San Diego Domestic Violence Lawyer & Attorney

Domestic violence is one of the most emotionally-charged issues present in society today, and as a result, the penalties associated with such a conviction have become quite severe in nature. Therefore, if you have been charged with domestic violence, you face a serious criminal problem, and one that will likely be pursued aggressively by the government.

If this is a situation you currently face, the worst thing you can do is to do nothing. You need to take immediate action in order to protect your rights, and you can gain a complete understanding of what these rights are by contacting a San Diego domestic violence lawyer at Kerry Steigerwalt & Associates today to schedule an initial consultation.

Below is a brief look at a few of the legal issues that surround domestic violence in San Diego.

What is Domestic Violence?

Domestic violence is generally known to be an act of violence perpetrated by one partner on another within the home. Generally speaking, the victim is the woman, but that is certainly not exclusive. Men can and have been victims of domestic violence, and although most don't realize it, men have the same rights as women when it comes to suffering from abuse in the home.

What Happens if My Partner Calls the Police?

This is a somewhat difficult question to answer, but generally, the police will initiate an immediate response, and depending on the circumstances, the person who is alleged to have committed the act of domestic violence is generally removed from the premises when it's apparent that a violent encounter has occurred.

Will I go to Jail?

It's certainly possible. While every municipality treats the immediate aftermath of a domestic violence call a bit differently, some of these communities will place the alleged violator in custody for a short amount of time. If the police suspect that you have engaged in domestic assault or battery, you could be charged with a crime, and depending on the circumstances that charge could be either a misdemeanor or a felony. Any charge of this type carries the potential for jail time with a conviction. One other legal reality is that there are situations in which the government may proceed with its prosecution even if the original complaining party decides that he or she does not want to pursue the charges.

What to Do Next

As you see, being arrested and charged with domestic violence is an extremely serious matter. If you face such a situation, you need immediate legal help. Contact a San Diego domestic violence lawyer at Kerry Steigerwalt & Associates immediately to begin to build your defense.