that fall under the domestic violence umbrella include:

• Domestic battery
• Corporal injury to a spouse or inhabitant
• Criminal threats
• Stalking
• Damage to a phone line
• Child abuse, neglect, or endangerment
• Elder abuse
• Aggravated trespassing
• Revenge porn
• Posting harmful material online

These crimes can be charged as misdemeanors or felonies, depending on the circumstances. However, corporal injury to a spousal or inhabitant is generally always charged as a felony. Some of these crimes are considered “wobblers” because they can be charged either way. 

Penalties for Domestic Violence Crimes

Penalties for the above crimes can include the following:

• Jail or prison time
• Heavy fines
• Restitution to the alleged victim
• Loss of your right to own/possess a gun
• Participation in a batterer’s program
• Restraining orders (also called protective orders)
• A lengthy probation period
• A permanent criminal record that will show up on a background check

Restraining orders can result in forcing you to vacate the residence you share with the alleged victim, order you to stop any further abuse, order you to stay away from the victim as well as any children you share, ban you from making any contact with the victim whether directly or through another party, give the victim temporary custody rights of children, and include other orders/restrictions that the judge deems necessary. These orders can be issued on a temporary as well as a more permanent basis. 

Fight Back with Experienced Legal Representation

A domestic violence charge can have devastating consequences to your life and future which makes it extremely important to ensure that you have competent and aggressive legal help. Our firm is backed by decades of experience resolving cases both in and out of court. If you are facing charges, it is essential that you put a proven law firm on your side – our firm knows how to fight for optimum results.