Tuesday morning saw actor Tom Sizemore arrested under suspicion of felony domestic violence. LAPD investigators have declined to release any other information relating to the charges and subsequent arrest. After being booked, Sizemore was held in lieu of $50,000 bail.

This isn’t the first time the actor has made headlines for being on the wrong side of the law. In 2003, Sizemore plead guilty to assault and battery on  infamous Hollywood madam Heidi Fleiss. He was arrested a few additional times after 2003 on various drug charges and probation violations. By the actor’s own admission, he had been battling addictions to cocaine and methamphetamine.

Domestic violence is covered under a number of California laws. The actor was charged with a felony-level offense, which rules out some of them. Given Sizemore’s history, it’s possible that he was charged specifically with violating California Penal Code 273.5 PC: corporal injury on a spouse or cohabitant. When someone is charged with this crime, investigators must prove that the individual:

  • Willfully inflicted physical injury on someone else
  • The physical injury resulted in a traumatic condition and
  • The person injured was the suspect’s current or former intimate partner

The penalties for violating California Penal Code 273.5 PC include 2, 3 or 4-years in California state prison, a fine of up to $6,000 and/or felony probation. In similar cases, a restraining order is also filed which prohibits contact between the victim and the defendant for up to 1o-years.

When someone has a relatively recent prior conviction of domestic violence, the potential penalties increase. If the individual has a prior conviction of simple battery, aggravated battery, sexual battery or assault with a deadly weapon, the potential fine is increased to $10,000 and the prison sentence to 5-years. Fortunately for Tom Sizemore, these prior convictions must have happened within the past 7-years. Since prior conviction was in 2003, it is highly likely he will not receive the enhanced sentence.

Robin Sandoval

Robin Sandoval

Robin Sandoval is a California Licensed Bail Bondsman and owner of SCV Bail Bonds. Robin writes blogs and articles to help increase community awareness of the bail industry. If you have questions or want to suggest a topic, email robin@scvbailbonds.com, visit www.scvbailbonds.com or call 661-299-2245.
Robin Sandoval
Robin Sandoval
Robin Sandoval

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