Why are Domestic Violence Cases Treated So Harshly in Los Angeles?
This is a good question, and I think half of the community realizes how brutal and vicious the prosecutors and judges can be in these domestic violence cases. The other half is completely oblivious to it.
I get clients that come in — and I've been doing this for 26 years — handled thousands of domestic violence cases across Los Angeles County. I've got people coming in, who have no idea what they've gotten into.
They try to say that their spouse or loved one will drop the charges, and that will be the end of it. They need to realize why they need an attorney.
Victim Can't Drop Domestic Violence Charges
They don't realize that in approximately 90% of cases, the alleged victim or significant others try to drop the charges or change their story. The prosecutors realize this. They don't care.
Domestic violence victims can't drop the charges against their abuser.
Suppose they have evidence that somebody committed an act of domestic violence in Los Angeles, California. If there's an injury, if they've got body cam evidence, photographs of injuries, a statement of the alleged victim, somebody got hurt, they've got pictures of those injuries — they're going to file that case against the person.
So, you should start defending yourself immediately and realize how serious it is.
Most criminal defense attorneys try and say well, it's the OJ case. That's what did not. That's what did it. That's what caused them to be so harsh. That's one little thread. Don't forget, the OJ case was back in 1994. That was many years ago.
Family and Violence Cases are Prosecuted Aggressively
That's when I first started practicing criminal defense and saw a shift. But you have to realize that society itself has shifted, and for some reason, in Los Angeles, California, the authorities have chosen to be very harsh on spousal abuse, domestic violence — anything involving a family, and any violence.
It started with the legislature. It's not just the police. It's not just the prosecutors and judges. The legislature passed all of these laws that you lose your weapon rights for ten years if you're convicted of anything related to domestic violation.
Los Angeles prosecutors will aggressively pursue domestic violence cases.
Now, the judges, when somebody comes in for the first criminal appearance who has been charged with domestic violence, are automatically going to put a protective order in place and order that person to stay away from the alleged victim.
Of course, part of the problem with that is the alleged victim is usually their significant other. Maybe that's the home where they stay. So, now the person cannot go back to their home.
I'm here to tell you that these crimes are treated so severely because of the OJ case, because of how society is today in Los Angeles, because of the legislature, and because of how the police, prosecutors, and judges view these cases.
So, you'd better take it seriously. You better get a criminal defense attorney who has been down this road before and has been successful. I've got some specific strategies depending on the circumstances and your criminal record.
It will also depend on what happened in your particular case, how we will handle it, and what strategies we will employ. I'd like for you to pick up the phone. If you're looking for a seasoned domestic violence defense attorney in Los Angeles who gets results, make the call.
