Los Angeles Criminal Defense Attorney Blog

Published on: January 23, 2024

Lessons From the Jonathan Majors Domestic Violence Case

The world of entertainment was rocked recently by the news of Jonathan Majors, a rising star known for his roles in Creed III and Ant Man and the Wasp: Quantumania, being convicted last month of misdemeanor assault stemming from an altercation with his former girlfriend, Grace Jabbari earlier in the year. Despite the jury convicting Majors of a lesser charge than the prosecution alleged, Majors was dropped by both Marvel and Disney Pictures within hours of the verdict. This case was not only a high-profile legal battle but also a stark reminder of the serious consequences of domestic violence allegations. Let’s review this important case to see what lessons we can learn.

Overview of the Case

Jonathan Majors faced accusations of assaulting Jabbari during a confrontation in New York City in March 2023. Jabbari claimed that Majors attacked her in a car, causing her significant pain. However, Majors’ defense painted a different picture, stating that Jabbari was the aggressor and that he was merely trying to regain his phone and ensure his safety after Jabbari noticed a text conversation with another woman.

Published on: December 14, 2023

The Link Between Low Self-Esteem and Domestic Violence: Breaking the Cycle

by Michael Kraut

If you’ve recently been arrested for domestic violence charges in California and you’re not quite sure how it happened…you’re not alone. For many people, getting arrested or charged with a crime is a wake-up call. Maybe it was an argument that got out of hand in your mind. Perhaps this is your first domestic violence offense–or maybe it’s just the first time your partner called the cops. Maybe you’ve been here before–and you’re not sure why you keep crossing the line into physical violence. If so, here’s a question to ponder: Do you suffer from low self-esteem?

Granted, if you’ve just been arrested, your opinion of yourself is likely quite low at the moment. But think beyond this moment–how do you feel about yourself in general?

The reason we’re asking is that domestic violence doesn’t happen in a vacuum, nor is it a random occurrence. It happens because of something that lies beneath–and in many cases, it is driven by a significantly low sense of self-worth. Let’s discuss this link further and discuss possible solutions that may help.

Published on: November 24, 2023

The Impact of Stress and Financial Strain on Domestic Violence

by Michael Kraut

There’s no denying it: we live in very stressful times. When the pressure is on, we may respond in ways we would not otherwise. Financial stress, in particular, can be especially overwhelming in this day and age. For many individuals, especially those who may struggle with anger issues, this can unfortunately increase the risk of aggression.

Perhaps you’ve struggled lately under the weight of stress. Maybe it got the better of you, and you took it out on your spouse or partner. Maybe things got physical, and you’re now charged with domestic battery–or maybe your partner legitimately felt threatened and became fearful that you would harm them. If you’re now facing charges of domestic violence, the first step in righting the situation is to understand what happened and how you might prevent a recurrence. Let’s take a closer look at the role of stress in general–and financial strain, in particular–on the risk of domestic violence in families.

The Prevalence of Stress

Published on: October 18, 2023

Can an Undiagnosed Mental Illness Trigger Domestic Violence?

by Michael Kraut

If you’ve been arrested or charged with domestic battery, criminal threats, or other forms of domestic violence, the one thing that could make matters worse is not understanding how or why it happened. How, exactly, did you get here? Perhaps you have some anger issues, but you never expected an argument with your partner to escalate to an arrest. Or maybe you’ve been struggling with your mental health but never formally diagnosed with any condition. This begs the question: can an undiagnosed mental illness trigger domestic violence?

In short, yes, it’s possible for an undiagnosed mental illness to contribute to violent behavior in a relationship. Not all cases of domestic violence are as straightforward as they seem, and in some instances, undiagnosed mental illnesses play a significant role in provoking aggressive or violent behavior. While there is no direct causation between mental illness and domestic violence, certain conditions can increase the risk of aggressive or violent behavior. This is especially true for individuals with a history of anger management issues or difficulty controlling their emotions. Let’s explore this issue in a little more detail to provide more perspective.

The Prevalence of Undiagnosed Mental Illness

Published on: September 21, 2023

What Types of Treatment Are Available for Abusive Partners?

by Michael Kraut

Maybe you never thought you’d find yourself in this situation: arrested on suspicion of domestic violence and facing possible criminal charges. In your mind, perhaps it was just an argument that got out of hand. Maybe this is the first time it’s happened. Or possibly it’s happened before. Maybe–heaven forbid–it points to a pattern of abuse. Of course, the first order of business is to navigate the legal issues surrounding your arrest and charges–but what about afterward? If you have a problem, what steps can you take toward treatment to ensure you don’t keep hurting the people you love?

In the State of California, if this is your first domestic violence offense, the first question about treatment might be answered for you. If you are convicted, you will likely be mandated to attend a state-approved Batterer’s Intervention Program (BIP) for the next year as a condition of probation. But there’s been some question about the overall effectiveness of these programs–they seem to work well for some, not so much for others. What if you avoid conviction and aren’t mandated to attend a BIP, but you know there’s still an issue? Or what if you want to take responsibility for your own recovery, whether or not you attend a BIP?

