Our Orange domestic violence criminal defense attorneys were interested to read about an Orange County sheriff's deputy who was arrested and jailed twice this week in a domestic violence matter. As the Orange County Register reported Feb. 3, Travis Unholtz was arrested Jan. 31 in a domestic violence dispute. His legal problems were further complicated Feb. 2 when he was caught trying to buy or borrow a gun, a violation of the protective order he was subject to as part of the domestic violence case. Unholtz, 36, is on paid leave while the case is investigated. Because he's a deputy, the Sheriff's Department is coordinating the investigation with Orange County prosecutors.
Sheriff's deputies were originally called to Unholtz's home in Trabuco Canyon on Sunday. No details of the original altercation were given, but the Register reported that one victim was taken to Mission Hospital for treatment of a cut. He was booked on suspicion of spousal abuse and released Monday. At that time, he was subject to a protective order, which among other things forbids him from having a firearm. His service weapon was taken away and he was not supposed to have another. Nonetheless, police apparently found him in the parking lot of the Ayres Hotel and Spa after receiving information that he was trying to obtain a gun. He was arrested on charges of violating a protective order.
As Riverside domestic violence criminal defense lawyers, we hope Unholtz has hired an experienced attorney - and is following that attorney's advice. Anyone arrested for domestic violence is likely to be under the same type of protective order that Unholtz had - although most such people don't carry firearms for work. When they do, a protective order can cause trouble at work or even a firing. And of course, stay-away orders cause trouble in lots of other ways. That's why we prefer to take cases as early as possible - so we can avoid charges in the first place or fight protective orders. Many domestic violence cases are fights that got out of hand, not long-term abuse situations, and some protective orders are unnecessarily invasive.
At Howard Law, P.C., we represent Californians who are charged with spousal abuse, domestic battery, domestic assault and other domestic violence crimes. Domestic violence typically pits one person's word against another's, with no witnesses or only child witnesses to clarify the situation. In cases like this, some police officers will simply arrest both people involved in the fight. This nearly guarantees that an innocent person will be arrested, often directly after an incident of abuse or a fight. Our Temecula domestic violence criminal defense attorneys work to ensure that our clients aren't further burdened with a criminal conviction, which can carry serious or invasive penalties including jail or prison, anger management, firearms restrictions and more.
If you've been charged with domestic violence, don't hesitate to contact Howard Law, P.C. for help. To set up a free consultation, contact us through our website or call 1-800-872-5925 today.
