Domestic Violence

Orange County Attorney for Domestic Violence Arrests & Charges

The general definition of domestic violence is the use of force or violence on a spouse, ex-spouse, family member, person that you live with, or person that you are or were in a romantic relationship with. There are several different forms of domestic violence that are covered under different areas of the law. Following are the two main laws concerning domestic violence in California:

California penal code section 243(e)(1) "Domestic Battery" defines this offense as: inflicting force or violence on an intimate partner (spouse, ex-spouse, fiancé, parent of your child, dating partner, or person that you live with). This offense does not require the victim to have suffered visible injury. Domestic battery in this sense is a misdemeanor offense.

"Corporal Injury to a Spouse or Cohabitant" is another form of domestic violence, covered under California penal code section 273.5. In these cases, the victim would have suffered a visible physical injury of some kind, even if this is limited to bruising or swelling. This law applies to violence between spouses, ex-spouses and parents of a shared child.

Additional types of domestic violence include child abuse, child endangerment, stalking, and criminal threats. Any of these have the potential to be extremely serious and to change one's life forever if convicted. For example, domestic violence is considered a "crime of moral turpitude" and is therefore a deportable crime. If you are a legal immigrant and are convicted of this offense, you will face deportation.

Contact an Orange County Domestic Violence Lawyer

Fred Thiagarajah is a former Deputy District Attorney who has a thorough understanding of the criminal court process and investigatory procedures as they relate to domestic violence charges in Orange County, California. With his experience as a prosecutor and criminal defense lawyer, attorney Thiagarajah is able to provide higher quality counsel to each of his clients as he guides them through this often difficult process.

For the skilled, dedicated legal help you need, contact Orange County domestic violence attorney Fred Thiagarajah today.