{"id":27566,"date":"2024-10-04T05:43:20","date_gmt":"2024-10-04T05:43:20","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.monderlaw.com\/\/?p=27566"},"modified":"2024-10-04T05:44:13","modified_gmt":"2024-10-04T05:44:13","slug":"elder-abuse-felony-charges-defense-consequence-california","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.monderlaw.com\/news\/elder-abuse-felony-charges-defense-consequence-california\/","title":{"rendered":"Consequences &#038; Defense Strategies for Elder Abuse"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-27563\" src=\"https:\/\/www.monderlaw.com\/\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/10\/Is-elder-abuse-a-felony-in-California.jpg\" alt=\"Is elder abuse a felony in California\" width=\"1000\" height=\"667\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.monderlaw.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/10\/Is-elder-abuse-a-felony-in-California.jpg 1000w, https:\/\/www.monderlaw.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/10\/Is-elder-abuse-a-felony-in-California-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.monderlaw.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/10\/Is-elder-abuse-a-felony-in-California-768x512.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px\" \/>In California, the crime of elder abuse is categorized as one of the more serious offenses in the sphere of domestic violence. As such, it carries harsh repercussions, including lengthy prison times, strikes on the criminal record, and hefty fines.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Fortunately, an adept elder abuse defense lawyer in San Diego can employ a variety of <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.monderlaw.com\/\/domestic-violence\/elder-abuse\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">strategies to lower the sentence or have the charges dropped<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> completely. Today, we\u2019ll help you familiarize yourself with both the implications and defenses for elder abuse in California.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Is elder abuse a felony in California?<\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Under the <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/leginfo.legislature.ca.gov\/faces\/codes_displaySection.xhtml?sectionNum=368&amp;lawCode=PEN\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">California Penal Code \u00a7368<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, abuse of the elder can be tried as either a misdemeanor or a felony, depending on the severity of harm caused to the person and the intent of the perpetrator:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Felony elder abuse: If the perpetrator&#8217;s actions were willful or intentional, and they resulted in serious physical injury or death, great mental or emotional harm, or significant financial exploitation, the District Attorney\u2019s office will most likely choose to pursue the offense as a felony.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Misdemeanor elder abuse: If the perpetrator\u2019s actions (or inaction) merely put the elder in a dangerous position, they neither knew of the risks nor was the danger obvious at the time they engaged in the conduct, or if the extent of physical, mental, emotional, or financial harm is less severe, the case is most likely be filed as a misdemeanor.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Still, similar to the <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.monderlaw.com\/\/news\/what-child-endangerment-felony-misdemeanor-california\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">cases of child abuse and endangerment<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, i.e. due to the vulnerability of this demographic group, both misdemeanor and felony cases of elder abuse carry significant consequences, with the latter being much more severe.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">What\u2019s the defense against elder abuse charges in California?<\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">There are several effective strategies criminal defense attorneys may employ to clear a person of charges, which may include proving one or more of the following:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">False accusations: The defendant&#8217;s conduct does not <a href=\"https:\/\/www.monderlaw.com\/\/news\/what-qualify-type-elder-abuse-california-ca\/\">constitute elder abuse under CA PC \u00a7368<\/a> or the victim made false allegations.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Lack of intent: The defendant did not purposely harm the elder or placed them in the position of harm through criminal negligence.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Mistaken identity: It wasn\u2019t the defendant who committed elder abuse but, rather, a third party.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Different sources of harm: Injuries were caused by something other than abuse.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Consent: The elderly voluntarily consented to actions that resulted in them being harmed.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Insufficient evidence: Lack of clear or convincing evidence of abuse.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Note that this is not a comprehensive list. There are several other possible options and you can expect your attorney to explore them accordingly, based on the circumstances surrounding your case.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">What are the consequences of elder abuse?<\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The severity of consequences for the crime of elder abuse will depend on whether it\u2019s sentenced as a misdemeanor or a felony:<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Misdemeanor elder abuse:\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Up to 1 year in county jail;<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Fine of up to $6,000;<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Be issued a Protective Order;<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Be issued a Stay Away Order;<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Informal probation;<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Restitution to the victim.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Felony elder abuse:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">2, 3, or 4 years in state prison;<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Fine of up to $10,000;<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Receive a strike on the record, per CA Three Strikes law;<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Formal probation;<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Be issued a Protective Order;<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Be issued a Stay Away Order;<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Restitution to the Victim.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">In addition, there are several possible enhancements to the sentence, based on the victim\u2019s age:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The victim is\/was under 70: 3 additional years for greater bodily injury and 5 additional years for death;<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The victim is\/was over 70: 5 additional years for greater bodily injury and 7 additional years for death.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Note that these enhancements only apply if the perpetrator knew about the victim&#8217;s age at the time of the offense. Otherwise, this is another opportunity for the defense to lower the sentence or even cause the dropping of charges altogether.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Who\u2019s a proven elder abuse defense lawyer near me in San Diego?<\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">If you\u2019re looking at <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.monderlaw.com\/\/news\/what-273a-law-child-endangerment-jail-prison-time\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">charges for child endangerment<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, elder abuse, or any other type of domestic violence, you want a team that is capable of providing tailored and strategic defense, boasts extensive knowledge of the subject matter, and is willing to go above and beyond to prove your innocence.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">In San Diego, you will find that team at Monder Criminal Lawyers Group. With a collective of recognized specialists and a track record of success, we\u2019re the best choice of legal partner you\u2019ll find anywhere from the <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Port_of_San_Diego\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Port of San Diego<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> to Escondido and beyond. Reach out to us today and let us start building you a robust defense that you deserve!<\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>In California, the crime of elder abuse is categorized as one of the more serious offenses in the sphere of domestic violence. As such, it carries harsh repercussions, including lengthy prison times, strikes on the criminal record, and hefty fines. Fortunately, an adept elder abuse defense lawyer in San Diego can employ a variety of [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":27563,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[3],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-27566","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-blog"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v26.1.1 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/wordpress\/plugins\/seo\/ -->\n<title>Elder Abuse Defense &amp; Repercussions | Lawyer in San Diego<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Is elder abuse a felony or misdemeanor? What are the legal repercussions of this crime &amp; is there an effective defense against the charges? 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