Lindsay Lohan’s Estranged Father Michael Lohan, Pleads Not Guilty to Misdemeanour Domestic Violence Charges

You could be charged with felony domestic violence under California Penal Code 273.5 if you cause corporal injury or trauma to a former spouse, current spouse, fiancée, girlfriend or someone you are dating or the parent of your child by striking the person violently or causing a bruise or swelling, or you could be charged with a misdemeanor battery under Penal Code Section 243(e)(1) if there is no sign of visible injuries. Threatening someone with committing harm to them is also a crime in California under Penal Code Section 422.

Penalties and Fines

You could face a minimum 30 days jail time for a first time misdemeanor domestic battery conviction and mandatory attendance of a 52-week batter’s class. For a domestic violence felony conviction under Penal Code 273.5, you could face up to one year in county jail or two to four years in state prison, or a fine up to $6,000 or both. If you are an immigrant and are convicted of domestic violence, you will be deported. A domestic violence conviction stays on your record, and you could be denied employment, a state license or other benefits such as federal college Pell grants and other assistance.

Case Example:

Michael Lohan, actress Lindsay Lohan’s estranged father, plead not guilty in Beverly Hills court on May 23, 2011, to misdemeanor domestic violence charges against his ex-fiancée and girlfriend Kate Majors for allegedly holding her against her will and not allowing her to call police. He was arrested on March 21, 2011 and charged with false imprisonment, preventing the report of victimization and inflicting corporate injury on a co-habitant. He faces up to one year in prison if convicted. Bail was set at $200,000.  Majors filed a police report with the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department after an argument that occurred between the couple turned physical. Majors also claimed that Lohan became physically violent towards her during the filming of Celebrity Rehab at the time she visited Lohan at the Pasadena Therapy Centre to take part in a therapy session with Lohan. Lohan has a history of arrests in New York regarding harassment charges filed by former girlfriends.

If you are arrested for domestic violence or domestic battery in California, you should contact a California criminal law attorney to defend you. The attorney may be able to argue self-defense, defense of others or accident to get felony charges reduced to a misdemeanour with probation or attendance of a batter’s class or gets the case dismissed.

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