Domestic Violence

If you are Arrested or facing Domestic Violence Charges in Orange County, you are facing significant jail time. This includes exclusion from your own home, a year’s worth of counseling, and a criminal record. Walking into criminal court without an experienced Orange County Domestic Violence Defense Lawyer, like Attorney Steven K. Bloom, is the worst decision you can make.

Jail Time

Domestic Violence allegations can be filed as a misdemeanor or felony, depending on the alleged behavior or injuries. Most courts will seek significant jail time even on the first offense of domestic violence because of the distaste of these types of allegations from the Judges and District Attorneys alike. If you are charged with a Domestic Violence case that is filed as a felony, you can face a prison sentence of 16 months, two years, or three years. Because of the violent nature of the offense involved, courts will not allow for Supervised Electronic Confinement, aka SEC, or house arrest.

The key to avoiding jail is to secure an experienced Orange County Domestic Violence Attorney who can negotiate a no-jail sentence that allows you to keep your job and your freedom or fight for a reduction or dismissal of the charges.

Protective Order

Suppose you are accused of an act of domestic violence in Orange County. In that case, you could be ordered to stay 100 yards away from the alleged victim on your first day in court if you are unrepresented by an experienced Orange County Domestic Violence Lawyer. Protective Orders are issued even over the alleged victim’s objection, and you don’t even need to be convicted. A simple accusation and a complaint in court will result in the prosecutor asking the judge to order you to stay away from the alleged victim. That means, regardless of your innocence and even if the alleged victim does not want it, you may be forced to leave your home. If you and your spouse live in one location, she will get to stay at that location while the case is pending. If you lose your case at trial, the court can extend the stay-away order for up to 3 years. The emotional and financial impact of a Protective Order can be devastating.

Orange County Domestic Violence Lawyer, Steven K. Bloom can help by contesting the stay-away order at the first court appearance. Attorney Steven K. Bloom has convinced many Orange County Judges to issue a “no violent contact” order instead of a “stay away” order, where the parties can live together but must be peaceful at all times.

Consequences of a Domestic Violence Conviction

Being convicted of a Domestic Violence charge in Orange County can mean serious consequences to your future rights. If your Domestic Violence charge is a Felony, this could mean that you will have a Strike on your record that will never go away. Corporal Injury as a Felony and Criminal Threats as a Felony are both Strikes on your record that will have far-reaching implications. It is vital to have an experienced Orange County Domestic Violence Lawyer have your felony reduced to a misdemeanor so that you can avoid the damaging effects of having Strikes on your record and eventually face serving a long prison sentence. Even if your charge is a misdemeanor and you are convicted of a domestic violence charge, you lose your right to own or possess a firearm for 10 years in California and possibly for your life under Federal Law. If you either work in an occupation that requires you to have a gun or wish to go into such a profession in the future, a conviction for domestic violence can be the end of your future aspirations.

A Year of Counseling

Under Domestic Violence Law in California, if it is found that the defendant had a romantic relationship with the victim of a crime, the defendant must be ordered, as a condition of probation, to complete 52 weeks of the Batterer’s Treatment Program.

Orange County Domestic Violence Attorney Steven K. Bloom has handled hundreds of Domestic Violence cases with outstanding results.

Domestic Violence Laws

California domestic violence laws make it illegal to use physical force–or to communicate threats of harm–against an intimate partner. These are the most common DV crimes:

Penal Code 273.5 Corporal Injury to a Spouse or Cohabitant — Penal Code 273.5 makes it illegal to inflict a “corporal injury” resulting in a “traumatic condition.” A person commits this crime by striking his/her intimate partner violently and causing a visible injury, even a slight one, such as swelling or a bruise. This charge can be filed as a felony or a misdemeanor. A felony carries a maximum of 3 years in prison, and a misdemeanor carries a maximum of one year in the county jail.

Penal Code 243(e)(1) Domestic Battery — Penal Code 243(e)(1) makes it a misdemeanor crime to inflict force or violence on an intimate partner…a category that includes your fiancé, cohabitant, the parent of your child, or your current or former spouse or dating partner. This charge does not require any mark or injury on the alleged victim. Any unwanted touching (such as a slap) or a push (if done in a harmful or offensive fashion) could be enough to violate this domestic violence law.

Penal Code 273d Child Abuse — Penal Code 273d makes it a crime to inflict “corporal punishment or injury” on a child if it was “cruel or inhuman” and caused an injury (even a slight injury). California child abuse laws allow a parent reasonable latitude to spank a child but draw the line where the punishment is cruel or injures the child.

Penal Code 273a Child Endangerment — Penal Code 273a makes it a crime willfully to allow a child (in your care or custody) to suffer harm or to have his/her safety or health endangered. Circumstances in which people are charged with this crime are when someone drives drunk with their child in the car, and leaves their child unattended in a dangerous situation. Often when the child is present during a physical altercation between adults, both Child Endangerment and Domestic Violence charges will be filed.

Penal Code 422 Criminal Threats — Penal Code 422 makes it a crime to communicate a threat of serious harm to someone if (1) you intend to put the person in fear and (2) you actually do put the person in sustained fear. Criminal Threats may be charged as a misdemeanor or a felony, the felony version is a strike. This particular charge is at times, charged along with a domestic battery charge. Some situations will start with a verbal argument and then escalate to a physical altercation, hence resulting in the filing of both charges.

