Laguna Beach Domestic Violence Lawyer

Laguna Beach Domestic Violence Attorney

Domestic violence is one of the most complex issues within family law. It generally involves some abuse from one person with a domestic relationship to another. These situations are taken seriously by the law, and there are many protections in place for victims. However, because of the severity of the protections in place, it’s critical that there be sufficient verification before these measures are put in place. It’s imperative to enlist the support of a Laguna Beach domestic violence lawyer.

The attorneys at Quinn & Dworakowski, LLP, have extensive experience representing clients who have been accused of domestic abuse, as well as those who need protection from an abuser. It is vital to have a Laguna Beach domestic violence law firm in your corner that can skillfully protect your future.

Domestic Violence in California

Domestic violence is generally categorized by a combination of abusive behavior and the nature of the relationship between the two parties that are involved. The abusive behavior could fall into several different types of abuse. This could include, but is not limited to:

• Physical Abuse – Doing harm and causing physical injury to another is considered physical abuse.
• Sexual Abuse – Using force or coercion for non-consensual sex acts is sexual abuse.
• Psychological and Emotional Abuse – A wide variety of behaviors may be considered psychological or emotional abuse, such as humiliation, isolation threats, criticism, and intimidation.
• Financial Abuse – Controlling access to money and forcing financial dependence are forms of financial abuse.
• Stalking – Unwanted contact, monitoring, and following, causing fear or intimidation.

Some of the relationships that can be considered domestic violence include:

• Spouse or ex-spouse
• Parents
• Children
• Stepparents
• Stepchildren
• Grandparents
• Grandchildren
• Past and present romantic partners
• Past and present roommates

Restraining Orders

Restraining orders in Laguna Beach are one of the most important tools for addressing domestic violence. These orders set a series of restrictions on someone with regard to a victim of domestic violence. Some of the restrictions include:

• Staying away from the victim and their place of employment, home, school, or anywhere else the judge sees fit to include
• No contact with the victim of any sort, including email, texts, or social media
• Must move out of any shared residence
• Child custody and visitation set by the court, possibly with no visitation allowed
• Required attendance in counseling, therapy, classes, or other treatment
• Having to surrender firearms if the judge believes there is a threat of violence

To receive a restraining order, someone must petition the court for one. If the judge believes that they have brought sufficient evidence to warrant a full hearing, then they will issue temporary orders that last until that hearing.

At a hearing for permanent orders, both sides will make their case either for or against those orders. The judge will be the one who makes a decision and will need to weigh the evidence presented. If a judge believes that it is likely that domestic violence occurred and the victim needs protection, they will issue permanent orders.

Mistaken Accusation of Domestic Violence

Sometimes, accusations of domestic abuse are unfounded, and it is crucial to have an aggressive domestic violence attorney to protect your future. Cases of intentional false accusations sometimes occur out of vengeance or spite or to gain an advantage in a child custody battle.

False accusations can also stem from a misinterpretation of careless words spoken in an argument. Self-defense is also a potential defense when a domestic argument escalates into a serious altercation. Because of the risks of mistaken accusations, it’s critical that domestic violence claims be carefully scrutinized. Working with an experienced lawyer is crucial for the parties involved to ensure that they are fiercely and effectively represented.

Laguna Beach Domestic Violence FAQs

Q: What if a Restraining Order Is Violated?

A: Generally, a violation of a restraining order could be treated as contempt of court, a misdemeanor, or even a felony, depending on the nature of the violation. The penalties will also vary depending on the kind of violation that occurred. Some of the things that could be penalized include loss of child custody or visitation rights, further restrictions, community service, fines, and even jail time. Violations of orders are treated seriously and should never occur.

Q: What Does a Laguna Beach Domestic Violence Lawyer Do?

A: There are a number of ways that a Laguna Beach domestic violence lawyer may be able to help a client. Your attorney will go over the details of your situation and provide you with solid legal advice on how to proceed. In the pursuit of a restraining order or any other legal action, a lawyer can represent you and advocate for your interests throughout the process.

Q: Is Child Custody Affected by a Restraining Order?

A: Child custody is one of the things that a restraining order makes a ruling on. It sets custody and visitation rules. If the judge believes that there is a risk of violence, they may limit the child’s interaction to supervised visitation. In other cases, they may choose not to allow any visitation at all, and the children will have the same stay-away and no-contact orders as the victim who petitioned for restraining order protection.

Q: Are There Penalties for False Accusations of Domestic Violence?

A: False accusations could create a series of problems for someone. It could have both civil and criminal consequences. There is the potential of a civil lawsuit for defamation or slander that could potentially be filed. Criminal charges such as filing a false police report, obstruction of justice, or perjury could be made against anyone knowingly falsely accusing someone.

Reach Out to a Laguna Beach Domestic Violence Lawyer

Domestic violence is something the law takes very seriously. There are significant protections for victims and serious penalties for those who commit domestic violence. However, domestic violence is also a particularly complex issue, which can lead to mistaken or even intentionally false accusations. This is why any claim of domestic violence must be closely scrutinized.

The experienced team at Quinn & Dworakowski, LLP can fiercely advocate for you, no matter which side of a domestic violence claim you are on. Contact us today so we can discuss your situation.