The good news is that you do have some options. The actual type of treatment you should choose will depend in part on your personal circumstances, your background, and any root issues that may be triggering your violent behavior. Let’s explore some of the treatment options available to you.

Published on: August 11, 2023

Bystander Intervention: When Someone Reports You for Suspected Domestic Violence

by Michael Kraut

It’s a devastating, humiliating scenario that happens more often than we might think. You’re engaged in a heated discussion with your significant other–possibly outside or with the windows open in your home. Things get a bit out of hand. Not long after, there’s a knock on the door. It’s the police; a neighbor heard your argument and called 911. Next thing you know, you’re under arrest for suspected domestic battery.

Despite the numerous studies about the so-called “bystander effect” (suggesting that people in groups are less likely to intervene when someone is in trouble), the fact remains that many bystanders will intervene if they suspect domestic violence (as many as 85 percent of people will respond if they feel they are the only one who can help). There is also a current movement in our modern culture that encourages bystander intervention. In short, if someone hears or witnesses suspected domestic violence, there’s a strong likelihood that they will call the police. And in California, law enforcement is required to make an arrest if they see probable cause of violence when they arrive on the scene. Let’s discuss this dynamic, explore the role of bystanders in suspected domestic violence cases, and talk about your options if a bystander reports you.

Who Can Report Domestic Violence and Why They Might Do So?

Published on: July 16, 2023

What Happens to Family Pets in a Domestic Violence Case?

by Michael Kraut

When it comes to domestic violence, most of us think of it mainly in the context of what is happening to the victimized spouse/partner and how to keep any children safe from the threats of violence. We don’t often consider the question: what about the pets? One long-overlooked aspect of domestic violence is how frequently family pets are used as leverage between the perpetrator and the victim. Indeed, pet safety is a huge issue in these matters, and many people wonder how (or if) the protections California law offers extend to our animals.

The question is haunting whether you’re the victim or the defendant. If you’ve been accused of domestic violence, charged with a crime, and/or separated from your family through a protective order, you may wonder what will become of your dog or cat—particularly if that pet is technically yours. Let’s take a closer look at how California addresses the issue of what happens to family pets in domestic violence cases.

A Look at the Numbers

Published on: June 10, 2023

High-Profile Domestic Violence Cases and Copycat Situations

by Michael Kraut

As an example of how brutal domestic violence can be, in February 2020, a Brisbane, Australia, woman named Hannah Clarke became a household name when her ex-husband violated a protective order and killed her and her three children by dousing them with gasoline and lighting them on fire in the family car. Although badly burned himself, the man then exited the vehicle with a knife and tried to prevent paramedics and bystanders from putting out the fire before killing himself with the knife in his hand. The high-profile incident received graphic coverage from the media in Queensland and beyond.

A year and a half later, a study out of the University of Queensland discovered a direct link between the media coverage of Hannah Clarke and a string of copycat acts of domestic violence occurring in the following months across Queensland, with perpetrators burning or attempting to burn their partners or ex-partners. This phenomenon raises an important question: When high-profile domestic violence cases make headlines, can it lead to copycat situations? What causes the so-called “copycat effect” in these situations, and more importantly, what, if anything, can be done to mitigate this effect?

The Copycat Phenomenon and the Media’s Role

Published on: May 17, 2023

How a Domestic Violence Charge Can Impact Your Military or Law Enforcement Career

by Michael Kraut

pexels-kindel-media-7785089-300x169 Being accused of domestic violence can create a great deal of fear and uncertainty about the consequences and how they affect your future. While this is pretty much true for everyone across the board, it’s especially troublesome for those who serve in the military or some type of law enforcement—or those who aspire to such careers. One of the first and most poignant questions asked by domestic violence defendants pursuing these careers is, “How will this incident affect my future in the military (or law enforcement)?”

Unfortunately, the news is not great, especially if you’re convicted of a crime. If you and your attorney can get the charges resolved without a conviction, you can often avoid long-term impacts to your career. But if any of the charges result in a domestic violence conviction, it will likely disqualify you from having a career in law enforcement or the military for the foreseeable future.

Why a Domestic Violence Conviction Disqualifies You From a Military or Law Enforcement Career

Published on: April 25, 2023

Age Is Just a Number: When Senior Citizens Are Accused of Domestic Violence

by Michael Kraut

When thinking about domestic violence, most of us think about the elderly in the context of being possible victims (e.g., elder abuse). But what if you are an older person accused of committing domestic violence? Unfortunately, it can and does happen—and it can be even more traumatic and life-disruptive to be accused as an older person than a younger adult. What are the ramifications you may face? What happens if you’re convicted? Are there special factors the court might consider?

Regardless of whether there is any merit to the accusations, being an older adult accused of domestic violence can give rise to a myriad of complex issues. Let’s delve deeper into this question to see what we can learn.

What Circumstances Could Lead to Domestic Violence Charges Against a Senior?