Northern California Domestic Violence Attorneys

Hayward - Fremont - Pleasanton - Alameda - Oakland

Domestic Violence (or DV) cases can be complex because they involve more than just the criminal charges – oftentimes, issues within the family relationship must also be addressed. Our lawyers are prepared to help you in both areas.

The first thing that happens in a DV case is that the judge issues a restraining order against the defendant. The restraining order, also known as a “no contact” order, is a court order stating that the defendant cannot contact the complaining witness, in any way, for at least the length of the case. In many situations, the complaining witness does not want a “no contact” order placed between him/her and the defendant. For a variety of reasons, the defendant and the complaining witness may want and need to communicate with each other. The “no contact” order can be changed. We have helped all of our clients who wanted the “no contact” order lifted by bringing the case back into court and asking the judge for a modification. Once the “no contact” order is modified, we focus on defending the criminal case.

In some cases, the complaining witness and the defendant remain in a relationship together after the charges have been filed. In other situations, the complaining witness and defendant end their relationship. When possible, we work with the complaining witness to better understand the case.

If someone charged in a DV case is not a citizen of the United States, a conviction for domestic violence can have serious immigration consequences. One of our priorities is to settle cases in a way that has minimal impact on a client’s residency in the US.

Depending on how severe the allegations are, our lawyers may be able to resolve the case informally. We cannot predict the outcome of a case, but we always work toward a disposition that is most beneficial for our client and the family.

Free Initial Consultation: Contact a northern California domestic violence lawyer at Bonjour, Thorman, Baray & Billingsley. Se habla Español.