Violence against women continues to be figure prominently in family law cases in the state of California as well as all other states.

Domestic Violence Homicides

  • According to the California Department of Justice, Criminal Justice Statistics Center3, there were 113domestic violence fatalities in 2008 (the most recent year for which data is available).
    • These accounted for 5% of all homicides in the State.
    • Of the 113 domestic violence homicides in 2008, 99 of the victims were females (88%), and 14were males (12%). “

It is imperative that victims of domestic violence end these relationships quickly and seek immediate help.  This is often easier said than done, with victims being trapped in a cycle of abuse which can be very difficult to break free from. 

This year a murder/suicide occured in front of the office of Sonoma County Attorney Jeff Zimmerman, who represented the woman in her family law case.  She was brutally murdered by her estranged ex-husband who stalked her.