SANTA BARBARA CRIMINAL DEFENSE ATTORNEY

PENAL CODE 243(E)(1) – DOMESTIC BATTERY – SANFORD HOROWITZ CRIMINAL DEFENSE

CALIFORNIA PENAL CODE 243(E)(1): DOMESTIC BATTERY DEFENSE ATTORNEY

Living in the beautiful city of Santa Barbara may seem like a dream to most people, however, even in a city like this, nightmares can still arise. Unfortunately, incidents of domestic violence have been trending upward since the the stay at home orders caused by COVID-19 and are a valid concern.

If you have been arrested for domestic battery, it does not automatically  mean that you are guilty. It’s important to vigorously fight a domestic battery charge because a criminal conviction will stay on your record and can adversely affect job and educational opportunities down the road.

As a former Prosecutor for the District Attorney’s Offices in both Santa Barbara and San Diego Counties, Sanford Horowitz and his legal team will offer you a free consultation, investigate the evidence against you, and recommend practical steps to achieve the best possible results in your case.

CALIFORNIA PENAL CODE 243(E)(1):

Domestic battery, also referred to as “spousal battery” and “spousal assault”, is charged under California Penal Code 243(e)(1) and is the most common misdemeanor offense pertaining to domestic violence allegations.

In order for you to be guilty of domestic battery in Santa Barbara, the prosocuter must be able to prove that your behavior fits the legal definition of that crime.

The elements of Penal Code 243(e)(1) are:

1. You willfully touched another person,
2. That touching was harmful or offensive, and
3. The person you touched was your intimate partner or former intimate partner

“Willfully” means you acted on purpose or willingly. You do not need to have intended to

1. Break the law, or
2. Inflict injury on someone else

“Harmful or offensive” touching doesn’t even have to cause injury or pain—as long as it was done in a disrespectful or angry manner. In this way, the crime is similar to the crime of Penal Code 242 PC battery.

The crime of domestic battery can only be committed against someone with whom you have an intimate relationship. Examples of an intimate relationship include:

• A spouse or former spouse
• A person with whom you are cohabiting (i.e., someone you are living with)
• A fiancé or fiancée
• A person who is the parent of your child
• A person with whom you have, or have previously had, a “dating relationship”

Most of these relationships are easy to prove. However, it can be difficult to determine if two people were actually cohabiting, or involved in a dating relationship.

^{Examples of behavior that could lead to criminal liability under PC 243(e)(1):}

• ^{You push your boyfriend during a fight}
• ^{You are feeling frustrated with your ex-wife and grab her shirt, ripping it}
• ^{You are angry with your girlfriend for cheating, so you pull her hair and scratch her face}

LEGAL PENALTIES FOR DOMESTIC BATTERY

California domestic battery is a misdemeanor, and if convicted, you may face the following penalties:

• Up to one (1) year in county jail,
• A maximum two thousand dollar ($2,000) fine, and/or
• Misdemeanor (summary) probation.

It is common for defendants to receive probation (also known as a “suspended sentence”). If this occurs, you will be required, as a condition of probation, to complete a minimum one-year batterer’s treatment program.

If  you receive probation as a sentence, the court may decide that—instead of a $2,000 fine—you must pay:

1. Up to five thousand dollars ($5,000) to a battered woman’s shelter, and/or
2. Any reasonable expenses that the victim incurred as a result of the offense, including the cost of counseling.

Finally, if you are convicted of Penal Code 243(e)(1) spousal battery for a second or subsequent time—and you are given probation as a sentence—you still will be required to serve at least forty-eight (48) hours in county jail. The only way around this requirement is if you can convince the judge that there is “good cause” why you should not serve that time.

FIGHTING A DOMESTIC BATTERY CHARGE

• Self-Defense
• Defense of Others

The legal defense of self-defense/defense of others applies when all of the following are true:

1. You reasonably believed that you or someone else was in imminent danger of suffering bodily injury or being touched unlawfully;
2. You reasonably believed that the immediate use of force was necessary to defend against that danger; and
3. You used no more force than was reasonably necessary to defend against that danger.
4. If you can prove all of the above facts, then you are not guilty of PC 243(e)(1) spousal battery.

self defense

FALSE ACCUSATIONS

accident

If you are facing a charge of domestic violence, Sanford Horowitz Criminal Defense, P.C. knows the law and the best strategies to defend you. We have extensive experience representing clients throughout the Santa Barbara area and want to help you understand the charges you are facing, as well as what your rights are under the law. If you’d like to schedule a consultation about your case, call 805-452-7214 or fill out this contact form.

domestic violence DEFENSE ATTORNEYS IN santa barbara