Palm Springs Domestic Violence Attorney
Domestic violence is never an appropriate response, regardless of the family conflict occurring. In any situation, domestic violence survivors have the right to legally protect themselves from the abusive partner or family member. California takes domestic violence cases very seriously and will aggressively pursue criminal charges against alleged offenders. Family law issues such as visitation and custody can also be affected by domestic violence within a relationship.
Your Domestic Violence Attorneys in Palm Springs, CA
Domestic violence legal cases are not easy to handle, especially when you are trying to recover from the abuse you experienced. An experienced attorney can help you understand all of your options and resources while providing competent representation in your case. There are many areas covered in family law court, so it is vital to choose an attorney with experience in domestic violence cases.
The Palm Springs domestic violence attorneys at the Law Offices of Athina K. Powers have decades of direct experience that we can apply to your situation to get you the best possible outcome. We can assist you with securing a restraining order, pressing domestic assault charges, and even safely filing for divorce. Our team can offer services in multiple languages, including Spanish, French, Italian, Greek, and English, to ensure you get the assistance you need, regardless of your heritage or native language.
What Is Domestic Violence in California?
Abuse or harm inflicted by a member of your household is considered domestic violence in California. This means the perpetrator could be a family member, partner, roommate, or even an adult child. The most recognizable form of domestic violence is physical:
- Punching
- Hitting
- Biting
- Kicking
- Pushing
- Sexual coercion or assault
It is vital to remember that domestic violence does not only include physical violence and all forms of domestic violence are illegal. Non physical domestic violence examples include, but are not limited to:
- Stalking
- Intimidation and domination
- Withholding money or affection
- Manipulation
- Pressuring you to engage in activities you are not comfortable with
If you or a loved one are a victim of any type of abuse within your home, contact the authorities as soon as it is safe to do so. To ensure you or your loved one stay safe, your next step should be to contact an experienced Palm Springs lawyer.
Proving Domestic Violence Cases
For a court to charge an abuser with domestic violence, there must be proof of their actions. Though the words of a victim carry weight, it is not often enough to bring domestic abusers to justice. Working with an attorney affords you their years of experience to build a solid case against your abuser. Evidence that can help build your case includes:
- Pictures of your injuries
- Medical records that address any injury from the abuse
- Abusive tests, letters, messages, or emails from the offender
- Any witnesses that would be willing to testify in court
- Pictures of property damage resulting from the abuse
You are not to blame if you do not have this evidence — it is understandable that you prioritized surviving. It is never too late to begin collecting evidence that can help your lawyer prove that the defendant is a danger to you and should not return to your home.
Resources Available for Domestic Violence Survivors
There are many resources available in California for those experiencing domestic abuse. When looking for information related to domestic violence assistance, remember that your browsing history may not be safe. You can delete your browsing history, but even this may not keep your internet history secret. You can also use a public or trusted person’s resource if this is a concern for your situation. The following list is not all the resources available, but finding a suitable option for your situation is likely:
- California Partnership to End Domestic Violence. This organization is the recognized domestic violence coalition of California. They represent over 1,000 allied groups, organizations, and advocates throughout the state to end domestic violence and provide resources to those in need. They do not provide direct help. Instead, they provide referrals to local programs that could help. They have a map that organizes the state’s domestic violence resources by location so you can find resources close to you.
- National Domestic Violence Hotline. This national resource operates 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, and 365 days a year. It offers routes to call, chat, or text to reach someone that can offer free and compassionate support, crisis intervention information, referral services, and education in over 200 languages. The website has a fast way to close the webpage without being able to easily return to it.
Though these are only two potential resources, both have extensive knowledge relating to domestic violence. They have routes to confidentially connect you with resources local to you so you can speak with a domestic violence counselor, even if you are not ready to take legal action yet.
Domestic Violence Restraining Orders
A domestic violence restraining order is issued by the courts against a person you have a close relationship with to protect you from abuse or the threat of abuse. There are only two conditions required when asking for a domestic violence restraining order: a person has abused you/threatened abuse and you have a close relationship with that person (spouse, partner, ex-spouse, cohabitating partners, close relative, etc.). Anyone over the age of 12 can file for a restraining order, and a parent can file a restraining order on their child’s behalf.
A restraining order can do a lot once it is filed, such as:
- Requiring the person to not contact or go near you, others that live with you, your children, or other family members
- Requiring the person to move out of your house, even if the house is shared
- Prohibiting the person from having a firearm
- Making the person return or release certain property
- Transferring any cell phone number and account rights to the protected person
- Making the person complete a 52-week batterer intervention program
A restraining order cannot end a marriage or domestic partnership, nor does it establish the parentage of your children.
The Law Offices of Athina K. Powers: Let Us Help With Your Domestic Violence Case
Being a domestic violence survivor is nothing to be ashamed of. The blame rests only on the abuser. They are well versed in methods to keep you questioning yourself, but taking any step to protect yourself is a noteworthy accomplishment. Contact the Law Offices of Athina K. Powers today so we can discuss your case and options to keep you safe.
