Domestic Violence Defense Lawyer
Simmrin Law Group
Domestic violence defense is one of the more sensitive areas handled by Simmrin Law Group, the Burbank criminal defense firm led by attorney Michael "Mike" Simmrin and based at 3500 W Olive Ave, Unit 314, in Los Angeles County. Because allegations of domestic violence can reshape a person's reputation, family life, and freedom long before a case is ever resolved, the firm treats these matters as a distinct focus within its broader violent-crimes practice — one that demands both careful legal strategy and a steady, respectful hand.
How This Work Fits Into Simmrin Law Group's Practice
Simmrin Law Group represents people facing infractions, misdemeanors, and felony charges at both the state and federal level, guiding clients through the Southern California legal system from arrest to resolution. Domestic violence cases sit alongside the firm's work on assault, battery, other violent offenses, DUI, drug crimes, theft, sex crimes, white collar matters, and its distinct mental health law practice. That range matters here because domestic violence charges rarely arrive alone — they can overlap with criminal threats, harassment, and restraining-order issues that benefit from a firm accustomed to the full spectrum of criminal defense.
Under California Penal Code §273.5, domestic violence is a "wobbler," meaning a prosecutor can pursue it as either a misdemeanor or a felony depending on the facts. To prove guilt, the state must show that a person acted intentionally and willfully and inflicted bodily injury on an alleged victim. Simmrin Law Group works to understand exactly what is being alleged and where the prosecution's version of events may fall short.
What a Domestic Violence Case Involves
In California, domestic violence charges generally involve an offense between household members or people who share a close relationship — a current or former spouse or romantic partner, a cohabitant, a co-parent, or other family members such as parents or grandparents. The conduct alleged can be physical, sexual, emotional, or financial, and it can be charged under several different statutes.
The specific charge shapes everything that follows, from potential penalties to defense strategy. Some of the more common domestic violence–related charges the firm encounters include:
- Domestic battery
- Elder abuse and child abuse
- Child endangerment
- Stalking and harassment
- Making criminal threats
- Violating a restraining order or order of protection
Penalties and Collateral Consequences
Consequences vary with the charge. A misdemeanor conviction can carry time in county jail and fines up to $1,000, but the collateral effects often reach further than the sentence itself. The table below outlines several dimensions clients ask about when they first speak with the firm.
| Aspect | What It Involves | Typical Considerations |
|---|---|---|
| Charge level | Wobbler under Penal Code §273.5 | Facts determine misdemeanor vs. felony filing |
| Direct penalties | County jail time and fines | Fines up to $1,000 for misdemeanor offenses |
| Collateral effects | Impact beyond sentencing | Custody, firearm rights, work, housing, immigration |
| Three Strikes exposure | Penal Code §667 | Prior felony can add a strike; third strike risks life |
| Relationships covered | Household or intimate partners | Spouses, partners, cohabitants, co-parents, family |
For someone with a prior felony conviction, a felony domestic violence charge can add a strike under California's Three Strikes Law, and a third strike can mean life in prison. Those stakes are a large part of why the firm emphasizes early, careful analysis of each case.
What to Expect When Working With the Firm
Simmrin Law Group describes an approach that treats clients like family while working to protect their rights, reputation, and future. On a domestic violence matter, that typically unfolds as a practical sequence:
- Speak with an attorney through a free, no-obligation consultation to review the allegations.
- Identify the specific charges and clarify the penalties actually in play.
- Investigate the accusations in depth, examining the evidence behind them.
- Weigh potential defenses in light of the case's particular facts.
- Build a defense strategy aimed at the most favorable available outcome.
- Advocate through negotiation or in the courtroom as the case moves toward resolution.
Clients can expect thorough knowledge of the local legal system, prosecutors, and judges, along with an advocate who respects them throughout the process. The firm maintains around-the-clock phone availability at +1 310-620-1886 for people who need to reach an attorney quickly.
