Burbank Attorney
Domestic Violence Attorney in Burbank
You raise your voice while disciplining your child, or you reach for your partner during a heated argument when they trip and fall, and a concerned neighbor calls the police. In both situations, you may suddenly find yourself facing domestic violence charges. Even misunderstandings can result in arrest, protective orders, and severe criminal consequences.
If you’re in this position, an effective Burbank domestic violence attorney can protect your rights, challenge the evidence, and fight for your future.
What Happens After a Domestic Violence Arrest in Burbank?
If the police arrest you in Burbank, they will usually take you to the Burbank jail for booking. Your arraignment often follows at the Burbank Courthouse. Officers follow strict response guidelines set by the Burbank Police Department, including separating parties, documenting visible injuries, and frequently securing a temporary emergency protective order (EPO) immediately.
The Burbank City Attorney’s Office, known for aggressively pursuing domestic violence cases, typically handles the prosecution. For the best chance of protecting your rights, act quickly with the help of a Burbank domestic violence defense lawyer.
How California Defines Domestic Violence
California law treats domestic violence allegations seriously and defines them broadly under multiple statutes. The California Family Code sets out who is protected under domestic violence laws, including spouses, co-parents, cohabitants, current or former dating partners, and close family members. Several California Penal Code sections outline the offenses prosecutors commonly charge in Burbank courts.
Key Domestic Violence Charges
- Domestic battery. This charge applies when physical force is allegedly used against an intimate partner, even if there is no visible injury. The presence or absence of medical evidence can play a critical role in these cases.
- Corporal injury to a spouse or cohabitant. This charge often applies when prosecutors believe there is evidence of actual harm. It requires proof of a physical injury that causes a “traumatic condition,” such as bruising, swelling, or visible marks.
- Child endangerment. Endangerment arises when alleged domestic violence occurs in the presence of minors or places them at risk of harm, triggering additional investigative and reporting requirements.
- Criminal threats. Verbal or written threats intended to cause another person reasonable fear of death or serious bodily injury, regardless of whether physical contact occurs, can lead to this charge.
- Stalking. Actions such as repeated following, monitoring, or harassment that cause a person to reasonably fear for their safety are considered stalking. Increasingly, this includes digital tracking and repeated unwanted contact.
Because these charges often overlap, prosecutors may file multiple counts from the same incident, making cases more complex and increasing potential legal exposure. This layered approach highlights why working with a Burbank domestic violence defense attorney is necessary to evaluate the specific facts and challenge overbroad or unsupported allegations.
How a Burbank Domestic Violence Lawyer Can Help
The criminal justice system is not on your side when you are accused of domestic violence. Prosecutors and the Burbank City Attorney’s Office are committed to pursuing these cases. An experienced Burbank domestic battery lawyer can provide strategic representation that includes:
Intervening with the Prosecutor
Acting as a liaison with the City Attorney’s Office to present your side of the story and argue for reduced charges or a complete dismissal before the case even goes to court.
Challenging the Evidence
Examining police reports, witness statements, and physical evidence for inconsistencies, improper collection, or lack of probable cause for arrest.
Investigating the Accusation
Launching a comprehensive investigation to uncover details the police might have overlooked. False accusations are sometimes made in divorce or child custody disputes, or driven by anger or revenge. Your lawyer can introduce evidence of such motives to challenge the accuser’s claims.
Domestic violence prosecutions in Burbank are highly localized. Knowing how the Burbank Police Department investigates these incidents, how prosecutors handle filings, and how judges approach sentencing can significantly impact case outcomes.
Our team is familiar with local processes, including bail hearings at the Burbank Courthouse and negotiations with prosecutors for reduced charges or alternative sentencing options, when available.
What are the Penalties of a Domestic Violence Conviction in Burbank?
Domestic violence convictions in Burbank carry serious and lasting consequences. The outcome depends on the charges in the case, whether it is a misdemeanor or felony, along with any prior history and the facts surrounding the incident.
