In the context of a divorce or child custody proceeding, family violence or domestic violence can have a significant impact on an individual's child custody and visitation rights when accused and/or found guilty of domestic violence or family violence. For example, California Family Code Section 3044 states there is a rebuttal presumption that it is not in the best interest of the child for the court to awardsolelegal or physical custody orjointlegal or physical custody to a person who has perpetrated domestic violence or family violence within the previous 5 years unless there is a showing that it is in the best interest of the child by a showing of a preponderance of the evidence.

If you or someone you know has been charged with domestic violence, it is very important to contact an experienced domestic violence attorney, domestic violence lawyer, criminal defense lawyer, or family lawyer who handles domestic violence or family violence matters for legal representation so you know your rights. The penalties for a domestic violence or family violence conviction can be serious and life-changing and a domestic violence attorney, domestic violence lawyer, criminal defense lawyer, or family lawyer who handles domestic violence or family violence cases can help explain some of the defenses that may be available to you. Even in cases where a person has been arrested for domestic violence or family violence, he/she may not have actually committed a crime. Contacting a domestic violence attorney, domestic violence lawyer, criminal defense lawyer, or family lawyer who handles domestic violence cases as soon as possible is one of the first steps to take to properly defend you in a domestic violence or family violence case.