When you’re facing domestic violence charges in Inglewood, California, your future, freedom, and reputation hang in the balance. The consequences of a domestic violence conviction extend far beyond criminal penalties—they can permanently impact your employment opportunities, professional licenses, child custody rights, immigration status, and your ability to own firearms. At Tu Defensor Criminalista, we understand the serious nature of domestic violence allegations and provide aggressive, strategic defense representation to protect your rights and fight for the best possible outcome in your case.
Inglewood is a vibrant, diverse city in Los Angeles County with a population of approximately 102,774 residents. Located in the heart of Southern California, Inglewood has experienced significant transformation in recent years, becoming home to world-class venues like SoFi Stadium and the revitalized Hollywood Park development. However, like many urban communities in Los Angeles County, Inglewood faces challenges related to domestic violence and intimate partner violence.
According to the California Department of Justice[1], there were 160,357 domestic violence-related calls for assistance across California in 2023, translating to approximately 6.1 calls per 1,000 adults ages 18-69. In Los Angeles County specifically[2], the rate stands at 5.6 domestic violence calls for assistance per 1,000 adults, slightly below the state average but still representing thousands of incidents annually.
The demographics of Inglewood reflect a diverse community where domestic violence affects residents across all backgrounds. According to U.S. Census data[3], Inglewood’s population is 38.9% Black or African American, 26% Hispanic or Latino (other race), 11% Two or More Races, 8.54% White (Hispanic), and 5.61% White (Non-Hispanic). Research from the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health[4] indicates that domestic violence impacts all demographic groups, though some communities experience disproportionate rates of reported incidents.
Statewide statistics from the National Coalition Against Domestic Violence[5] reveal that 34.9% of women and 31.1% of men in California will experience intimate partner violence or stalking at some point in their lifetime. Among Los Angeles County adults aged 18 and over, 20% of women and 13% of men[6] have reported being physically or sexually abused by an intimate partner.
These statistics underscore why domestic violence allegations are taken so seriously by law enforcement and prosecutors in Inglewood and throughout Los Angeles County. When you’re accused of domestic violence, you need an experienced criminal defense attorney who understands both the legal complexities and the sensitive personal dynamics involved in these cases.
California law defines domestic violence through several different statutes, each addressing specific types of conduct and carrying different penalties. Understanding the precise nature of the charges against you is the first critical step in building an effective defense strategy.
California Penal Code Section 273.5 makes it a crime to willfully inflict corporal injury resulting in a traumatic condition upon a victim who is or was your:
“Corporal injury” means any physical injury, and a “traumatic condition” means a wound or bodily injury, whether minor or serious, caused by the direct application of physical force. This can include bruising, scratches, cuts, broken bones, or any visible physical trauma.
Penal Code § 273.5 is what’s known as a “wobbler” offense, meaning prosecutors have discretion to charge it as either a misdemeanor or a felony depending on the circumstances of the case and your criminal history.
Misdemeanor Penalties for PC § 273.5:
Felony Penalties for PC § 273.5:
The penalties increase significantly if you have prior domestic violence convictions or if the victim sustained great bodily injury.
Penal Code Section 243(e)(1) prohibits battery against a current or former intimate partner. Unlike PC § 273.5, this statute does not require that the victim sustain a visible injury—any unlawful, harmful, or offensive touching is sufficient.
Domestic battery under PC § 243(e)(1) is always charged as a misdemeanor and applies when you commit battery against:
Penalties for Domestic Battery:
Even though domestic battery is “only” a misdemeanor, a conviction still creates a permanent criminal record and can have severe consequences for your employment, professional licenses, immigration status, and child custody rights.
When domestic violence allegations involve injury to a child, prosecutors may file charges under Penal Code Section 273d, which prohibits inflicting corporal punishment or injury on a child resulting in a traumatic condition.
