CRIMES OF VIOLENCE

Below you will find a list of some of the most common crimes of violence.  All references are to the California Penal Code (PC).  Click on each crime to learn more about their definitions, penalties, and how Jennifer Monroe can help you.

The summary is intended to give you an overview of what you may be facing, but does not include all of the consequences and potential defenses.  Please contact Jennifer Monroe directly for more information about the crimes listed.

Jennifer Monroe has personally handled all of the crimes listed below.  If you have trouble locating a crime below, please contact Jennifer Monroe directly, she has likely handled that crime before and can help you.

• Assault 
  
• Assault with a Deadly Weapon 
  
• Assault by Force Likely to Produce GBI
  
• Battery  
  
• Battery – Domestic Violence  
  
• Corporal Injury – Domestic Violence
  
• Child Endangerment
  
• Corporal Injury to a Child
  
• Criminal Threats

There are several types of assault.  Simple assault is a misdemeanor and is generally charged when you tried to hit someone and missed. 

Simple assault is punishable by up to six months in local jail and or a $1,000 fine.   After mandatory penalty assessments and fees a $1,000 fine could cost you almost $4,000. 

Assaults on emergency personal or the police are punishable by up to a year in local jail and or a $2,000 fine (which could cost you almost $7,000).

Assault with a deadly weapon is a felony punishable by up to 4 years in the state prison.  If the offense involves a firearm the penalty could go up to 12 years in state prison or more if the firearm was actually used.  The fine is up to $10,000 plus penalty assessments and fees which could be substantial.

Assault by force likely to produce Great Bodily Injury (GBI) is punishable by up to 4 years in state prison and or a fine up to $10,000 plus penalty assessments and fees.

You may be eligible for a dismissal, diversion, probation, or community service instead of county jail or state prison.  Jennifer Monroe will meet with you to review your case and your background.  She will also:

• Fight to protect your rights.
• Research the defenses that apply to your case.
• Review the facts with you to determine if a lesser charge is appropriate. 
• Present mitigating factors about you and your case to the judge and prosecutor.
• Negotiate the best possible result for your case.

Battery - PC 242

Simple battery is defined as any willful and unwanted force or violence against another.  Battery does not require an injury.  

Battery is a misdemeanor punishable by up to 6 months in jail and or a $2,000 fine.  After mandatory penalty assessments and fees a $2,000 fine could cost you almost $7,000.  The court may also order a restraining order and restitution.

You may be eligible for a dismissal, diversion, probation, or community service instead of county jail.  Jennifer Monroe will meet with you to review your case and your background.  She will also:

• Fight to protect your rights.
• Research the defenses that apply to your case.
• Review the facts with you to determine if a lesser charge is appropriate. 
• Present mitigating factors about you and your case to the judge and prosecutor.
• Negotiate the best possible result for your case.

Battery – Domestic Violence  /  Corporal Injury – Domestic Violence
- PC 243, 273.5

Battery involving domestic violence requires the willful and unwanted force or violence against someone who is your spouse, cohabitant, parent of your child, or someone you have or previously had a relationship with.  No injury is required to prove this crime. 

Domestic violence battery is a misdemeanor punishable up to a year in local jail and or a $2,000 fine plus mandatory penalty assessments and fees, and a 52 week batterer’s treatment program.   The court will also order a restraining order and restitution.

Corporal injury requires the willful infliction of any injury (minor or serious) on someone who is your spouse, cohabitant, parent of your child, or someone you have or previously had a relationship with. 

Corporal Injury is a felony but may be reduced to a misdemeanor by the judge or prosecutor. Corporal injury is punishable up to four years in state prison and or a $6,000 fine plus mandatory penalty assessments and fees, and a 52 week batterer’s treatment program.  The court will also order a restraining order and restitution.

Jennifer Monroe will meet with you to review your case and your background and to help you resolve the problems you are having at the home that brought you before the court.  She wants to get you and your relationship back on the right track.  Depending on the facts of your case, if this is your first domestic violence offense you may qualify for an office hearing, diversion, probation, or community service instead of county jail or state prison.   Jennifer Monroe will also:

• Fight to protect your rights.
• Research the defenses that apply to your case.
• Review the facts with you to determine if a lesser charge is appropriate. 
• Present mitigating factors about you and your case to the judge and prosecutor.
• Negotiate the best possible result for your case.

Child Endangerment /  Corporal Injury to a Child – PC 273a, 273d

Child abuse charges include physical and mental abuse, as well as allowing a child to be placed in a situation where his or her person or health may be endanger.  

Child abuse charges can be prosecuted as a misdemeanor or felony.  They are punishable by state prison or county jail, and fines.  The court will also order a protective order and parenting classes.

You may be eligible for a dismissal, diversion, probation, or community service instead of county jail or state prison.  Jennifer Monroe will meet with you to review your case and your background.  She will also:

• Fight to protect your rights.
• Research the defenses that apply to your case.
• Review the facts with you to determine if a lesser charge is appropriate. 
• Present mitigating factors about you and your case to the judge and prosecutor.
• Negotiate the best possible result for your case.

Criminal Threats – PC 422

A criminal threat involves a willful threat to commit a crime that will result in death or great bodily injury. 

A criminal threat is a felony but may be reduced to a misdemeanor by the judge or prosecutor.  A criminal threat is punishable up to 3 years in state prison.  The court will also order a restraining order.

You may be eligible for a dismissal or lesser charge that qualifies you for diversion, probation, or community service instead of county jail or state prison.  Jennifer Monroe will meet with you to review your case and your background.  She will also:

• Fight to protect your rights.
• Research the defenses that apply to your case.
• Review the facts with you to determine if a lesser charge is appropriate. 
• Present mitigating factors about you and your case to the judge and prosecutor.
• Negotiate the best possible result for your case.