Domestic Violence Counseling

The Family Harmony (“TFH”) stands ready to confront the issue of domestic violence. As explained below individuals convicted of or who plead to a domestic violence offense must complete an approved 52 week treatment program consisting of group counseling related to the prevention of reoccurring domestic violence. It is of extreme importance to take this matter seriously to ensure that the level of counseling is appropriate and result oriented. Our goal is to ensure that the counseling received by our clients is on the highest professional level and lead to true behavioral changes. While sometimes little can be done about the past, counseling and education is about the future. Your future and your family’s future, your children’s future may be at stake. TFH will provide the education and support the clients referred to us by the criminal justice system need to enter rehabilitative stage. That is why we are the California’s judicial system go-to option for quality court approved Domestic Violence counseling classes.

What is Domestic Violence

Domestic Violence is physical violence, threatened violence, and abuse which occurs in the following relationships:
Domestic Violence covers a wide range of abuse, including spousal abuse and child endangerment. Any threatening or violent act, even if the accused did not intend to harm or compromise the safety and security of the victim, could be grounds for prosecution under the California Domestic Violence laws. Domestic violence cases are treated differently than other criminal cases. There are designated prosecutors and special Domestic Violence Units (DV Units) within the prosecutor’s office that stand ready to aggressively prosecute anyone charged with domestic violence. Examples of domestic violence abuse include: Domestic Violence cases in Los Angeles are generally filed under Penal Code section 273.5 – Inflicting Corporal Injury on Spouse or Cohabitant(misdemeanor or felony) and Penal Code section 243(e)(1) – Domestic Battery (misdemeanor).

Domestic Violence Penalties

Domestic violence charges may be filed as a misdemeanor or a felony. How the prosecutor files the criminal charges is based on the seriousness of the case. Severe injuries (including cuts and broken bones) will almost always be charged as a felony. No injury or slight injury cases will generally be filled as a misdemeanor. Both, prior acts of reported domestic violence and the criminal history of the accused may also influence how the case is filled – usually as a felony.

Misdemeanors: Felonies:

Can the victim drop the charges?

In California, you can be arrested and prosecuted for domestic violence even if the victim does not want you arrested. In some cases, especially with spousal abuse, it is very difficult for the victim to drop charges against the abuser. The prosecutor can proceed with the criminal case even if the alleged victim decides not to go to court. The prosecutor is the only one who can drop charges because the victim is merely a witness in a government prosecution.