After all the press this case has gotten, as a sex crimes attorney in Los Angeles, I just had to post a late blog with my two cents.   As many people know throughout Southern California, and the world, Catherine Becker has been accused and arrested for allegedly drugging her estranged husband, tying him up, cutting off his penis with a 10-inch kitchen knife, and dumping it in the garbage disposal. 

In the Central Justice Court in Santa Ana, Orange County, Ms. Becker was arraigned on charges including aggravated mayhem, assault with a deadly weapon, spousal abuse, and torture. 

Of course, as a criminal defense attorney who handles a lot of domestic violence cases all over California, I have to wonder whether rape or infidelity was a possible motive for these allegedly heinous crimes? Especially based on the defendant’s alleged comment to 911 dispatch that “he deserved it,” a criminal defense attorney brain has to play with the possibility that he may have sexually assaulted her to induce her to engage in such violent sexually related  acts towards him. 

Only time will tell whether this woman’s story is one of a sexually abused, victim of domestic violence, or merely a women scorned by cheating and infidelity.  Either way, she has a long criminal court battle to fight which could easily result in a life state prison sentence. 

If you, or a loved one, has been charged with domestic violence, or a sex crime, contact the experienced aggressive defense attorneys at the Law Offices of Karen L. Goldstein for a free, confidential consultation: (888) 445-6313.

Another celeb bites the dust…this time it’s Nicholas Cage, oscar-winning actor, who has been accused, and arrested for domestic violence, disturbing the peace, and public intoxication in the French Quarter of New Orleans.

Allegedly, the incident began around 11:30pm when Nicholas Cage began verbally arguing with his wife in New Orleans.  They were apparently standing in front of a residence arguing and Nicholas cage grabbed her upper arm and pulled her in a different direction.  Cage then allegedly struck numerous parked vehicles and attempted to drive away in a taxi.

The police arrived and believed that Cage was heavily under the influence of alcohol and ordered Cage out of the taxi.

Given the facts released as of today, as a criminal defense attorney who works on many domestic violence cases in southern California, this appears to be a very minor case of domestic violence if the only alleged physical contact was the pulling on an upper arm.  In California, if the injuries alleged are very minor such as bruises, or scratches, then domestic violence incidents will often be charged as a misdemeanor provided that there is no criminal history of abuse between the couple and no other aggravating factors such as the utterance of criminal threats etc.

Either way, this is yet another example of a celebrity behaving badly.  Only time will tell whether this oscar-winning actor will prove that his convincing portrayal of an alcoholic addict in roles such as “Leaving Las Vegas” were truly acting and not reality.

If you, or a loved one has been accused of domestic violence, then call and speak with an experienced criminal defense attorney at the Law Offices of Karen L. Goldstein: (888) 445-6313.