The political climate for cases of domestic violence now borders on that of a "witch hunt".

If asked, Police officers will admit that they feel they "have to" arrest someone if they are called to the scene of any kind of a domestic argument or dispute. They essentially will pick one of the parties (usually the man) and arrest someone just to cover themselves.

This climate of hysteria spills over into the prosecution of these cases. The District Attorney's Office aggressively prosecutes all reported incidents of violence in the home, even when 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 them to do so or refuses to testify in court. Prosecutors will even threaten a victim who changes her story that she may be prosecuted for making a false police report although they rarely, if ever, actually do this.

The penalties for domestic violence have become increasingly severe, including probation, anger management, batterer’s 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, even though you are paying the mortgage or rent for that home.

What you need is a fearless trial attorney who will fight for you in court. As a former member of the Santa Clara County District Attorney's Family Violence Unit, Cameron Bowman has particular expertise in defending these cases. In fact, Bowman recently attended the "Representing Defendants Accused of Domestic Violence" seminar put on by the Santa Clara County Bar Association and chaired by the Honorable Erica Yew.