For misdemeanor domestic battery charges, potential consequences may include:
- Up to one year in the county jail,
- Fines up to $2,000,
- Enrollment in a 52-week batterer’s intervention or counseling program, and
- Short- or long-term protective orders limiting contact with specific individuals.
For felony domestic violence cases, the stakes are even higher. A conviction can result in:
- Two, three, or four years in state prison;
- Fines up to $6,000;
- Mandatory completion of court-ordered programs; and
- Extended restraining orders that significantly impact daily life.
The consequences of a domestic violence conviction extend far beyond the courtroom and can affect almost every aspect of life. In California, such a conviction may restrict your right to own or possess firearms. It can also impact your professional licenses and create challenges when seeking employment or housing.
A conviction may lead to immigration issues for non-citizens, including visa complications, the possibility of deportation, or ineligibility for future immigration benefits.
Building a Strong Defense in Burbank Domestic Violence Cases
Defending against domestic violence charges requires a thorough investigation, in-depth case analysis, and strategies specifically adapted to your unique circumstances. We build a strong defense based on factual evidence, not assumptions, by identifying weaknesses in the prosecution’s case. Defenses include:
Protecting Yourself or Others From Harm (Self-Defense)
California law recognizes your right to protect yourself from imminent danger, even when the alleged aggressor is an intimate partner. To establish self-defense, your attorney will examine the facts to show:
- You reasonably believed you or your children were in immediate danger of physical harm;
- You reasonably believed using force was necessary to protect yourself or your children; and
- The force used was proportionate to the threat you faced.
911 recordings, injury photographs, medical reports, and witness statements are often crucial pieces of evidence in supporting self-defense claims.
False Accusations and Motive
Domestic violence cases sometimes stem from exaggerated or fabricated allegations. Disputes involving divorce, child custody, immigration issues, or retaliation can create strong incentives to make false claims. When this happens, a skilled defense involves:
- Comparing statements in police reports, 911 calls, and testimony to uncover inconsistencies;
- Investigating personal or legal motives behind the accusation; and
- Reviewing physical evidence and witness accounts to challenge the accuser’s narrative.
These steps can significantly weaken the prosecution’s case and highlight ulterior motives.
Challenging Weak or Inconsistent Evidence
Not all accusations are supported by reliable evidence. In many Burbank domestic violence cases, the prosecution struggles to prove its claims beyond a reasonable doubt. Your defense attorney may focus on demonstrating:
- The absence of independent witnesses or corroborating statements;
- Delays in the reporting of the alleged incident that may undermine credibility;
- Inconsistent medical documentation or lack of visible injury; or
- Mishandled or incomplete evidence collection by law enforcement.
Exposing these weaknesses provides a strategic foundation for dismissal motions, reduced charges, or favorable plea agreements.
We Have a Proven Track Record in DV Defense
Esfandi Law Group has been successfully defending clients against domestic violence charges throughout Los Angeles County for over 25 years, including numerous cases in Burbank courts. Attorney Seppi Esfandi, a UCLA School of Law graduate and a former Deputy Public Defender, brings extensive trial experience and a thorough understanding of domestic violence law to every case.
Our Burbank domestic violence attorney understands that these cases often involve complex relationship dynamics, emotional volatility, and competing narratives requiring careful analysis.
Our proven results include case dismissals, charge reductions, and acquittals for clients facing all levels of domestic violence accusations. We understand the unique challenges facing Burbank residents, particularly those working in the entertainment and aerospace industries, where criminal charges can derail careers.
Get Started on Your Defense
Domestic violence cases in Burbank move quickly, from arrest to arraignment to protective orders. The sooner you involve an attorney, the more options you have to protect your future. An experienced Burbank domestic abuse attorney can step in immediately, safeguard your rights, and begin building a strong defense. Contact Esfandi Law Group today.
