Family violence or domestic abuse results when one person applies physical force to another. Physical force can include a punch, slap, kick, bite or even throwing an object at another, injury is not required. What differentiates a domestic violence case from a simple assault or battery case is the relationship between the parties. Domestic violence or domestic battery statutes require the suspect and victim to currently be in or have been in a relationship. Such relationships can occur between spouses, domestic partners, former partners or spouses, individuals involved in a dating relationship, parents and children. If you or a loved one has been charged with domestic violence, it is important you have a qualified, aggressive attorney representing you. Our Irvine based law firm has successfully handled the most minor spousal assault cases to the most serious.

The criminal defense law firm of Pilchman & Kay, PLC in Irvine, Ca has attorneys who have spent years handling domestic violence cases. Our lawyers are all former prosecutors who were assigned to the prestigious Family Violence Prosecution Team handling domestic violence cases. Now as defense attorneys, they are able to use their specialized skill and training on behalf of their clients. They have successfully resolved cases out of all the major courthouses in Orange County including Santa Ana, Harbor, Laguna Niguel, Westminster and Fullerton.

Anyone charged with domestic violence cases in Orange County has something to lose, especially if you hold a professional license or have a job that requires backgrounds checks. Conviction of spousal abuse or domestic abuse charges may jeopardize your career, your family and even your financial stability. This makes our Irvine criminal defense firm the firm you need to vigorously defend your rights. We will file all pre-trial motions, negotiate with district attorneys and judges and ultimately engage in trial, always pursuing the best interest of our clients.

A few Examples of Domestic Violence Crimes:

• Domestic Battery (Misdemeanor and/or Felony) --Corporal Injury to Spouse
• Domestic Assault --Aggravated Domestic Assault --Domestic Abuse
• Domestic Violence --Aggravated Domestic Violence --Spouse Abuse
• Spouse Battery --Spousal Abuse --Spousal Battery --Aggravated Spousal Battery
• Aggravated Spousal Abuse --Battery to Spouse --Assault to Spouse --Spousal Assault
• Spouse Assault

There are many consequences one can face if they are convicted of spousal abuse. Convictions can be for misdemeanor domestic battery or felony corporal injury to spouse. Whether convicted of a misdemeanor or felony a persons background is usually what a judge looks at prior to imposing sentence. This is true for all cases but when it comes to domestic violence or abuse cases they look more closely. Judges will typically look to see if a person has any prior convictions or allegations of abuse. Whether they are employed and supporting their family. Whether the crime was serious enough to warrant incarceration in state prison or will minimal jail time be sufficient. Whether a person is remorseful and willing to comply with all court orders. At Orange County's top criminal defense firm, we will help build this package for your so that a police report is not the only information a judge prior to sentencing. We negotiate for alternative sentences so clients can continue working and remain free from custody.

Restraining Orders

Restraining orders are court orders preventing two or more people from having any contact with one another. The idea of a restraining order is to protect the person seeking the order. Any person who is a victim of harassment or stalking can ask a judge for help in the way of a stay away order. To initiate this process, the person who is being harassed or threatened would file paperwork at the courthouse in the city or county they reside in. Once this paperwork is filed, a judge will review the claims and either grant a temporary order or deny the order. If the temporary order is granted, the paperwork must be "served" on the party to be restrained for it to be valid. If this is not done, the temporary order is not valid.

Please contact the domestic violence lawyers for a Free Consultation .