Former USC and NFL star Keyshawn Johnson was arrested on Monday morning and booked on misdemeanor domestic battery charges.  Johnson is currently known for his role as an NFL analyst on ESPN and currently lives in the west San Fernando Valley area.

It was reported that there was a fight between Johnson and his ex-girlfriend which, allegedly, got physical, and caused some kind of cut or other injury to her hand.  There were other reports that the argument was over marriage and that Johnson, allegedly, broke or was in the process of trying to throw her cell phone.

Johnson was booked and released on $20,000 bail and will be making his court appearance in the Van Nuys Superior Courtsometime in the coming month or so.

If you have been involved in a domestic dispute or have been arrested for domestic violence or domestic battery in Los Angeles, there are some important things for you to consider before you go to court.  The prosecutor’s office in Los Angeles, be it the City Attorney or District Attorney, typically have a special unit that handles all “special victims crimes,” which usually include domestic violence.  These prosecutors usually proceed with the case even if the victim wants to recant or “drop the charges.”  Therefore, it is important to know how to handle these specially assigned cases the right way to avoid having a violent crime conviction on your record.  There are also several different penal code sections dealing with incidents surrounding a domestic dispute.

In Los Angeles, misdemeanor domestic violence or domestic battery convictions usually involve either 30 days of county jail, 30 days of Cal Trans work, 3 years of informal probation, a 52-week domestic violence class, victim restitution, fines and fees to the court, possible criminal protective order and the possibility of losing the right to own a firearm.  In addition, a domestic violence or domestic battery conviction is a “violent crime” that may make it difficult to keep or find employment.

There may also be immigration issues arising from a conviction for domestic violence or domestic battery in Los Angeles.  Most of these domestic violence crimes are classified as crimes of “moral turpitude” and will give rise to deportation proceedings if you are convicted of these charges in court.

All this being said, there are a number of other possible ways to resolve your case that might include a dismissal of the charges, a reduction in the charges, and/or getting the prosecutor to strike some of the other obligations and penalties typically associated with a domestic violence conviction.  There is the possibility of resolving the case through a civil compromise or through some kind of diversion.  All this will typically depend on the facts of your case, the extent or lack of injuries, prior criminal history and the victim.

If you have been arrested or charged with domestic violence or domestic battery in Los Angeles, East Los Angeles, Airport Court, Pasadena Court or Burbank Court, contact attorney Ross Erlich today for a free case consultation