Criminal Defense
Domestic Violence Defense Attorney in San Diego
An accusation can upend your family, your freedom, and your future. We defend the wrongly accused and protect your rights at every stage.
Domestic violence allegations in San Diego are treated with extraordinary aggression by prosecutors — often before anyone has heard your side. A single 911 call can lead to a mandatory arrest, a protective order that removes you from your own home, and charges that threaten your job, your custody rights, and your Second Amendment rights. At Tegnelia & DeBose, APC, we understand how often these cases arise from misunderstandings, self-defense, or a partner's exaggeration during an emotional moment. We move quickly to address restraining orders, investigate the accuser's motives and inconsistencies, and preserve evidence — text messages, photos, and witness accounts — that tells the real story. Our goal is to protect your reputation and pursue dismissal, reduction, or acquittal.
What We Handle
Charges & Cases We Defend
Our defense covers the full range of related charges and proceedings. If your situation isn't listed, call us — we handle it.
(619) 876-0992The Process
How We Defend Your Case
Every case is different, but our approach is disciplined and relentless from the first call to the final resolution.
Address the Restraining Order
We respond immediately to emergency and permanent protective orders so you aren't wrongly separated from your home or children.
Investigate the Accusation
We gather texts, call logs, photos, and witness statements that expose inconsistencies and reveal what actually happened.
Challenge the Evidence
We test the credibility of the accuser and the reliability of the state's proof, including recanted or coerced statements.
Resolve or Fight
We seek dismissal or reduction where possible and stand ready to try the case when the prosecution overreaches.
Consequences of a DV Conviction in California
Beyond jail and fines, a domestic violence conviction carries collateral consequences that can follow you for life. This is general information, not legal advice.
- Mandatory 52-week batterer's intervention program
- Loss of firearm rights under state and federal law
- Protective orders limiting contact with family
- Immigration consequences, including deportation for non-citizens
- Impact on child custody and professional licensing
The Difference
Why Hire a Private Criminal Defense Attorney
When your freedom and future are at stake, the right advocate makes all the difference. Here's what you get with a dedicated private defense team.
Time & Attention
Public defenders are overworked and stretched thin. We limit our caseload so your case gets the focus it deserves.
Early Intervention
We get involved from day one — often before charges are filed — when the biggest opportunities to change the outcome exist.
Independent Investigation
We deploy our own investigators and experts rather than relying on the police report the prosecution hands us.
Direct Access
You work directly with your attorney, not a rotating cast. Call, text, or email — we keep you informed at every step.
FAQ
Domestic Violence Defense FAQs
Answers to common questions about domestic violence defense cases in San Diego.
Not automatically. In California, the prosecutor — not the alleged victim — decides whether to pursue charges, and they often proceed even when the accuser recants. That's why you need your own advocate immediately.
Charged with Domestic Violence? Don't wait.
The sooner we get involved, the more we can do. Your first consultation is free.
Related Practice Areas
Explore Related Defenses
Get a Free, Confidential Case Review
Speak directly with Attorney Marcus DeBose about your case. No pressure, no judgment — just a clear plan to protect your future.
- Free Consultation
- Se Habla Español
- 24/7 Case Review
- Former Prosecutor Insight