We proudly serve the cities of Fullerton, Yorba Linda, Brea, Anaheim, Buena Park, Santa Ana, Orange, Irvine, La Habra, Tustin, Placentia, Huntington Beach, Newport Beach, Westminster, Garden Grove, Stanton, Mission Viejo, Aliso Viejo, Rancho Santa Margarita, Lake Forest, and all of Orange County and LA County, as well as Riverside and San Bernardino.

Call Now to speak to Orange County’s Premier Domestic Violence Attorney, Steven K. Bloom, Esquire, at (888) SKB-ESQ1 or (714) 680-0311 or use the contact form provided.

Client Testimonials

S K

2023-01-11

I am So Happy that I hired Attorney, Steve Bloom, to help me with my DUI case. He is Very Professional, Hard working and Extremely Knowledgeable & Very Attention to details. I was scared and worried and he immediately made me feel at ease. Then, over the next number of months, he lived up to everything he said to me over the phone and at our initial consultation. He was able to get many allegations dismissed in court and even won my DMV Hearing, which saved me from having my licensed suspended for 1 year! He is worth every penny I paid him and more. I will give him 5 plus Stars, I definitely will refer anyone who need his help to him .

Jonatan P

2022-08-18

Mr.Bloom is an amazing lawyer, he was optimistic in getting my case dismissed. He was very communicative and responsive, every time I called he picked up and helped me with any questions I had. He is honest, a man of his word, I would recommend his services to anyone looking for an attorney you won’t regret it. I was VERY satisfied with the outcome of my case.

Derek Coloma

2021-12-09

Mr.Bloom has been our family lawyer for over 10 years now. Our family can not show him enough gratitude for what he’s done for us over the years. He’s represented me on several different occasions and if it wasn’t for him, my life would be in a different place rite now. During the worst of times, he went the extra mile to assure me things would be okay. Mr. Bloom has earned my upmost respect and trust. Best defensive lawyer in OC!

Monica Gutierrez

2021-03-12

I’m Monica and I recently hired Steven to work on my case. I did my research and came to the conclusion that he’s the best attorney in Orange County. He has 20 years of experience and is well known online and in person as the best attorney in Orange County. He worked with me and helped with words of advice and calming personality. He always communicated with me and gave me all the details of my case. He’s literally the best attorney from my experience. I had VERY positive results with my case and I would definitely return to Steven if I need help. I highly recommend him he’s helpful, knowledgeable, experienced, communicative, and works hard to really help people. Highly recommend him. Thank you Steven.

Susette Olivares

2020-06-25

I found Steven Bloom on Avvo. I had never needed an attorney so I did not know what I was supposed to be looking for. After calling other attorneys and getting different quotes I almost went with the cheapest but then I called Steven and I'm glad I did. He was so reassuring and walked me through the process. He made sure I got what I asked for and was even able to check with his colleague that my case wouldn't interfere with other legal things I have going on. I will definitely recommend him to friends and family, Thank you Steven!

M W

2019-07-18

Steve went above and beyond in helping me resolve a petty theft case. For someone who had never had any run-ins with the law before, the entire process of going to court and retaining an attorney was all new and very frightening. I researched several different attorneys before settling on Steve because he was the only one who really acknowledged my concerns when I described my case to him over the phone. During the consultation, he laid out his game plan and explained exactly how he would tackle my case, and hearing him say that it was very likely that he could resolve it...it was like a huge weight was lifted off my shoulders. In the end, he was able to get my case dismissed with NO guilty plea, and thus, no conviction on my record. I would highly, highly recommend him to anyone in the OC area looking for a defense attorney, whatever your situation. He is incredibly competent and has so much professional experience, but above all that, his kindness and authenticity are the real deal. He really listens to you and makes you feel at ease despite everything. I can't recommend him enough and I'm so glad I retained him for my case. Thank you so much, Steve.

William Lee

2019-05-14

Steve helped me and my family resolve a DUI case involving several serious charges. Before hiring him, we spoke to a family friend in the Orange County Sheriff's Department who recommended that we prioritize looking for a lawyer who is not only well established in OC but also has extensive experience with the court handling our case, North Justice Court. After interviewing several lawyers around the area, Steve became the clear choice as he is extremely knowledgable about the various judges, prosecutors, and clerks at North Justice and also has many personal connections with those people. The case itself was not easy and a very difficult and exasperating process, but Steve had a very well thought out game plan and was able to execute it while doing his best to keep us reassured the entire way. We are happy with the results that included reduced charges and a significant reduction in fines.

Wil R

2014-08-21

His honesty and beyond fair price was the first reason I hired Steven K Bloom. It was one of the best decisions I ever made. I quickly realized that he is well known and respected in the Orange County Court System. He handled my case very professionally, and he kept me feeling confident through my entire case. At the end of my case all charges against me were dropped. I feel confident in saying, if I had hired some other attorney, the results would not have been the same. He went above and beyond the call of duty for me. If you want the best defense that you can possibly have, I highly recommend Steven K Bloom. Thank you again Steve, I am very grateful for your services