The term “Corporal Injury” makes you think of “corporal punishment,” which conjures up images of children having their fingers rapped with a ruler in school, a school administered spanking, and other types of punishment that were relatively common just a few generations ago. But a charge of corporal injury doesn't actually have anything to do with corporal punishment, at least, not corporal punishment of a child.
What is Corporal Injury in California?
Corporal injury, or more specifically “corporal injury on a spouse or cohabitant,” is defined by California law as “willfully inflicting a physical injury that causes a 'traumatic condition' on an intimate partner.” Let's define a few of these terms, to understand better what could be considered corporal injury.
Who Qualifies as an Intimate Partner?
- A spouse
- A Former Spouse
- A Cohabitant (someone you live with)
- A Former Cohabitant (someone you used to live with)
- A Boyfriend (including same-sex boyfriends)
- A Girlfriend (including same-sex girlfriends)
- A Fiance'
- A Former Fiance'
- The Parent of Your Child
In other words, anyone you have had a romantic or intimate relationship with, at any point, for any length of time, would be considered an intimate partner.
What is considered a “physical injury?”
- Any Injury That Leaves a Mark, Such As A Bruise Or Cut
What is a Violation of PC 273.5?
Penal Code 273.5 reads: "(a) Any person who willfully inflicts corporal injury resulting in a traumatic condition upon a victim described in subdivision (b) is guilty of a felony, and upon conviction thereof shall be punished by imprisonment in the state prison for two, three, or four years, or in a county jail for not more than one year, or by a fine of up to six thousand dollars ($6,000) or by both that fine and imprisonment. (b) Subdivision (a) shall apply if the victim is or was one or more of the following: (1) The offender's spouse or former spouse. (2) The offender's cohabitant or former cohabitant. (3) The offender's fiancé or fiancée, or someone with whom the offender has, or previously had, an engagement or dating relationship, as defined in paragraph (10) of subdivision (f) of Section 243. (4) The mother or father of the offender's child.”
Other names for the crimes defined in PC 273.5 are:
Domestic Abuse
Domestic Violence
Willful Infliction of Corporal Injury
Spousal Abuse
Examples of Corporal Injury
When having an argument with someone you have or used to have a relationship with, it's more important than ever to stay calm and keep from placing your hands on that person. You can find yourself facing charges of Corporal Injury much more easily than you might think. Here are some examples of situations that can result in a corporal injury charge:
- A woman is angry with her boyfriend and scratches his face, leaving marks down his cheek.
- A man, frustrated with his wife, grabs her arm hard enough to leave a bruise.
- A same-sex couple gets in a fight that becomes physical, hitting and punching one another. Both parties could be charged with inflicting corporal injury on an intimate partner.
In relationships, feelings run high. When anger gets mixed in, it's all too easy for things to become physical. But, it doesn't take much for physical anger to leave a mark, and a mark is all that's required for a charge of corporal punishment.
Is Corporal Injury a Felony?
Corporal injury can be charged as a felony or a misdemeanor. The requirement that the victim has some sort of physical injury, however, separates a corporal injury charge from the less serious but related charge of domestic batter, a violation of Penal Code 243(e)(1). Whether corporal injury will be charged as a felony or misdemeanor depend on the facts of the individual case, including the defendant's criminal history.
What Are the Punishments for Corporal Injury?
Misdemeanor Corporal Injury can result in a sentence of up to one year in jail and a fine of up to $6,000.
Felony Corporal Injury charges can result in up to four years in a state prison.
Can I be Arrested for Corporal Injury?
If you become involved in an argument, or fight, with a someone you are or were involved with romantically, and the other person has sustained any kind of injury, no matter how slight, it is likely that you could be arrested for corporal injury. Being arrested for corporal injury doesn't depend on the victim wanting you arrested. Domestic violence charges are taken very seriously in California. Most district attorney's offices have special teams dedicated to pursuing any charges related to domestic violence and will often pursue those charges even when the victim recants their testimony or refuses to make accusations, altogether.
If the police are called out for a domestic violence call, emotions are usually running high, and law enforcement officers know they need to be on high alert because things can sometimes get out of hand. It is not uncommon for people involved in a domestic dispute to turn on law enforcement, once they arrive, so the police may come in expecting trouble. Don't give it to them. It will only make matters worse! And, resisting the police can end you with additional and even more serious charges.
If you are arrested for corporal injury:
- Cooperate physically with the police, even if they feel they have to restrain you.
- Remain calm, and speak calmly to officers, if you choose to speak to them, at all.
- Keep your hands in plain sight, at all times.
- Avoid speaking to the other party involved in the dispute, while the police are there.
- If you have to speak to the other person involved, keep your voice calm.
- Don't yell at anyone! That includes police officers, neighbors, and the other person involved in the dispute.
By keeping your head about you, and conducting yourself appropriately with the police, you can:
- Avoid additional charges
- Put yourself in a better light
- Allow law enforcement officers to see you as calm and reasonable
- Set yourself up for a better defense, down the road
How Long Will I be in Jail for Corporal Injury?
If you are arrested for corporal injury, you will be transported to a detention facility, charged with a crime, and booked into the jail. This process can take several hours. You will be allowed to make up to three free phone calls. Use at least one of these to call Mr. Nice Guy Bail Bonds at (844)400-2245 to start the process for getting you out of jail quickly.
Can I get Corporal Injury Bail?
Once you've been charged and booked, the law enforcement officers at the detention facility should be able to tell you how much your bail will be for the charges you face. Bail is the amount of money the court holds onto, to ensure that you show up for court appearances, trials, motions, etc., until your case comes to its conclusion.
How Much is Corporal Injury Bail?
There is usually a bail schedule posted at the jail where you are booked, so you can easily see exactly what your bail will be, based on the charges they've booked you for. If there is no schedule posted, the authorities at the facility should be able to tell you how much bail is required for your charges.
What are Corporal Injury Bail Bonds?
If you have the cash on hand to pay your bail, you can pay it and be on your way. However, it is not uncommon for the amount of bail to be more than most people can come up with quickly. In this case, you should call Mr. Nice Guy Bail Bonds, immediately! Mr. Nice Guy and his team of licensed professionals will post bail for you, for a fraction of the cost of the entire amount of bail. Bail bonds are generally 10% of the total cost of bail. Call Mr. Nice Guy Bail Bonds at (844)400-2245 to start the process and get out of jail fast.
How Can I Get Corporal Injury Bail Bonds?
Mr. Nice Guy Bail Bonds is the number one bail bond company in Southern California and has been featured on national television. Mr. Nice Guy and his team of licensed professionals will work fast to get you out of jail and back to your regular life as quickly as possible. When you call (844) 400-BAIL (2245), be sure to have your name, birth date, booking number, and location available for fastest service.
Call Mr. Nice Guy Bail Bonds to Get Out Of Jail Fast
Mr. Nice Guy's licensed bail agents can process bail bonds for arrests throughout Southern California. No other bail bondsman can offer lower rates or work faster to get you out of jail. Call now, or start the bail bonds process online. (