Serving Burbank and the Surrounding Communities
From its Burbank office near Warner Bros. Studios, Simmrin Law Group represents clients across a wide stretch of Los Angeles County. Its service area includes Toluca Woods, Magnolia Park, Studio City, the NoHo Arts District, North Hollywood, Valley Village, Sun Valley, and Shadow Hills, extending toward Glendale, Los Feliz, Atwater Village, Silver Lake, Sherman Oaks, Beverly Hills, and the neighborhoods around Griffith Park, the Hollywood Hills, and Hancock Park. Residents near landmarks such as the Warner Bros. Studio Tour Hollywood, Universal Studios Hollywood, Griffith Observatory, the Hollywood Bowl, The Americana at Brand, and the Glendale Galleria fall within the communities the firm regularly serves.
For anyone facing domestic violence allegations in these areas, the firm's role is to help make sense of the charges, protect a client's rights, and pursue the strongest possible defense — grounded in the same steady, family-minded approach that defines Simmrin Law Group's broader criminal defense work.
Getting here
From TCL Chinese Theatre
From the historic TCL Chinese Theatre, it's about 4.1 miles to Simmrin Law Group, roughly a 12-minute drive. Take Hollywood Blvd to Highland Ave, then follow Barham Blvd and W Olive Ave to S Cordova St.
Common questions
What percent of DV cases get dismissed in CA 91505?
There's no fixed dismissal rate for domestic violence cases, as outcomes depend heavily on the evidence, the accuser's cooperation, prior record, and prosecutorial discretion. Many cases are reduced, diverted, or resolved rather than fully dismissed. A defense attorney like Michael Simmrin of Simmrin Law Group in Burbank reviews each case individually, examining weaknesses in the prosecution's evidence to pursue the best available result for clients across Los Angeles County.
What should I not tell my attorney in CA 91505?
You should tell your attorney everything truthfully—your conversations are protected by attorney-client privilege, and hiding facts can seriously harm your defense. What you should avoid is discussing your case with others, posting about it online, or speaking to police without counsel. Firms like Simmrin Law Group in Burbank encourage full honesty during their free consultations so they can build the strongest, most informed defense for Los Angeles County clients.
How to get a domestic violence case dismissed in California?
Dismissal in California can result from insufficient evidence, constitutional violations, an uncooperative accuser, or successful completion of diversion programs where eligible. Prosecutors, not accusers, decide whether charges proceed. An attorney examines police reports, statements, and procedure for weaknesses. Simmrin Law Group, a Burbank criminal defense firm led by Michael Simmrin, handles domestic violence matters across Los Angeles County, working through the process from arrest toward the best possible resolution.
What is strong evidence in a domestic violence case in CA 91505?
Strong evidence in a domestic violence case can include documented physical injuries, medical records, photographs, 911 recordings, text or email messages, witness statements, and consistent accounts from the accuser. Defense attorneys scrutinize whether such evidence holds up and whether it was lawfully obtained. Simmrin Law Group in Burbank represents people facing domestic violence charges throughout Los Angeles County, analyzing the prosecution's evidence to identify inconsistencies and protect clients' rights.
Can I get a DV case dropped in CA 91505?
In California, the alleged victim cannot personally drop charges—that decision rests with the prosecutor, who may proceed even without the accuser's cooperation. However, charges can be dropped or reduced when evidence is weak or unreliable. Simmrin Law Group, a Burbank-based criminal defense firm serving Los Angeles County, works to challenge the prosecution's case and advocate for dismissal or reduction where the facts support it.
How long does a dismissed DV charge stay on your record in CA 91505?
Even a dismissed domestic violence charge can remain visible on your record unless you take steps to seal or expunge the arrest. California law allows petitions to clear qualifying records so they don't follow you. Simmrin Law Group in Burbank handles expungements to help clear eligible matters from a client's record, guiding people throughout Los Angeles County through the process of protecting their reputation and future.
What tricks do criminal defense lawyers use in CA 91505?
Rather than tricks, skilled defense attorneys use legitimate strategies: challenging how evidence was gathered, questioning witness credibility, filing motions to suppress unlawful searches, negotiating reduced charges, and exploring diversion programs. Simmrin Law Group in Burbank, led by attorney Michael Simmrin, applies these approaches across criminal matters in Los Angeles County—reviewing each case for procedural weaknesses while guiding clients from arrest through resolution and offering free, no-obligation consultations.