Beverly Hills Domestic Violence Attorney
Sadly, domestic abuse is extremely common in Beverly Hills, CA. If you were a victim of domestic violence, an experienced Beverly Hills domestic violence attorney at Berenji & Associates can help fight to protect your legal rights. Call our office today at (310) 271-6290.
Acts of domestic violence can have a devastating impact on your family and on your life. We have helped countless clients navigate complicated domestic violence issues that can impact every aspect of their lives.
Our Beverly Hills divorce lawyers have over 25 years of experience representing clients in family law matters, such as divorce, child custody, Beverly Hills property division, spousal support, and more.
If you’re struggling with domestic violence, you’re not alone. You can take the first step today by contacting our law offices in Beverly Hills, California to schedule a consultation with our compassionate team.
How Can Berenji & Associates Help If I Have Been a Victim of Domestic Violence in Beverly Hills?
Domestic violence can make every day a struggle. It can also have serious legal repercussions. Because of the complexities involved, it’s important to have a lawyer with significant experience handling these types of cases.
At Berenji & Associates, the number one goal of our Beverly Hills family lawyers is to keep our clients safe. Over the years, we’ve earned numerous accolades for our high-quality legal representation. Our legal team includes a Top-Rated Family Law Attorney by Super Lawyers and a Top 30 Matrimonial and Family Law Attorney by America’s Premier Attorneys.
When you hire us, we will:
- Help you stop the abuse immediately
- File for a restraining order if necessary
- Gather evidence to prove your case
- Help you understand how the allegations can impact your divorce or child custody arrangement
- Represent you at all hearings and during any court-ordered mediation
- Vigorously defend your rights at all stages of the legal process
Are you ready to learn more? Call our Beverly Hills family law attorneys today.
How is Domestic Violence Defined in California?
Many different acts can amount to domestic abuse. Domestic violence can include physical abuse, sexual assault, and even threats and stalking.
Generally speaking, domestic violence is violence that occurs between parties who share some type of intimate or family relationship.
The California Domestic Violence Prevention Act governs legal issues involving domestic abuse in the state of California. Most instances of domestic violence involve acts that are criminal offenses under other sections of the California Penal Code. It is the relationship between the parties that brings the actions under the umbrella of “domestic violence.”
Under California law, “domestic violence” is perpetrated against any of the following parties:
- A spouse or former spouse
- Cohabitants or former cohabitants
- Current or former dating partners
- Your child’s other parent
- Children
- Blood relatives and relatives by marriage (in-laws)
Any type of abuse can amount to domestic violence. “Abuse’” for purposes of the law includes:
- Causing or attempting to cause bodily injury
- Sexual assault
- Placing another person in reasonable apprehension of imminent serious bodily injury to that person or to another
The law is clear that the abusive person does not have to cause physical injury to be guilty of domestic violence. While physical abuse is punishable under the law, additional examples of domestic abuse include:
- Name-calling or belittling
- Exercising improper control over the other party’s finances
- Stalking
- Threatening
If you or a family member have been a victim of domestic abuse, don’t hesitate to reach out for help today. Our lawyers can take steps to help keep you safe. Once you’re safe, we’ll use our years of experience and resources to help you sort through the legal issues of your case. Just give us a call for a case review today.
What Are the Legal Consequences of Domestic Violence in Beverly Hills?
Domestic violence in California has both civil and criminal consequences. At Berenji & Associates, our experienced Beverly Hills domestic violence lawyers can help you navigate the complex issues that you may face–whether you’ve been a victim or are being falsely accused.
Civil Lawsuits
Victims of domestic abuse can file a personal injury lawsuit against their abuser. The remedy in personal injury cases is financial compensation.
If you can prove that someone else caused you to suffer harm, you may be entitled to compensation for:
- Medical expenses
- Relocation costs
- Counseling
- Lost income
- Pain and suffering
- Emotional distress
- Anxiety, depression, or PTSD
- Humiliation and fear
You may also be entitled to punitive damages to punish your abuser.
