An arrest changes the moment but it doesn’t have to change your future. If you or someone you care about has been arrested for domestic violence in Los Angeles, know this: you still have rights, you still have options and there is a clear legal path forward.
At Sitkoff Law Group we have guided hundreds of individuals and families through this process, many of whom never imagined they would be here and what we have seen time and again is that, with the right defense, the outcome can look very different from what you fear in the beginning.
This guide is here to show you what happens next, and more importantly, how to move forward with confidence.
What Really Happens After a DV Arrest in Los Angeles
After a domestic violence arrest in Los Angeles, the accused is usually taken into custody, fingerprinted, and held until bail is set or arraignment. A protective order is often issued immediately. The district attorney then reviews the case and decides whether to file formal charges within 48 hours.
Before we go further, would you like to speak with a former district attorney about your case?
If you or a loved one has just been arrested for domestic violence in Los Angeles, timing is critical. We offer a free, confidential consultation to help you understand your legal options and take immediate steps to protect your future.
Step One: The Arrest
Most domestic violence arrests begin with a phone call made in a moment of emotion. Sometimes during an argument, sometimes out of concern, sometimes just to create space. When LAPD responds, their job is not to assess relationships or mediate conflict. They act quickly based on signs of distress or physical evidence, which means someone is often taken into custody, whether or not the situation was dangerous.
Being arrested can feel sudden and overwhelming. But it is not a conviction. It’s the start of a legal process and you have every right to navigate it with strength and support. You are not at the mercy of the system. You are at a crossroads and the right guidance makes all the difference.
If you’re the one who made the call, it’s also okay if your feelings have shifted. People often want peace, not prosecution and while the case may now be in the hands of the state, your voice still matters, especially with a legal team that understands how to advocate for your perspective too.
Refer to California Penal Code Section 13701 for more information.
Booking and Holding
At the station, the process begins. You’ll be fingerprinted. Photographed. Placed in a cold, fluorescent-lit cell with flickering lights and the distant sound of doors slamming shut. You may be surrounded by strangers in similar situations, but that doesn’t make the experience less isolating.
Time blurs. There are no updates. Just a hard bench, a heavy heart, and long stretches of uncertainty.
You don’t know if you’ll get bail, or if a judge will allow you to go home. You don’t know if this is a misunderstanding that can be cleared up or the start of a criminal record. That fear, that in-between space, is what so many face alone.
And if the judge issues a protective order, you might not be able to contact the one person you want to explain everything to.
The Arraignment
Two or three business days after your arrest, you are brought into court. It’s loud, formal, and fast. A public defender may be there if you don’t have a lawyer yet. The judge reads your charges. You enter a plea. Bail is discussed. Restrictions are imposed.
There’s little time to speak. No deep explanation. And most people feel like passengers on a ride they never wanted to board.
Here’s the harsh truth: even if your partner doesn’t want to press charges, even if they’re saying it was a mistake, the case belongs to the state now.
The State of California decides whether or not to prosecute. It is no longer in your hands.
Regret Is Common, But the System Moves On
So many people whisper it outside courtrooms: “I just wanted things to calm down.”
They never imagined their loved one would be cuffed and taken away. But once law enforcement gets involved, they must follow procedure. Officers aren’t therapists. Their job is to enforce the law, not decide whether the relationship can be repaired.
Even if you regret the call. Even if both parties want to reconcile. The law moves forward.
You can tell the judge what you feel. You can ask for leniency. But only legal representation and the court can truly shape what comes next.
Protective Orders
Protective orders can feel like walls that suddenly appear around your life. Here’s how they work and why they matter.
Emergency Protective Orders are issued on the spot, sometimes right there in your home. Police make a quick judgment about safety, and that judgment can keep someone out of their own house for a week. Imagine being told, after one night, that you can’t even go home.
Criminal Protective Orders are often handed down during arraignment. Judges may order no contact at all, even if the accused and victim live together, co-parent, or depend on each other. The order is not optional. A single call or message, even a text that says “I’m sorry,” can lead to additional charges.
Temporary Restraining Orders come from family court, especially when there are children or joint finances involved. They can reshape custody arrangements, financial responsibilities, and even who keeps the dog.
Understanding what these orders allow or prohibit is essential. People violate them unintentionally all the time, and the court rarely sees that as an excuse.
