Disagreements and conflicts are unavoidable in a relationship. However, if escalated beyond a certain level, conflicts can lead to domestic violence accusations. If and when it happens, you need to act fast and take steps to defend yourself. Given below are four tips from an experienced California domestic violence lawyer on how you can prepare for a domestic violence case.

Get a Trusted Lawyer on Your Side

If you are facing charges of domestic violence in California, getting legal help should be your topmost priority. Even if you think that the charges against you are trivial, you still need a lawyer as it is never a good idea to try to defend yourself. Moreover, even a misdemeanor conviction can have lifelong consequences in California. It is vitally important for you to hire an experienced California domestic violence lawyer as soon as you can so you have the best chance to fight the charges and get the optimal outcome.

Make Notes and Gather Evidence

Write down everything you can remember about the incident and events leading up to the incident. If you have injuries of your own (which were caused by your partner), make a note of all the injuries and take photos. If your partner damaged any of your personal belongings during the incident, make sure you take photos of them as well. Find out if anyone witnessed the incident and get their contact information.

At the same time, do not try to conceal or destroy any piece of evidence that you think might incriminate you. Destroying evidence can result in additional charges, as well as strengthen the domestic violence case against you.  This will make it harder for your lawyer to defend you.

Comply with the Protective Order

If a protective order has been issued against you, make sure you comply with all the conditions imposed by the court. Even a technical violation – where there is no criminal intent on your part – can result in a misdemeanor charge. If the violation involves physical violence, you could be charged with a felony. Go over the terms of the order carefully with your California domestic violence lawyer and make sure you know what you are allowed to do and what you are not allowed to do.

Do Not Get Into Trouble

The last thing you want to do while facing a criminal charge is to be charged with another crime. Even if the charges are not serious, the very fact that you broke the law can be used by the prosecution to portray you as a reckless person with poor impulse control. Keep a low profile and do not get into any kind of trouble, especially while your case is being resolved.

Looking for a California Domestic Violence Lawyer You Can Rely On?

When you are facing domestic violence charges, you need a lawyer who can protect your rights, defend you aggressively, and go the extra mile to achieve the best outcome possible. At Paladin Legal Defenders, we have a team of criminal defense lawyers who have over 60 years of combined experience and are rated highly by their peers as well as their clients. Whether you are facing misdemeanor or felony domestic violence charges, we can devise the right strategy to defend you.

To discuss your case and find out what your options are, call us today at 714-536-9988 or contact us online and schedule a free consultation with a seasoned Orange County California domestic violence lawyer, from our firm.