In many types of criminal cases, an attorney can appear for you at your arraignment and other court appearances. This allows those accused of most misdemeanors to go on with their normal lives without being inconvenienced by various court appearances. However, this is not the case if you were charged with domestic violence. California Penal Code §977 mandates that you must appear in court with your attorney for your arraignment and sentencing and at any time during the case when ordered by the court.

As a result, you may have to take additional time off from work in order to appear. This rule makes hiring the right attorney even more important. An experienced attorney can help guide you through the process of a domestic violence case, and he or she can make court appearances less stressful.