C. Zadik Shapiro has done over a hundred domestic violence cases.

Domestic Violence is defined by California Penal Code Section 13700 as any abuse committed against an adult or a minor who is a spouse, former spouse, cohabitant, former cohabitant, or person with whom the suspect has had a child or is having or has had a dating or engagement relationship. For purposes of this subdivision, “cohabitant” means two unrelated adult persons living together for a substantial period of time, resulting in some permanency of relationship. Factors that may determine whether persons are cohabiting include, but are not limited to, (1) sexual relations between the parties while sharing the same living quarters, (2) sharing of income or expenses, (3) joint use or ownership of property, (4) whether the parties hold themselves out as husband and wife, (5) the continuity of the relationship, and (6) the length of the relationship.

It is often charged along with charges of stalking, terrorist threat, assault and battery charges.

It is frequently charged and it can be charged either as a felony or a misdemeanor.
Special rules apply to trials and sentencing of domestic violence cases and one charged with a domestic violence case should use an attorney experienced with such cases. Depending upon how it is charged as a felony it can be a strike.