The timeline depends on several factors, including the complexity of the charges and the court’s schedule at the Southwest Justice Center. Most cases take a few weeks to several months from arrest to resolution, but more complex cases can last longer.

Will I have to appear in court for each hearing?

Defendants usually must attend all scheduled court hearings unless the judge grants an exception. Missing a required appearance may lead to a bench warrant and additional complications with your case.

Can a domestic violence restraining order affect where I live?

Yes. Judges may require you to move out of your home or keep a certain distance from specific people or places. These conditions stay in place for as long as the restraining order remains active.

What People Are Involved in California Domestic Violence Crimes? 

These are crimes involving:

• Spouses and ex-spouses
• Individuals living together or who have formerly lived together
• Individuals who are the parents of a child, regardless of marital status
• Current and former intimate or dating partners and fiancés

In some domestic violence cases, alleged victims can include parents, children, and those related by blood or marriage. Common domestic violence crimes include domestic battery and corporal injury to a spouse or cohabitant. 

California law applies broadly to relationships, including step-relatives or those with shared custody arrangements. In Temecula, Riverside County District Attorney’s Office prosecutors review each case to determine the appropriate charges, if any. The relationship between those involved can determine how the court files charges and what restraining order terms may apply.

What Is the Difference Between Domestic Battery & Corporal Injury to a Spouse or Cohabitant?

Domestic battery involves willfully touching the alleged victim in a harmful or offensive way. The state can file charges even if the contact did not cause pain or injury. It is considered a misdemeanor that carries penalties of up to a year in jail and/or a fine of up to $2,000.

Corporal injury to a spouse or cohabitant is a more serious charge because it involves actual physical injury. Prosecutors can file it as a misdemeanor or felony. Felony charges carry potential penalties of two, three, or four years in prison with fines up to $6,000. Penalties increase if you inflict “great bodily harm” on the alleged victim. 

Additional penalties in domestic violence cases can include court-ordered participation in a batterer’s program, loss of gun rights, and paying restitution to the victim for any related expenses.

Along with jail time and fines, you may face mandatory counseling, court-ordered community service, and temporary or permanent loss of child custody rights. Some cases handled in Temecula bring further consequences, such as restrictions on returning home or effects on immigration status. Working with an attorney familiar with these considerations can make a difference during negotiations or trial.

What Is a Domestic Violence Restraining Order?

These are orders issued by the court to protect alleged victims from further violence or threat of violence. They can be issued on an emergency basis or a more permanent basis after a court hearing is held, in which both sides can present their evidence. Permanent restraining orders can be put into effect for up to five years by judges. If the judge does not provide a termination date, they generally stay in effect for three years.

These orders establish the following rules and restrictions for the person named as the aggressor:

• Bar them from any type of abuse, threat, stalking, or property destruction of the alleged victim
• Bar them from going within a certain distance of the alleged victim
• Bar them from making any type of contact with the alleged victim
• Force them to vacate a home shared with the alleged victim
• Order them to pay child support and/or spousal support to the alleged victim
• Temporarily remove child custody and visitation rights
• Order them to pay for the alleged victim’s attorney fees
• Make any other conditions or restrictions the court deems necessary

What Happens After an Arrest for Domestic Violence in Temecula?

After police arrest you for domestic violence in Temecula, you will be taken to either the Southwest Detention Center or a local holding facility. Officers quickly notify the Riverside County District Attorney’s Office, which reviews your case and decides whether to file formal charges. 

If the office moves forward, they file the complaint, and you will be required to attend an arraignment at the Southwest Justice Center. At arraignment, the court states the charges and requests your plea. The judge may set bail and can issue or continue a restraining order at this initial hearing. 

Attorney DeLimon helps you stay informed, avoid procedural mistakes, and make sound decisions from the start. Throughout the process, we focus on clear communication and practical support to help you navigate each stage with confidence and awareness.

Legal Resources on Domestic Violence Matters

When you’re facing domestic violence allegations in Temecula, it’s vital to understand how the law works and what your options may be. Our blog offers articles that address key legal issues defendants frequently encounter:

• Can a Domestic Violence Case Be Expunged? — Learn when a domestic violence matter may be eligible for expungement under California law and how it could affect your future.
• Violating a Restraining Order: Charges in California — Understand the risks of restraining order violations in California and the criminal consequences that can follow.

Schedule a free case evaluation with our Temecula domestic violence attorney. Connect via our online contact form or by calling us at (951) 777-9104. Hablamos español.