PC § 273d is also a wobbler offense, punishable by:
As a Misdemeanor:
As a Felony:
Child endangerment charges under PC § 273a can arise in domestic violence cases when a child is present during an alleged incident or when a parent’s conduct places a child at risk of harm, even if the child is not directly injured.
This is also a wobbler offense with penalties ranging from county jail time for a misdemeanor to substantial state prison time for a felony.
Domestic violence cases sometimes involve allegations of stalking, which Penal Code Section 646.9 defines as willfully and maliciously following, harassing, or threatening another person to the point where they fear for their safety or the safety of their family.
According to the National Coalition Against Domestic Violence[5], 40% of stalking victims nationwide are stalked by a current or former intimate partner. In California, stalking is taken extremely seriously and can be charged as either a misdemeanor or a felony.
Misdemeanor Stalking Penalties:
Felony Stalking Penalties:
Making criminal threats against an intimate partner can be charged under PC § 422. This law prohibits threatening to kill or seriously injure another person when the threat:
Criminal threats is a wobbler offense that can result in up to one year in county jail (misdemeanor) or up to three years in state prison (felony). If charged as a felony and you used a deadly weapon when making the threat, this becomes a “strike” under California’s Three Strikes Law.
Beyond the immediate criminal penalties, a domestic violence conviction carries numerous collateral consequences that can impact virtually every aspect of your life:
Under California and federal law, anyone convicted of a domestic violence offense is permanently prohibited from owning, purchasing, or possessing firearms. For misdemeanor convictions under PC § 273.5 or PC § 243(e)(1), you face a 10-year firearm ban in California. For felony domestic violence convictions, the prohibition is lifetime under both state and federal law.
Research shows[5] that 32.1% of women in California domestic violence shelters report that their abusive partners used a gun to harm, threaten, or scare them, which is why California has implemented strict firearm restrictions for domestic violence offenders.
For non-citizens, a domestic violence conviction can have devastating immigration consequences. Under federal immigration law, domestic violence offenses are considered crimes involving moral turpitude (CIMTs) and crimes of violence, which can result in:
Even lawful permanent residents (green card holders) can be deported for domestic violence convictions. If you are not a U.S. citizen, it is absolutely critical that your defense attorney understands immigration law and works to achieve a result that protects your immigration status.
A domestic violence conviction creates a rebuttable presumption that it is not in the child’s best interest for the convicted parent to have custody. While this presumption can be overcome with evidence, it significantly disadvantages you in family court proceedings.
California Family Code § 3044 specifically provides that when there is a finding of domestic violence, the court must presume that an award of sole or joint custody to the abusive parent is detrimental to the child’s best interest. You will have the burden of proving by a preponderance of the evidence that custody or visitation is in the child’s best interest.
Even if you obtain visitation rights, the court may impose conditions such as:
Many employers conduct background checks, and a domestic violence conviction will appear on your criminal record. This can result in:
For professionals licensed by California regulatory boards, a domestic violence conviction may trigger disciplinary proceedings that could result in license suspension or revocation.
Landlords commonly conduct criminal background checks on prospective tenants. A domestic violence conviction can make it extremely difficult to rent an apartment or home, as many landlords have policies against renting to individuals with violent criminal convictions.
In virtually all domestic violence cases, the alleged victim will obtain either an Emergency Protective Order (EPO), Temporary Restraining Order (TRO), or Domestic Violence Restraining Order (DVRO). These orders can:
Violating a restraining order is itself a crime under Penal Code § 273.6, punishable by up to one year in jail for a first offense and up to three years in prison for subsequent violations or violations involving violence.
At Tu Defensor Criminalista, we have successfully defended hundreds of clients against domestic violence allegations using a wide range of defense strategies. Every case is unique, but some of the most effective defenses include:
Unfortunately, false accusations of domestic violence are not uncommon. People make false allegations for many reasons:
We thoroughly investigate the alleged victim’s motivations, credibility, and any prior history of making false accusations. We examine text messages, emails, social media posts, phone records, and other evidence that may reveal the allegations are fabricated or exaggerated.
