Domestic violence is defined pursuant to two CA Penal Code Sections: 243(e) (1) and 273.5. The 243(e)(1) section concerns any act of battery perpetrated on “a spouse, a person with whom the defendant is co-habitating, a person who is the parent of the defendant’s child, former spouse, fiancé, or a person with whom the defendant currently has or has previously had, dating relationship.” In most cases, this crime is a misdemeanor. California PC Section 273.5 defines the willful infliction of bodily injury resulting in trauma to a spouse or partner (as defined above) as a felony.

Some domestic violence cases (those involving corporal injury) are strikes and can also have adverse effect on defendant’s immigration status.  Contact our Orange County domestic violence attorneys to discuss your options.