Trusted Bay Area Lawyer Defends Clients Accused of Domestic Violence
Dedicated Palo Alto defense attorney handles assault and stalking allegations
Domestic violence affects people from all walks of life and in every class of society. At Edwin E. Samuels, Attorney at Law, I represent Bay Area residents who are charged with domestic violence crimes in California. With more than 40 years of experience as a criminal defense attorney based in Palo Alto, I skillfully oppose prosecutors who file charges for physical, verbal, psychological and emotional abuse. My priority is protecting your freedom and your right to maintain your important relationships.
Experienced California counselor takes on complicated abuse accusations
Domestic violence is often thought of as an act of physical violence, such as assault, between married people. But the term “domestic violence” encompasses a wider range of offenses and relationships. In addition to your spouse or domestic partner, and people who are closely related to you by blood or marriage, anyone who you have dated, lived with or had a child with can accuse you of domestic violence.
A domestic violence arrest may result from allegations of:
- Physical harm — A single act intended to physically hurt another person can be the basis of a domestic violence case, whether or not the victim was actually hurt. A person can also be charged for a reckless act that threatens or causes physical harm.
- Criminal harassment — Texts, phone calls or other communications that threaten violence can be criminal harassment if they make someone reasonably fear for their safety or for the safety of someone else. Criminal harassment can also apply to other courses of action taken to seriously annoy, alarm, torment or terrorize a person.
- Stalking — Willfully, repeatedly, and maliciously following someone is considered stalking. Willful and malicious harassment also counts as long as a credible threat is made to place someone in fear for their safety or the safety of their family members.
- Sexual assault — Forced sex is illegal. Consent is necessary for any sexual contact, including sex with a spouse or romantic partner.
Even if an alleged victim does not want you to be charged with a crime, a prosecutor can still pursue a conviction. My law office vigorously defends clients against domestic violence accusations of all types.
Hardworking attorney seeks to have charges dropped and penalties reduced
Depending on the severity of the victim’s claims, you may face misdemeanor or felony charges in criminal court. An act of domestic violence that results in a physical injury can be a felony, with conviction resulting in jail time, fines, probation and other punishments. Even a “less serious” misdemeanor charge can come with a county jail sentence.
Following an accusation of domestic abuse, a restraining order may be issued. When a district attorney files criminal charges, the court often issues a criminal protective order. The order may require you to move out of your house, stay away from certain locations and cease all contact with the victim. A judge can issue a temporary restraining order based on the victim’s statements without ever hearing from the accused person. If you and your accuser have children together, a restraining order may prevent you from seeing your children. A domestic violence incident can also influence a family court’s decisions about child custody and visitation.
When so much is at stake, I will work to defend your rights and tell your side of the story. As an experienced criminal defense lawyer, I am determined to pursue a favorable outcome that can help you and your loved ones find a path forward. For more information, see our domestic violence FAQ page.
Contact a reputable Palo Alto domestic violence defense lawyer to book a free consultation
Time is of the essence when fighting restraining orders and domestic violence charges. Based in Palo Alto, Edwin E. Samuels, Attorney at Law acts urgently and efficiently to defend Bay Area clients against these allegations. To schedule a free initial consultation, call my office at 650-619-9706 or contact me online.