There are many different grounds for filing a personal injury claim. If your abuser inflicted physical harm, you may have a valid case based on assault and battery. If the abuse was emotional, you may have a valid claim for intentional infliction of emotional distress.
Restraining Orders
Obtaining a restraining order is often the first course of action in domestic violence cases in Los Angeles and Beverly Hills. Judges will issue restraining orders on a temporary basis to stop the abuse from continuing. If you can prove your case, the district attorney can issue a permanent restraining order.
Restraining orders can accomplish a number of things, including:
- Prohibiting the abuser from contacting you or coming near you
- Forcing the abuser to move out of a shared home while the case is being resolved
- Requiring the abuser to provide financial support to the victim
Violating a restraining order is a criminal offense. If you have been a victim of abuse, our lawyers can help you obtain a protective order. If you have been falsely accused of domestic violence, we can also help you prove your case.
Criminal Charges
Individuals who violate restraining orders can be convicted on criminal charges. The abuser may also face criminal charges for the underlying abuse.
Depending on the nature of the abuse, the consequences of these criminal charges can range from a misdemeanor conviction to serious felonies. The abuser could face jail time, financial penalties, and other collateral consequences.
How Can Allegations of Domestic Violence Impact My Family Law Case?
Domestic abuse can impact every aspect of your family’s life. That includes divorce and child custody matters. If you’re dealing with family law issues in the wake of domestic abuse, contact our lawyers in Beverly Hills for legal assistance today. We’ll do everything we can to help you resolve matters favorably.
How Can Allegations of Domestic Violence Impact My Divorce Case?
California is a no-fault divorce state. You can obtain a divorce without offering any reason or evidence. However, if you do have evidence of abuse, that can help with aspects of your divorce case.
For example, if your spouse was convicted on domestic violence charges, it is very unlikely that a family court judge will require you to pay spousal support once your divorce is finalized. Similarly, the judge may look more favorably upon your situation when it comes time to divide your marital assets.
How Can Allegations of Domestic Violence Impact My Child Custody Rights?
Child custody matters are determined based on what is in the best interests of the child. Most of the time, judges in California prefer arrangements where both parents share relatively equal parenting time and responsibilities.
Cases involving domestic violence are different. If the abuser is a threat to the child, judges are much more likely to award sole custody to the non-abusive parent. Even if the abusive spouse or parent has not harmed the child, evidence of domestic violence toward the child’s other parent can be relevant to child custody matters.
It’s important to gather evidence to prove your family has been struggling with domestic abuse.
Relevant evidence may include:
- Details of the abusive parent’s criminal conviction
- Medical records and records of hospital visits
- Police reports and calls to law enforcement
- Statements from neighbors, family, and other witnesses to the abuse
- Photographs of any physical injuries
- Evidence about calls to domestic violence support hotlines
The abusive parent cannot escape child support obligations even if the non-abusive parent gains sole custody of the child.
On the other hand, it’s important to remember that evidence about a history of domestic violence does not automatically mean that the abusive parent loses all parenting rights. Often, abusive parties can prove to the court that they have changed their behavior so they no longer pose a threat to the child or the family.
For example, the abusive party may present evidence about:
- Completion of anger management and parenting courses
- Completion of domestic violence programs
- Completion of drug or alcohol rehabilitation
- Other types of “good behavior,” including compliance with probation, parole, or restraining orders
Situations involving domestic violence are always complicated. An experienced attorney can help your family navigate this difficult time to reach the most favorable outcome possible. If you have questions about your legal rights and options, call our law firm in Beverly Hills to schedule a case review today.
Contact an Experienced Beverly Hills Domestic Violence Attorney for a Consultation Today
Domestic violence can wreak havoc on your family’s life. It’s important to have a qualified Beverly Hills domestic violence attorney in your corner. At Berenji & Associates, we’re here to protect your legal rights in any way we can. Just call our law group for a case evaluation to learn more about your choices.