Refer to the California Courts Protective Order Guide for more information.
After the Arraignment
This stage is filled with silence and uncertainty. There are no daily updates. No regular court appearances. Just waiting and worrying.
But behind closed doors, the system is moving.
Prosecutors are building their case. They analyze every word in the police report. They pull surveillance footage, bodycam videos, and emergency calls. Every second is reviewed for evidence that supports their charges.
Defense attorneys dig in too. They search for what’s missing, for inconsistencies, for holes in the narrative. They file motions to limit what can be used in trial. Sometimes they negotiate plea deals that avoid court altogether.
You might have a few court check-ins, but for the most part, this is the phase where you feel frozen. Like nothing is happening. But it is.
And if you are the victim, this can be the most emotionally confusing stage. You may be contacted for testimony or evidence. You may be unsure what you want. That is okay. You are allowed to feel complicated things.
The Fallout
A domestic violence arrest is not just a legal charge. It is a ripple that hits every part of your life.
Your name might appear in online court records, even if the charges are later dismissed. That’s what employers and landlords see when they search you.
If you have kids, family court may use the arrest against you, sometimes without hearing your side. Judges often take a better-safe-than-sorry approach when children are involved.
If you work in healthcare, education, security, or any licensed profession, your job might be in jeopardy. Sometimes HR departments do not wait for the verdict.
If you’re on a visa or applying for one, immigration officials can view the arrest as grounds for denial, even if you’re later found not guilty.
And if you’ve ever wanted to own a firearm, even just for personal protection, a domestic violence conviction automatically ends that right.
Refer to the California DOJ on Domestic Violence for more information.
If You Are the Victim
In the whirlwind of hearings and motions, victims often feel forgotten. But you are not invisible. You have rights too.
Victim advocates are trained to walk with you through this process. They explain paperwork, go with you to court, and help you find safe places to stay if you cannot go home.
Financial support is available through the California Victim Compensation Board. If you’ve had to move, lost your job, or needed therapy after the incident, you might qualify for aid. Apply here for more information.
You can also go to family court to request a restraining order, even if no criminal charges move forward. That court sees you as a person, not just a piece of evidence in a criminal case.
Your safety, your voice, and your peace of mind matter just as much as the outcome of the trial.
If You Were Wrongfully Arrested
False arrests do happen. Sometimes someone calls the police in the heat of the moment. Sometimes only one person speaks when the officers arrive. Sometimes self-defense is misunderstood.
If you were wrongly arrested, your defense begins with documentation.
Keep records of texts, voicemails, social media messages. Write down what happened as soon as you can. Ask witnesses to share what they saw, especially if they’re neutral parties.
Work with an attorney who has sat on both sides of the courtroom. Someone who knows how the prosecution thinks and how to respond to it. That experience can make the difference between freedom and conviction.
The Real Toll
What happened in that moment may have taken seconds, but its consequences may take years.
People lose relationships. They lose custody. They lose homes. The emotional weight of being labeled abuser, victim, suspect can break even the strongest among us.
And yet, this pain can also lead to healing. To tell the truth. To change. But it cannot happen if you are stuck in shame or silence.
You are not your worst night. And you do not have to navigate this alone.
Explore additional support from Peace Over Violence, the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 800-799-7233, or LA County Mental Health for more information.
Final Word from the Team at Sitkoff Law Group
At Sitkoff Law Group, we have seen families face their worst nights. We have seen people fall apart, and we have helped them rebuild.
Whether you were arrested or made the call, you deserve more than judgment. You deserve clarity. You deserve guidance. You deserve a chance to move forward.
The legal system is complex, but not unbeatable. And the sooner you take action, the sooner you understand your rights, your risks, and your options, the stronger you’ll be.
This moment feels overwhelming, but it does not have to define your future.
The path forward starts now. Let our team at Sitkoff Law Group help you walk it with strength, strategy, and clarity.
Talk to an experienced defense team today. Your consultation is free, confidential, and focused on helping you move forward.
Disclaimer:
This article is intended for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Reading this blog does not create an attorney-client relationship. Every domestic violence case is unique, and legal outcomes can vary based on the specific facts and circumstances. If you are facing criminal charges or are involved in a domestic violence case, you should consult with a qualified attorney for advice tailored to your situation.
