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Van Nuys has made efforts to empower police officers when investigating domestic violence calls. For the couples involved, this means that they may find themselves facing these charges even if there were no acts of violence being committed and if there is no history of abuse of any kind in the relationship. This can be a nightmare for such couples who find themselves accused of a crime which neither has committed and can make a simple spat into a situation that involves police, getting booked and the other humiliations associated with being arrested.

Domestic violence is a genuine problem and these laws were not crafted out of hysteria. Every 15 seconds a woman in the US is beaten by a partner or a spouse. The reach of these laws, however, extends to far more than battery. Intimidation, threats and other verbal abuse can be prosecuted as domestic violence. For couples having an argument which results in neighbors or passers by calling the police, this means that a simple mistake on the part of those individuals—good-natured as their motives may have been—can result in long-term misery for the couple involved.

Police who investigate the scene will first look for signs of violence in progress. If they suspect that violence has already been done to one partner or another or if they suspect threats have been made, they have the authority to seize any weapons in the home including firearms, and to hold them. If there are injuries, they may determine if those injuries were the result of domestic violence or a medical examiner may be called in to make that determination. The couple will be separated and whether or not charges will be pressed is up to the prosecutor, not the victim if there is, indeed, a victim.

An attorney who specializes in domestic violence should be called as soon as possible after one of these investigations has been commenced. Once one is arrested, one should refuse to answer any questions put to them by the police. Any question should be regarded as an interrogation no matter how innocuous it may seem. An attorney can make sure that the rights of couples are respected and that over-zealous prosecutors are not afforded the chance to see domestic violence where none is taking place. These cases can entail very severe consequences; one needs to guard their rights.

White Goldestein provides clients with excellence in criminal defense in Los Angeles. Specializing in domestic violence defense, rape defense, sex crimes, violent crimes, DUI and federal crimes, White Goldstein provides experience, knowledge and skill in the Los Angeles area.