Domestic violence laws apply equally to heterosexual and to gay or lesbian same-sex relationships. As a rule, police arrest the accused for felony domestic assault, prohibiting a suspect’s release on their own recognizance, regardless of whether the prosecutor ultimately files the charges as a felony or misdemeanor.

The District Attorney and City Attorney aggressively prosecute all reported incidents of violence in the home, whether or not the alleged victim refuses to press charges or denies their initial accusations. Prosecutors will not drop or reduce domestic violence charges even when the alleged victim requests that they do so or refuses to testify in court.

The penalties for domestic violence are severe and include probation, anger management, batterers’ treatment counseling programs and jail or prison. Even if you are released on bail, you may be ordered not to return to your home and to stay away from your partner and/or your family. A conviction for assault or domestic violence can affect your rights to see your children, affect your property rights, and seriously affect your immigration status or result in deportation.