William C. Makler is a Santa Barbara criminal defense attorney who represents individuals accused of domestic violence in Santa Barbara. With 18 years criminal justice experience, Mr. Makler has defended thousands of cases in court.

District attorneys, police officers, and the State of California take domestic violence charges very seriously. An officer called to the scene of a domestic disturbance almost always arrests a person accused of spousal abuse, despite all efforts by the victim to prevent it or later drop domestic violence charges. Contact attorney William C. Makler for more information.

What types of penalties do I face?

If convicted on domestic violence charges in California, you may face incarceration, formal probation, 12 months of battery treatment classes, fines, restitution and a permanent criminal record for domestic or spousal abuse.

If you have been arrested for spousal battery or domestic abuse, you need an experienced Santa Barbara Criminal Defense Atorney to represent you. Attorney William C. Makler has 18 years experience dealing with the complexities and challenges of the criminal justice system. Whether you wish to enter into a plea or take your case to trial, Mr. Makler has the knowledge and experience required to help guide you through the process.

It is usually unwise to speak to the police without legal counsel present.

This is the most important guideline of all. You have a right to remain silent, and that means you do not have to answer any questions at all. You may think that you can talk your way out of trouble, but you may accidentally reveal something that the police will use as evidence against you. The situation is more common than one might imagine. Often, attorneys see clients who have spoken to the police without representation who have significantly damaged their chances in court.