Charges: California Penal Code 273.5
The purple lapel ribbon is an awareness tribute to the fight against the global problem of domestic violence. It spurs the understanding of domestic violence through communications that highlight the detection, prevention, intervention, and outreach necessary to curtail the social problem. Globally greater than 75% of domestic violence crime victims are women, and in many other countries the murder, torture, or maiming of the victim is not penalized as harshly because their culture psyche equates marriage with full ownership. In the United States, where much of the definition of “intimate partner” has become relaxed in the sense of gender or cohabitation status, the crime of domestic violence has become a focus point because it has sweeping impact on families and communities.
Domestic violence is an ongoing occurrence daily everywhere in the US, with the same frequency as car accidents; and much like minor car accidents (fender benders), some go without being reported. Violence in the form of verbal, physical, or psychological abuse plays out every day and even while maintained privately between current or former intimate partners. Reported or not, it affects all parties within the home (children, other adults) and increases the level of tension in lives that are already stressed. The relationship between two people has made the transition from adoration, passion, and promise to anger, embitterment, and hostility. It is anyone’s guess whether or not it will escalate to greater harm for one or the other or resolve itself by commitment of the individuals to one another.
In California, a domestic violence charge is Penal Code (PC) 273.5 and it is considered a “wobbler” offense. A wobbler is a charge permitting the prosecutor to seek felony or misdemeanor punishment in relation to the facts of the charge. Simply put, a relationship must exist between the parties and there must be a clearly identified “trauma” in the complaint (a black-eye, a bruise, broken items that include broken spirit). In a first offense, PC 273.5 carries a $6000 fine and may also include a jail sentence from 1 to 4 years (depending on “the wobble”). If the accused, or the person arrested, has a history of crimes that fall into the assault, battery, weapons, or sexual assault – that person may be subject to a wobble to the felony charge.
Mr. Nice Guy Bail Bonds knows that a person charged and arrested under PC 273.5 has several options before arraignment and trial. Arrest resolves the moment of the incident and usually both parties (victim and accused) are subject to a changed mind-set and attitude as heated situation is evaluated over time. Sometimes separation is what is needed, but often it is emotionally or financially impossible. The layers of a domestic violence incident and charge are usually deep and not simply affecting the one person who is incarcerated. In this situation, a Mr. Nice Guy licensed bail agent should be consulted to post a bail bond to conserve resources for a temporary stay in a hotel room, a lawyer, a way to continue earning income, and the time for parties involved to consider the long term path of their actions or commitment.
How much is bail for Penal Code 273.5
The set bail amount for Corporal Injury on a Spouse of Cohabitant, also referenced as Penal Code 273.5 will vary depending on the city or county were the arrest was made and the locality of the charges being filed. Typically, PC 273.5 will have a bail amount set at $10,000 if charged as a misdemeanor and $50,000 if the arresting agency files as a felony.
What is the bail bond costs for Penal Code 273.5
The price the bail bond company will charge depends on the bail amount set by the court of jail. Usually, this will be 10% and discounts may be available and payment plans are generally offered to help with the costs. Always be certain to inquirer as to the total bail costs involved with posting a bail bond for PC 273.5.
Penalties for California Penal Code 273.5
A first offense for PC 273.5 can be pled to misdemeanor if the charges remain and there are no prior incidents of violence and no long-standing trauma issues. Probation, community service, reduced sentencing and other options exist for the first-time offense, but that leniency won’t exist if PC 273.5 appears again in one’s history. The next step between partners must be mutual agreement and needs to be made with clarity and acceptance.
Who is considered an “intimate partner”?
The state of California lists “intimate partner under Penal Code 273.5 as the following:
- The defendant’s spouse, current of former,
- Current of former registered domestic partner,
- Cohabitant or former cohabitant,
- Fiancé, or Fiancée,
- Parent (mother or father) of arrested person’s child,
- Person in or used to be in a dating relationship (girlfriend, boyfriend).
Where to go for help with domestic violence
Programs and resources exist to help people better understand domestic violence:
- National Domestic Abuse Hot-line 1−800−799−7233
- National Coalition Against Domestic Violence www.ncadv.org
Other possible local searches:
- Depression Treatment
- Anger Management
- Family Therapy
- Marriage Counselors
Remember that Mr. Nice Guy Bail Bonds has real licensed bail bonds persons 24 x 7 to answer your questions or help process and serve a bail bond for you or your loved one. Call 844-400-BAIL or 949-445-3420 any time of day or night to speak to a live licensed bail bondsman in complete confidence.
