Facing a domestic violence charge in Los Angeles puts your freedom, your record, and your family at risk. At William S. Kroger Criminal Defense Attorney At Law, our Los Angeles domestic violence lawyers defend people accused of corporal injury, domestic battery, and related charges across California.
Our defense team brings more than 75 years of combined criminal defense experience to every case. Call (323) 655-5700 for a free case evaluation.
Why Choose William S. Kroger for Domestic Violence Cases in Los Angeles?
A domestic violence accusation often comes from a single heated moment, yet the consequences can follow you for years. Our team has handled more than 5,000 criminal cases throughout California, and we know how Los Angeles prosecutors build these cases.
We investigate the evidence, challenge weak proof, and push for the best outcome available.
Many of our clients fear losing their job, their gun rights, or custody of their children. We explain each stage of the criminal process clearly, so you always know what comes next. For Spanish-speaking clients, we provide interpreters so nothing gets lost in translation.
Our firm has earned recognition from Super Lawyers and the American Institute of Criminal Defense Attorneys. We have also secured dismissals in serious felony matters. That record reflects how seriously we treat every charge, from a first-time misdemeanor to a felony with prison exposure.
What to Know About Domestic Violence Charges in California
California prosecutes domestic violence under several statutes, but two charges form the core of most cases. The difference between them often comes down to one fact: Whether the alleged victim suffered a visible or internal injury.
Penal Code 273.5, corporal injury to a spouse or cohabitant, applies when an intimate partner suffers a traumatic condition such as a bruise, cut, or sprain. This charge is a “wobbler,” meaning prosecutors can file it as a misdemeanor or a felony.
Penal Code 243(e)(1), domestic battery, covers unwanted force or violence against an intimate partner, even when no injury results. This offense is always a misdemeanor.
An intimate partner can be a current or former spouse, a cohabitant, a fiancé, a co-parent, or someone you dated. Prosecutors often have discretion over which charge to file when the evidence is borderline. The presence or absence of a documented injury can shape the direction of your entire case.
Domestic Violence Charges We Defend in Los Angeles
We defend the full range of domestic violence charges in Los Angeles County courts. Each case receives a defense strategy built around its specific facts.
Corporal Injury to a Spouse or Cohabitant (PC 273.5)
This felony-eligible charge applies when an intimate partner suffers a traumatic condition from willful force. A felony conviction can carry two, three, or four years in state prison. We challenge how the injury occurred and whether it resulted from a lawful act of self-defense.
Domestic Battery (PC 243(e)(1))
Domestic battery covers offensive or harmful contact with an intimate partner, even without an injury. It is always a misdemeanor, punishable by up to one year in county jail and a fine. We examine whether the contact was willful or simply an accident.
Criminal Threats (PC 422)
A statement that threatens serious harm can lead to a criminal threats charge, even when no physical contact occurs. Prosecutors must prove the threat caused sustained fear. We scrutinize the words used, the surrounding context, and whether genuine fear existed.
Child Endangerment (PC 273a)
When children are present during an alleged domestic dispute, prosecutors may add a child endangerment charge. This offense can apply even without direct harm to a child. We work to separate emotional accusations from the facts the prosecution can actually prove.
Violating a Protective Order (PC 273.6)
Contacting a protected person after a court issues a protective order can bring a new misdemeanor charge. A violation can also jeopardize your release and your plea negotiations. We help clients understand the order terms while we fight the underlying case.
Stalking (PC 646.9)
Repeated following, harassing, or threatening that places someone in fear can lead to a stalking charge. This offense is a wobbler that can carry felony exposure. We challenge whether the conduct meets the legal definition and whether credible fear existed.
Penalties for a Domestic Violence Conviction in California
A domestic violence conviction reaches far beyond jail time. The penalties depend on the charge, the severity of any injury, and your prior record.
A misdemeanor conviction can bring up to one year in county jail and a fine. A felony corporal injury conviction can carry two, three, or four years in state prison, plus a fine of up to $6,000. Great bodily injury can add a sentencing enhancement of several more years.
When a court grants probation, California law requires strict conditions. Most domestic violence probation lasts at least 36 months and includes a 52-week batterer’s intervention program. Missing sessions can trigger a probation violation and jail time.
