Manhattan Beach Domestic Violence Defense Attorneys | Former Torrance Court Prosecutors

Crimes involving violence are considered among the most serious criminal offenses in the Manhattan Beach. All forms of violent crime are prosecuted aggressively throughout the South Bay, and criminal acts involving Domestic Violence charges are no different. A violent crime is considered Domestic Violence related when the act is committed against someone who has one of the following relationships to you:

• Your cohabitant or former cohabitant
• Your spouse or former spouse
• Your fiance` or former fiancée
• The mother or father of your child
• A person you are currently dating or have previously dated

Manhattan Beach Domestic Violence Lawyers, Paul Takakjian, and Stephen Sitkoff have each practiced criminal law for over 35 years in California. As former Torrance Court prosecutors, Mr. Takakjian and Mr. Sitkoff possess an unparalleled insight into the internal practices of the Los Angeles District Attorney’s Office, and are widely regarded as the two of the most respected criminal defense lawyers in the South Bay. Call us today at (424) 757-0865 for a free phone consultation or to schedule a meeting in our Torrance office.  

Types Of Domestic Violence Charges

Domestic Violence is prosecuted under several different California Penal Code statutes with the specifics of your criminal act determining which code you are prosecuted for. The following are the most common Domestic Violence crimes in Manhattan Beach:

• Spousal/Cohabitant Abuse | PC 273.5 – Willfully inflicting a traumatic condition or injury upon a victim with whom you currently or previously shared a domestic relationship with. Spousal abuse is classified as a “wobbler” offense. Therefore, PC 273.5 can be charged as either a misdemeanor or felony. If charged with felony Spousal Abuse, you face up to 4 years in prison, up to 5 years probation, a fine up to $6,000, and a 52-week batterer’s program.

• Domestic Battery | PC 243(e)1 – Willfully using force or violence upon a person with whom you currently or previously shared a domestic relationship with. Recognized as a lesser charge to PC 273.5, Domestic Battery does not require an injury or traumatic condition to be inflicted upon the victim. PC 243(e)1 is a straight misdemeanor and is punishable by up to 1 year in county jail, up to a $2,000 fine, up to 5 years of summary probation, and a 52-week batterer’s program

• Criminal Threats | PC 422 – Willfully threatening to commit a crime which will result in death or great bodily injury to another person either verbally, in writing, or by electronic means. Criminal threats is categorized as a wobbler offense. Therefore, it can be prosecuted as a felony or misdemeanor. PC 422 does not require any physical contact yet as a felony Domestic Violence crime, a felony Criminal Threat can result in a “strike” under California’s 3 Strikes Law. As a misdemeanor, however, Criminal Threats is punishable by up to 1 year in county jail, up to a $2,000 fine, up to 5 years summary probation, and a 52-week batterer’s program.

Contact Our Manhattan Beach Domestic Violence Lawyers Today

Defending Domestic Violence charges in Torrance Court is complex. Deputy district attorneys and city attorneys routinely press forward with prosecution even without the cooperation of victims or evidence of injury. The consequences of a Domestic Violence charge can be minimized or potentially avoided completely with the guidance of an experienced Domestic Violence defense lawyer. Mr. Takakjian and Mr. Sitkoff personally handles each of their cases, and both have successfully defended misdemeanor and felony Domestic Violence crimes in Manhattan Beach since 1987. Call us today at (424) 757-0865 for a free consultation or to schedule a meeting at our office located at 3655 Torrance Blvd., in the city of Torrance.