Pasadena Domestic Violence Lawyer Near You

Domestic violence is a critical public-safety issue in Pasadena and throughout California. Every year Pasadena Police log hundreds of domestic-violence calls, and statewide data show one in three women and one in four men experience abuse during their lifetimes.

Domestic violence can erupt anywhere – from a loft in Old Town Pasadena to a family home in Hastings Ranch or an apartment near the 210 Freeway and East Colorado Boulevard. California law defines abuse broadly, covering physical harm, threats, stalking, and emotional or financial control within intimate or family relationships.

Local officers operate under a mandatory-arrest policy: when they find probable cause of abuse, at least one person is taken into custody. That policy aims to protect victims, yet it also means innocent people can be swept into the system before all the facts are known.

We understand the fear and uncertainty on both sides. Whether you need immediate protection or a robust defense against false allegations, our Pasadena domestic-violence attorneys stand ready to guide you with compassion, clarity, and proven legal skill.

What Counts as Domestic Violence Under California Law?

California law draws a wide circle around what qualifies as domestic violence. It includes physical injury, criminal threats, stalking, harassment, and even financial or emotional control – abuse does not have to leave a bruise to be a crime.

Under Family Code § 6211 and Penal Code §§ 273.5 and 243(e)(1), the protected relationship list is long: current or former spouses, dating partners, co-parents, roommates, elders, and children in the household. That means a heated argument with a college housemate off Lake Avenue can lead to the same charges faced by a married couple living near Pasadena City College.

Some offenses are “wobblers,” meaning prosecutors may file them as misdemeanors or felonies depending on injury severity and prior history. For example, Penal Code § 273.5 – inflicting corporal injury – carries up to four years in state prison and $6,000 in fines if charged as a felony, while § 243(e)(1) – domestic battery without visible injury – can still land someone in county jail for a year.

These broad definitions protect victims, yet they also create gray areas where misunderstandings or false accusations take root. Our Pasadena criminal defense lawyers help clients on both sides clarify what really happened and why it matters under the statute. By dissecting police reports, 911 tapes, and relationship history, we shine light on the facts so that justice – not rumor – drives the outcome.

Which Charges Might You Face After a Pasadena Domestic-Violence Arrest?

Prosecutors choose from several Penal Code sections when a domestic-violence call ends in handcuffs. We explain each charge up front – so you know the stakes and the best way forward.

• Domestic Battery (§ 243(e)(1)) – Up to 1 year in county jail and $2k fine; applies even without visible injuries, so a shove near Colorado Blvd can qualify.
• Corporal Injury (§ 273.5) – Wobbler: misdemeanor or 2-4 years in prison; filed when any “traumatic condition,” such as a bruise, is documented.
• Criminal Threats (§ 422) – 3 years in prison and a potential “strike”; angry texts or voice mails often form the entire case.
• Stalking (§ 646.9) – 1 year in jail or up to 5 years in prison; contact plus a threat equals a felony if a restraining order already exists.
• Child Endangerment (§ 273a) – Up to 6 years in prison; triggered when abuse happens around kids, endangering custody rights.
• Restraining-Order Violation (§ 273.6) – 1 year in jail; even a single text to the protected person can spark a new arrest.

Our Pasadena domestic-violence attorneys scrutinize why each count was filed, then attack weak evidence or push for diversion and reduced charges.

What Happens If You’re Found Guilty of Domestic Violence?

A conviction can upend your life – even if it’s “only” a misdemeanor. Here’s what the law says in plain English:

• Misdemeanor Level – Up to 1 year in county jail, a $2,000 fine, three years of probation, and a year-long batterer’s class. Judges almost always issue a restraining order that can keep you out of your own home or away from your kids.
• Felony Level – 2-4 years in state prison and fines up to $6,000 (or $10,000 if you have a prior). You still have to finish the batterer’s class, and a felony record follows you for life. You lose gun ownership rights permanently and, if you’re not a U.S. citizen, you could face deportation.