You have the legal right to use reasonable force to defend yourself or another person from imminent harm. If you were acting in self-defense when the alleged incident occurred, this is a complete defense to domestic violence charges.
To establish self-defense, we must show that:
We gather evidence including witness statements, photographs of your injuries, medical records, 911 recordings, and surveillance video to demonstrate that you acted in lawful self-defense.
For charges under Penal Code § 273.5, the prosecution must prove beyond a reasonable doubt that the alleged victim sustained a “traumatic condition”—a visible physical injury. If the alleged victim has no visible injuries or only minor injuries that are inconsistent with their allegations, we can argue that the prosecution has failed to meet its burden of proof.
We may retain expert witnesses, including medical professionals and forensic specialists, to testify that the injuries (if any) are:
Many injuries occur accidentally during heated arguments or physical struggles. If the alleged victim’s injuries were accidental rather than intentional, you should not be convicted of domestic violence.
For example, if during an argument you gestured with your hands and accidentally struck the alleged victim, or if the alleged victim tripped and fell during a verbal dispute, these would be accidents rather than willful infliction of injury.
The prosecution bears the burden of proving every element of the charged offense beyond a reasonable doubt. In many domestic violence cases, the only “evidence” is the alleged victim’s statement. If there are:
We can argue that the prosecution’s evidence is insufficient to sustain a conviction. We cross-examine the alleged victim to highlight inconsistencies, implausibilities, and lack of corroboration.
If law enforcement violated your constitutional rights during the investigation or arrest, we can file motions to suppress evidence or dismiss the charges entirely. Common constitutional violations in domestic violence cases include:
If we can show that evidence was obtained in violation of your Fourth, Fifth, or Sixth Amendment rights, that evidence may be excluded from trial, often resulting in dismissal of the charges.
At Tu Defensor Criminalista, we provide comprehensive, personalized defense representation tailored to your unique circumstances. Our approach includes:
We understand that time is critical in domestic violence cases. We begin working on your case immediately to:
In many cases, our early intervention can result in charges being reduced or never filed at all.
We conduct our own independent investigation of the allegations, which may include:
Our goal is to uncover every piece of evidence that supports your defense and undermines the prosecution’s case.
We leverage our extensive experience and relationships with Inglewood prosecutors to negotiate favorable outcomes whenever possible. Depending on the strength of the evidence and other factors, we may be able to secure:
When negotiation does not produce an acceptable result, we are fully prepared to take your case to trial. Our attorneys are experienced trial lawyers who know how to:
We have achieved numerous not guilty verdicts and hung juries in domestic violence trials.
Even if you are convicted or accept a plea agreement, we work to minimize the collateral consequences by:
Understanding the scope of domestic violence in your community can help contextualize your case. According to data from the Los Angeles County Domestic Violence Council[6]:
Among high school students in the Los Angeles Unified School District, 6.7% reported experiencing physical dating violence[7], according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s 2017 Youth Risk Behavior Survey.
The Los Angeles County Department of Public Health[4] found that in 2019, rates of reported domestic violence incidents per 1,000 residents varied by demographic group:
Women accounted for 76.5% of domestic violence victims in Los Angeles County in 2019, according to the same report.
These statistics demonstrate that domestic violence is a serious public health issue affecting all communities in Inglewood and Los Angeles County. They also explain why prosecutors and judges take these cases so seriously—and why you need an experienced defense attorney who can navigate this challenging legal landscape.
Domestic violence cases in Inglewood are prosecuted in the Inglewood Courthouse, located at:
Inglewood Courthouse One Regent Street Inglewood, CA 90301
The Inglewood Courthouse is part of the Los Angeles County Superior Court system. Understanding the court process can help reduce anxiety and allow you to make informed decisions about your case.