The collateral consequences are often the hardest to absorb. A conviction can cost you the right to own a firearm, sometimes for life. It can also affect a professional license, immigration status, and child custody.
Criminal Protective Orders in Domestic Violence Cases
Almost every domestic violence case in Los Angeles involves a protective order. Understanding how these orders work protects both your freedom and your relationships.
When police respond to a domestic call, an officer can request an emergency protective order. A judge is available around the clock to approve one, and it typically lasts about a week.
After charges are filed, the court usually issues a criminal protective order at your arraignment under Penal Code 136.2. This order can forbid all contact, or it can allow peaceful contact when the parties share a home or children. Courts often call the second type a “Level One” order.
A protective order also requires you to surrender any firearms. Violating the order is a separate crime and can lead to revoked bail. We work at the arraignment to seek terms that keep everyone safe without separating you from your family unnecessarily.
How a Los Angeles Domestic Violence Case Moves Through Court
A domestic violence case follows a series of stages, and each one matters. Knowing what to expect helps you make calm, informed decisions.
Most cases begin with an arrest after a 911 call. Police gather statements and photos, then forward the report to the prosecutor. The prosecutor, not the accuser, decides whether to file charges.
Your first court appearance is the arraignment, where you enter a plea and receive any protective order. The pretrial phase follows, and during it we review evidence, file motions, and negotiate with the prosecution. Many domestic violence cases resolve before trial through a dismissal or a reduced charge.
If the case does proceed, we prepare a trial-ready defense built to challenge every element the prosecution must prove. Our team explains each step so you are never caught off guard.
How We Defend Against Domestic Violence Charges
Every domestic violence accusation has another side, and our job is to bring it forward. We build defense strategies around the facts, the evidence, and your account of what happened.
Self-defense is one of the most common defenses. If you reasonably believed you faced harm and used only the force needed to protect yourself, that force may have been lawful.
False or exaggerated accusations also drive many of these cases. An accuser may overstate events during an argument, or later admit the incident did not happen as reported. We investigate inconsistencies and gather statements that support your version.
In corporal injury cases, we also examine whether a traumatic condition truly exists and whether any injury was accidental. When the evidence is thin, we press the prosecution to prove each element beyond a reasonable doubt.
Domestic Violence FAQ
What is the difference between domestic battery and corporal injury?
Domestic battery under PC 243(e)(1) involves unwanted contact with no injury and is always a misdemeanor. Corporal injury under PC 273.5 requires a traumatic condition and can be charged as a felony. The presence of an injury is the key dividing line.
Can the charges be dropped if the alleged victim does not want to press charges?
Not on their own. In California, the prosecutor decides whether to pursue a domestic violence case, not the accuser. Even when an accuser recants or asks to drop the matter, prosecutors often move forward using other evidence.
Will a conviction affect my gun rights?
Yes. A misdemeanor domestic violence conviction triggers a 10-year firearm ban under California law, and federal law can impose a lifetime ban. A felony conviction can cost you the right to own a firearm permanently.
Is domestic violence a felony or a misdemeanor in California?
It depends on the charge and the facts. Domestic battery is always a misdemeanor, while corporal injury is a wobbler that prosecutors can file either way. Your record and the severity of any injury influence that decision.
What happens if I violate a protective order?
Violating a protective order under PC 273.6 is a separate misdemeanor. It can bring up to six months in county jail and a fine, and it can also lead to revoked bail. Strict compliance always works in your favor.
Our Track Record in Serious Criminal Cases
Our results come from preparation, not promises. Across more than 5,000 California cases, our defense team has built a record of fighting hard at every stage.
We have secured dismissals in serious felony matters, where the stakes for our clients could not have been higher. That experience shapes how we approach domestic violence charges, whether they involve a single misdemeanor count or felony exposure.
Recognition from Super Lawyers and the American Institute of Criminal Defense Attorneys reflects the standard we hold ourselves to in every case.
Contact Our Los Angeles Domestic Violence Lawyers
A domestic violence charge does not have to define your future. At William S. Kroger Criminal Defense Attorney At Law, our Los Angeles domestic violence lawyers fight to protect your freedom, your record, and your family.
We bring more than 75 years of combined experience to clients across Los Angeles and throughout California. Call (323) 655-5700 today for a free case evaluation, and let our team start building your defense.