Domestic Violence

California Domestic Violence Defense Lawyer

Violence in the home can be especially frightening, and the story can be complex. Many people do not understand how domestic abuse charges work. Most people understand charges that involve physical battery, even if they do not fully appreciate the consequences. Most people do not understand that, even if you did not physically touch or harm someone, you can be charged with making terrorist threats of violence or death. This charge, and all other domestic violence charges, can have life-altering consequences.

The law office of Mesirow & Fink is dedicated to helping individuals and families in the San Jose area who are dealing with domestic violence. If your spouse, ex-spouse, girlfriend/boyfriend or significant other has accused you of domestic violence or child abuse, contact our San Jose law office to schedule a free consultation.

Defense attorney Charles Mesirow has more than 35 years of experience handling California criminal cases. A former senior prosecutor for the Santa Clara County District Attorney's Office, he has developed a thorough knowledge of the law that could make a decisive difference in your case. He has been certified in criminal law by the State Bar of California Board of Legal Specialization since 1977, a qualification held by only a small percentage of lawyers in the state.

Mr. Mesirow and our team of lawyers and staff are highly experienced in helping people who have been arrested and charged with crimes of domestic violence, such as:

• Assault and battery
• Spousal abuse or child abuse
• Sexual assault/Sexual abuse
• Making terrorist threats
• Violation of a restraining order or protection order

Early and Effective Intervention Could Change the Outcome of Your Case

The police are not always interested in getting both sides of the story when they come out to a house to make an arrest, but we are interested in your story. We will listen to you and learn as much as we can about the history of your relationship and about what happened.

In many domestic violence cases, the person who brought the complaint later wants to drop the charges. If you have already been arrested, however, it is now up to the district attorney, not your accuser, to decide whether to file or to dismiss charges. By knowing the facts, we may be able to negotiate your case with the DA to prevent charges from being filed.

Limiting the Negative Impact of a Domestic Violence Conviction

Depending upon the nature of your domestic abuse charge, you could be facing a number of additional consequences. For example, a felony conviction for some types of domestic violence is a strike under California's Three Strikes Law. If you have two prior serious or felony convictions, you could face a mandatory life sentence. If you are convicted of a sex crime related to domestic violence, you face mandatory lifetime sex offender registration. Our goal is always to keep you out of prison and off a sex offender registry list.

Contact a Criminal Defense Attorney at Mesirow & Fink

If you have been arrested for domestic violence or violating a restraining order, you need an experienced criminal defense lawyer on your side. Contact Mesirow & Fink by phone at 408-286-1200, toll free at 888-312-2293 or by e-mail.

At the San Jose, California, criminal defense firm of Mesirow & Fink, we represent clients in communities throughout Santa Clara County, Silicon Valley and the South Bay in communities such as San Jose, Palo Alto, Sunnyvale, Santa Clara, Mountain View, Milpitas, Cupertino, Gilroy, Campbell, Morgan Hill, Saratoga, Los Gatos, San Mateo, Los Altos, Redwood City, Santa Cruz and Fremont.