Riverside Sexual Assault Lawyer

A Firm Legal Stand Against Domestic Violence Accusations

Often, domestic violence cases in Riverside begin with a single moment that gets magnified into something far larger. I’ve seen arguments, misunderstandings, and emotional exchanges turn into criminal allegations within minutes. 

As a Riverside domestic violence lawyer, I step in to slow things down, examine what actually happened, and challenge the assumptions that shaped the arrest. My role is to keep the system from locking in a story that doesn’t reflect the truth and to protect your future before the case gains uncontrollable momentum.

What Domestic Violence Means Under California Law

In California, domestic violence cases are those that involve harm, attempted harm, or threatening behavior toward someone the defendant shares or once shared a close relationship with. Many of these violent crime cases are built on fragments: a brief statement at the scene, an ambiguous injury photo, or a misinterpretation of an emotional argument.

Here are the types of conduct that may lead to domestic violence convictions:

• Domestic assault: Threatening to or attempting to harm someone during an intense moment.
• Domestic battery: Unwanted physical contact that causes harm or distress
• Corporal injury: Infliction of a visible injury. 
• Stalking and harassment: Making someone fear for their safety, especially if a restraining order is in place.

Prosecutors build domestic violence cases on the following foundations:

• Establishing a qualifying relationship under California law.
• Showing that the defendant’s conduct caused physical injury or fear.
• Substantiating the incident through statements by the alleged victim, family members, or neighbors.
• Presenting other evidence, such as photos, medical records, or texts.

In Riverside County courts, these cases often rely heavily on the police report and the alleged victim’s initial description of events, even if the story later changes. I focus on challenging inconsistencies, examining physical evidence closely, and showing where reasonable doubt exists.

Types of Domestic Violence Charges I Defend Against

Domestic violence cases vary widely, and each one demands a defense shaped around the real circumstances, not assumptions. I represent clients in the following matters and more.

Domestic Battery 

California Penal Code Section 243 covers accusations of unwanted physical contact, including battery against family members and dating partners. Even incidents that do not involve a visible injury are still treated seriously.

Corporal Injury

Another law, Penal Code Section 273.5, defines corporal injuries, which can lead to felony charges. The legal definition of a corporal injury includes visible marks such as redness and bruising. 

Photos can distort the truth, and I challenge assumptions made by officers and prosecutors. When prosecutors want to prove that a corporal injury occurred, the accuracy of the evidence matters. 

Restraining Order Violations

Penal Code Section 273.6 covers violations of protective orders. Sometimes, clients face charges for alleged violations when they never intended to contact the victim or when they didn’t understand that an action was restricted. In these cases, intent and context matter.

False Accusations and Retaliatory Claims

I see cases where accusations arise during custody disputes or where heated arguments lead to false claims of domestic violence. When that happens, I investigate text messages, social media posts, and other evidence to look for inconsistencies in the accuser’s story.

What Happens After a Domestic Violence Arrest in Riverside?

After an arrest, the situation moves faster than most people expect. Here’s what typically happens:

• Officers may arrest someone immediately, even when the facts are unclear or when both parties are making accusations.
• A judge may issue a temporary protective order without considering the long-term consequences, such as the order’s effect on custody arrangements.
• The police report becomes the prosecution’s foundation, even if the statements were made hastily while under stress.
• Prosecutors make filing decisions independently, regardless of whether the alleged victim wants the case to be dropped.
• Your first court hearing can set restrictions that affect your daily life, so immediate preparation matters.

I take action early to prevent the case from spiraling based on incomplete or emotion-fueled information.

Potential Domestic Violence Penalties I Work to Help You Avoid

Domestic violence accusations carry serious consequences that extend far beyond the initial arrest. Possible penalties include:

• Up to one year in county jail for misdemeanor domestic battery.
• State prison time for corporal injury convictions.
• Community service and court-ordered classes that interrupt work and family responsibilities.
• Restrictive protective orders that alter living arrangements and personal relationships.
• Custody complications that influence long-term parental rights.
• A permanent criminal record that affects employment and housing.

Even a first offense can bring jail time, depending on the extent of the alleged injury, witness statements about the incident, or records of prior conflicts. My goal is to reduce that exposure or prevent a conviction altogether.

Questions About Your Rights in a Domestic Violence Case in the Inland Empire

You have important rights when accused of domestic violence, and using them early can strengthen your defense. To protect yourself from ill-advised decisions made in the heat of the moment, take note of the answers to these questions.

Do I Have to Speak with Investigators?

No. You have the right to remain silent, and that right applies from the moment officers arrive. If you don’t have legal representation during an interrogation, you might say something that can later be taken out of context. Direct all contact through your defense attorney in order to prevent accidental admissions or misinterpretations.

Can I Return Home After the Arrest?

It depends. Protective orders vary widely in scope. Some prevent you from returning home even when there’s no ongoing conflict. You have the right to request adjustments when the order interferes with work, housing, or parenting time. I can push for modifications when the facts support a less restrictive approach.

Can the Case Be Dropped?

Prosecutors — not the alleged victim — decide whether a case moves forward. Even so, new statements, clarifying information, and additional context can shift how the prosecution views the situation. You have the right to present evidence that reflects what truly occurred. This can influence what level of crime you are charged with or whether the case continues at all.

How Do I Respond to False Allegations?

You have the right to challenge any claim made against you. Evidence in your defense might include texts, social media posts, timelines, witness accounts, photos, and anything else showing that the accusation doesn’t match reality. I use your right to a fair hearing to highlight contradictions and expose weaknesses in the prosecution’s version of events.

Will I Have to Attend Programs or Classes?

Court-ordered classes or programs are common, but not guaranteed. They are often tied to certain plea agreements or specific findings. You have the right to contest any condition that isn’t supported by the circumstances. My goal is to prevent unnecessary obligations that disrupt your life or that imply guilt when the facts do not.

Do I Have to Accept the Charges as Filed?

No. You have the right to dispute the allegations, question the evidence, and push for reduced charges or dismissal. Many domestic cases are built quickly, leaving out essential information. By exercising your rights from your first contact with law enforcement, you can set the stage for a defense that is not limited to the version of events in the initial police report.

How I Fight for Your Rights in a Domestic Violence Case

When I take on a domestic violence case, my process involves these steps:

• Evaluating physical evidence such as photos, medical records, and the accuracy of “visible injury” claims.
• Reviewing every line of the police report to spot assumptions or inconsistencies.
• Breaking down witness statements to expose contradictions or motives.
• Presenting self-defense evidence when the situation escalated mutually.
• Challenging false allegations that arise during custody conflicts or relationship tension.
• Creating reasonable doubt by showing gaps or unreliable elements in the prosecution’s case.

When you work with me, you get direct representation, not layers of staff or rushed handoffs. This is detailed work that I handle personally.