Both tiers also trigger a 10-year gun ban and make it harder to keep certain professional licenses or win child-custody disputes.

Many charges can swing either way – misdemeanor or felony – depending on injuries and past history. We gather fast evidence, show prosecutors the full story, and push hard for the lighter option or a dismissal whenever possible.

Can the Victim Drop Domestic‐Violence Charges in Pasadena?

Victims cannot directly “drop” a domestic-violence case once police have made an arrest. Under California law the Pasadena City Prosecutor or Los Angeles County District Attorney – not the victim – decides whether charges continue.

Why? The rule protects victims from pressure or fear; prosecutors pursue the case “on behalf of the People” even when a partner recants. That said, a victim’s refusal to testify or lack of other evidence can weaken the file and lead to dismissal or a reduced plea.

We step in early to present the real story. If the evidence is thin, our attorneys highlight text messages, 911 audio, and witness statements that show reasonable doubt. If a victim truly wants leniency, we help them relay that wish through proper channels, not informal calls that prosecutors may ignore.

For victims seeking protection, we explain safer options – such as requesting a more tailored restraining order – without jeopardizing the case or their safety. And for those accused, we fight to ensure the state doesn’t press forward when proof is shaky.

How Do We Defend a Pasadena Domestic-Violence Case?

We break down the evidence piece by piece – texts, 911 audio, body-cam video – and expose gaps before the Pasadena DA files charges.

• False Claims. Custody fights or jealousy can fuel lies. We spot inconsistencies and show prosecutors the story won’t stand up in court.
• Self-Defense. If our client used force only to stop harm, we prove it with injuries, witness notes, and prior threats.
• Thin Proof. No injuries or forensics? We press for dismissal when the case rests on a single shaky statement.
• Accident. Unintentional harm is not a crime; medical records and scene photos support that.
• Rights Violations. Bad Miranda or illegal searches let us suppress key evidence.
• Mitigation. Clean record, job history, and counseling can shift a case from prison time to diversion.

Early action matters. We contact Pasadena prosecutors fast, aiming for reduced charges – or no filing at all – while protecting our client’s future and family.

What Can a Pasadena Domestic-Violence Lawyer Do for You?

Our first job is to bring clarity when emotions and legal rules collide. We act the moment you call – pulling police reports, 911 recordings, and medical records within days – so we can influence whether the district attorney files a felony, a misdemeanor, or no case at all. An independent investigation follows quickly: we interview neighbors, download phone data, and secure security-camera footage, often uncovering facts that undercut the single narrative in a police report.

Throughout the process we protect your constitutional rights. We prepare you for any police or prosecutor interview, preventing self-incriminating statements that could sink your defense, and we move to suppress any evidence gathered through illegal searches or bad Miranda warnings. Once we have a complete file, we present a mitigation packet – employment records, counseling proof, and strong character letters – to push prosecutors toward reduced charges, diversion, or outright dismissal.

If trial becomes necessary, we stand ready to cross-examine accusers, highlight forensic gaps, and argue reasonable doubt to the jury – pressure that frequently drives the DA to settle. At the same time, we handle protective-order issues on both sides: filing emergency or long-term restraining orders for victims, or seeking modifications that allow safe child exchanges for the accused. With every step, we balance firmness with empathy so the legal system works for you, not against you.

Ready to Speak with a Pasadena Domestic-Violence Attorney Today?

Getting timely legal help can change the entire trajectory of a domestic-violence case. Whether you need urgent protection from abuse or a strong defense against false allegations, swift action preserves evidence, shapes charging decisions, and safeguards your future.

We are here 24/7 to listen, advise, and act. Call (626) 416-4668 or visit us at 790 East Colorado Blvd, 9th Floor, Pasadena, CA 91101 for a free, confidential consultation with Pasadena domestic-violence attorney Tony Tung. Reach out now, and let us start protecting your rights, your safety, and your peace of mind today.