The arraignment is your first court appearance. At the arraignment:
We always advise clients to plead not guilty at the arraignment. This preserves all of your legal rights and allows us time to investigate the case, review the evidence, and negotiate with prosecutors.
At the arraignment, the judge will typically issue a Criminal Protective Order (CPO), also called a restraining order. This order commonly includes:
Violating a protective order is a crime that can result in arrest and additional charges. We can file motions to modify protective orders to allow “peaceful contact” when appropriate, such as when you and the alleged victim have children together and need to communicate about custody and visitation.
After the arraignment, there will be one or more pretrial conferences. These hearings allow your attorney to:
The vast majority of criminal cases are resolved at the pretrial stage through negotiation. However, we always prepare every case as if it will go to trial, which puts us in the strongest possible negotiating position.
If your case proceeds to trial, you have the constitutional right to a jury trial. The prosecution must prove every element of the charges beyond a reasonable doubt. At trial:
If the jury finds you not guilty, you are acquitted and the case is over. If the jury convicts you, the case proceeds to sentencing.
If you are convicted or plead guilty or no contest, the judge will sentence you at a sentencing hearing. The judge will consider:
We present compelling arguments for lenient sentencing, including character letters, evidence of your positive contributions to the community, completion of voluntary counseling, and other mitigating factors.
In some domestic violence cases, defendants may be eligible for diversion programs that allow them to avoid a conviction:
California Penal Code § 1001.50 allows courts to defer prosecution and refer certain defendants to counseling for up to two years. If you successfully complete the program, the charges are dismissed and you avoid a conviction.
Not all defendants are eligible for pretrial diversion in domestic violence cases, but we explore this option whenever possible.
Under certain circumstances, the court may allow you to enter a plea and then defer entry of judgment while you complete counseling and other requirements. If you successfully complete the program, you can withdraw your plea and the charges are dismissed.
Even if you are convicted, we can often secure probation instead of jail or prison time. Probation conditions typically include:
While probation is restrictive, it allows you to remain in the community, maintain employment, and care for your family.
Protective orders are a critical component of virtually all domestic violence cases in Inglewood. There are several types of protective orders you may encounter:
An EPO is issued by law enforcement at the scene of an alleged domestic violence incident. It is effective immediately and lasts for 5-7 days. An EPO typically requires you to:
A TRO is issued by a judge, typically at the alleged victim’s request, without advance notice to you. It is effective immediately upon service and lasts until a court hearing (usually within 20-25 days). At that hearing, the court will decide whether to issue a permanent restraining order.
After a hearing where both sides can present evidence, the court may issue a DVRO that can last up to five years. A DVRO can:
A CPO is issued by a criminal court judge as a condition of bail or probation in a domestic violence case. It remains in effect throughout the pendency of the criminal case and, if you are convicted, up to 10 years.
We can fight protective orders at several stages:
Having a protective order modified or terminated can make an enormous difference in your quality of life, especially when you have children with the alleged victim.
When your freedom, family, and future are at stake, you need a criminal defense attorney with:
Our attorneys have decades of combined experience defending clients against domestic violence charges in Inglewood, Los Angeles County, and throughout Southern California. We have handled thousands of domestic violence cases, from simple misdemeanor batteries to serious felony charges involving great bodily injury.
We have achieved outstanding results for our clients, including:
We practice regularly in the Inglewood Courthouse and have established relationships with judges, prosecutors, and court staff. This familiarity with the local legal landscape allows us to navigate your case more effectively and anticipate the strategies and arguments that will resonate with decision-makers.
We treat every client as an individual with unique circumstances, concerns, and goals. We take the time to listen to your story, understand your priorities, and develop a defense strategy tailored to your needs. You will work directly with an experienced attorney, not a paralegal or case manager.
We are fluent in both English and Spanish (Hablamos Español) and can communicate with you and your family members in the language you are most comfortable with. This ensures clear communication and helps us build the strongest possible attorney-client relationship.
