Domestic Violence Defense
An arrest changes everything.
The right defense can change it back.
A domestic violence arrest in Los Angeles can result in immediate removal from your home, a protective order, loss of firearm rights, and criminal prosecution — all before any finding of guilt. The consequences are immediate, severe, and require equally immediate, experienced legal defense.
Speak With a Defense Attorney NowWhat Happens After a DV Arrest
The consequences begin
before you are ever convicted.
Emergency Protective Order
Law enforcement issues an EPO at the scene of a domestic violence arrest — before any court involvement. It can prohibit you from returning to your own home and restrict contact with family members immediately.
Criminal Prosecution
Los Angeles prosecutors have a mandatory prosecution policy in domestic violence cases — meaning the case proceeds even if the alleged victim does not want to press charges. The state, not the victim, controls whether prosecution continues.
Loss of Firearm Rights
A qualifying misdemeanor crime of domestic violence or other disqualifying conviction can result in federal and state firearm restrictions. The applicable rule depends on the offense, relationship, disposition, and any statutory exceptions.
Professional License Consequences
Domestic violence convictions can trigger mandatory reporting to licensing boards and professional discipline for physicians, nurses, attorneys, teachers, contractors, and many other licensed professionals.
Immigration Consequences
For non-citizens, a domestic violence conviction can constitute a crime of moral turpitude or a crime of violence with severe immigration consequences including deportation and inadmissibility.
Family Court Impact
Domestic violence findings — even in criminal court — are routinely used in family court to restrict custody and visitation rights. The criminal case and family court proceedings must be managed strategically together.
Defense Strategy
Domestic violence cases are
more defensible than they appear.
Domestic violence arrests are frequently made on the basis of a single person's account, in emotionally charged circumstances, without independent witnesses, physical evidence, or medical documentation. The mandatory arrest policy means that law enforcement often makes an arrest based on minimal evidence.
False or exaggerated allegations in the context of divorce, custody disputes, or relationship conflict are not uncommon. Sam Ahmadpour examines the full context of every case — the relationship history, the circumstances of the call to law enforcement, prior incidents, and the credibility of all involved.
Self-defense and mutual combat situations are frequently mischaracterized as one-sided domestic violence. The person who was actually defending themselves sometimes ends up as the defendant. Presenting the complete factual picture requires early, thorough investigation.
Victim recantation and non-cooperation does not end the prosecution in Los Angeles — but it significantly affects the strength of the government's case. Understanding how to work within that reality requires experience with how DV prosecutions actually proceed.
Charges we defend
- PC 273.5 — Corporal Injury to Spouse/Cohabitant
- PC 243(e)(1) — Domestic Battery
- PC 422 — Criminal Threats
- PC 236 — False Imprisonment
- PC 166 — Violation of Protective Order
- PC 646.9 — Stalking
- PC 591 — Utility/Communications Interference
- Child endangerment related charges
Primary Sources
Legal references
- U.S. Department of Justice — Firearm prohibitions involving qualifying domestic-violence convictions
These sources provide general statutory or agency information. Application to an individual matter requires analysis of the facts and current law.
Speak With Sam Ahmadpour
Your home, your family,
your career — defend all of them.
Domestic violence charges move quickly. So do their consequences. Call Sam Ahmadpour now for immediate, discreet, and experienced defense.
Schedule a Confidential Consultation Or call directly: 424-226-7810