Misdemeanor Domestic Violence

Relationships are hard. Sometimes arguments spill over outside the home and neighbors may contact the police. Joshua Bourne is an experienced, professional, and dedicated criminal domestic violence defense attorney. He is a former San Diego Domestic Violence Prosecutor who has handled numerous misdemeanor and felony domestic violence cases. Mr. Bourne worked as a prosecutor in the San Diego City Attorney’s Domestic Violence Unit. He is committed to providing quality legal services focusing on domestic violence defense.Unlike many criminal law attorneys, the Law Office of Joshua R. Bourne is prepared to represent you fully in all aspects of both a criminal and potential family law case. Domestic violence cases may impact child custody and visitation orders, and our office handles domestic violence criminal defense, defense against criminal protective orders, civil restraining orders, CLETS domestic violence restraining orders, move out orders, child custody cases, divorce, and all aspects of family law.Allegations of domestic violence are taken very seriously. But there are those who are wrongly accused of committing acts of domestic violence. For such individuals, a strong domestic violence defense is essential in protecting their reputations, their jobs, and their freedom. When you are charged with a criminal domestic violence offense you need to be proactive. You need an attorney who takes the time to talk to you. You need an attorney who will obtain and review all the discovery, reports, medical records, and videos that may exist in your case. You need an attorney who will appear in court on your behalf and fight for your rights. Hiring a competent domestic violence defense attorney gives you the best chance of keeping you out of jail and keeping your job.

Domestic violence is defined as abuse or threats of abuse when the person being abused and the abuser are or have been in an intimate relationship (married or domestic partners, are dating or used to date, live or lived together, or have a child together, or are closely related).

The domestic violence laws say “abuse” is:

• Physically hurting or trying to hurt someone, intentionally or recklessly
• Sexual assault
• Making someone reasonably afraid that they or someone else are about to be seriously hurt (like threats or promises to harm someone)
• OR: Behavior like harassing, stalking, threatening, or hitting someone; disturbing someone’s peace; or destroying someone’s personal property

The physical abuse is not just hitting. Abuse can be kicking, shoving, pushing, pulling hair, throwing things, scaring or following you, or keeping you from freely coming and going.

To learn more about the legal defenses available to you as a domestic violence defendant, contact the Law Office of Joshua R. Bourne for a free initial consultation.