Domestic violence arrests often happen at night or on weekends. We are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week to provide immediate assistance when you need it most. We can meet with you in custody, post bail, and begin working on your defense right away.
We understand that being accused of domestic violence is an emotionally difficult experience. These allegations often arise out of complex relationship dynamics, and we approach every case with sensitivity, empathy, and without judgment. Our goal is not only to defend you legally but also to provide support and guidance during this challenging time.
While the alleged victim cannot “drop” charges once they have been filed, prosecutors have discretion to dismiss charges if they determine the evidence is insufficient or prosecution is not in the interests of justice. We work to persuade prosecutors to dismiss charges by presenting exculpatory evidence, demonstrating weaknesses in the case, and highlighting factors that weigh against prosecution.
Even if the alleged victim does not want to press charges or testify, prosecutors can still pursue the case using other evidence such as 911 recordings, police observations, photographs, and statements the alleged victim made to police. However, cases are more difficult to prove without the cooperation of the alleged victim, which can create leverage for negotiating a favorable resolution.
If there is a protective order or restraining order in place, you cannot contact the alleged victim even if they initiate contact with you. Violating a protective order is a crime, and prosecutors routinely file additional charges when defendants have any contact with alleged victims. The only exception is if the protective order has been formally modified by the court to allow peaceful contact.
Not necessarily. Jail time is possible for both misdemeanor and felony domestic violence convictions, but many defendants receive probation instead of incarceration, especially for first offenses or when mitigating factors are present. We work to secure alternatives to jail such as probation, diversion, community service, and counseling.
Domestic violence convictions can have severe immigration consequences including deportation, inadmissibility, and denial of naturalization or visa applications. It is critical that your defense attorney understands immigration law and structures plea agreements to avoid triggering these consequences whenever possible.
Yes, in many cases. California Penal Code § 1203.4 allows individuals who successfully complete probation to petition for dismissal of the conviction. While an expunged conviction will still appear on your record in certain contexts (such as professional licensing and immigration proceedings), it can help with employment and housing. We assist clients with expungement petitions as soon as they become eligible.
A batterer’s intervention program (also called a “52-week program”) is a counseling program required for most domestic violence convictions. The program involves weekly group sessions focused on accepting responsibility, understanding the dynamics of abuse, developing communication skills, and learning non-violent conflict resolution. Completion of the program is mandatory for probation.
No. Under California and federal law, individuals convicted of domestic violence offenses are prohibited from owning, purchasing, or possessing firearms. For misdemeanor convictions, the prohibition lasts 10 years in California. For felony convictions, the prohibition is lifetime under both state and federal law.
Exercise your right to remain silent and immediately request an attorney. Do not make any statements to police, as anything you say can and will be used against you. Contact an experienced criminal defense attorney as soon as possible. We can meet with you in custody, post bail, and begin building your defense immediately.
Legal fees vary depending on the complexity of the case, whether it goes to trial, and other factors. We offer free consultations to discuss your case and provide transparent information about our fees. We also offer payment plans to make quality legal representation accessible.
If you or someone you know is experiencing domestic violence, the following resources provide support and assistance:
These organizations provide crisis intervention, safety planning, emergency shelter, counseling, legal advocacy, and other services for victims of domestic violence.
If you have been arrested or charged with domestic violence in Inglewood, California, time is of the essence. The sooner we begin working on your case, the better your chances of achieving a favorable outcome. At Tu Defensor Criminalista, we provide aggressive, strategic defense representation to protect your rights, your freedom, and your future.
We offer free, confidential consultations to discuss your case, answer your questions, and explain your legal options. Our attorneys are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week to provide immediate assistance when you need it most.
Don’t face domestic violence charges alone. Contact Tu Defensor Criminalista today and let us fight for you.
Attorney Armando Josué Cespedes is rated 5.0 on Avvo, with 34 five-star reviews from clients praising his dedication, professionalism, and results. Many note how his trial skills and attention to detail led to reduced charges or outright dismissals.
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