Gina Kirschenheiter’s Estranged Husband Matt Pleads Not Guilty To Domestic Violence Charges, Gina Hopes “They Can Work Through The Difficulties They’re Having Now And Find Peace,” Sources Say!

Matt Kirschenheiter, the estranged husband of Real Housewives of Orange County star Gina Kirschenheiter pleaded not guilty to charges of domestic violence and false imprisonment on Friday, September 6.

According to court documents obtained by The Blast, Matt appeared at the Orange County Superior Court in California where he entered a not guilty plea over the two felony charges. He is facing up to four years imprisonment for domestic violence and an additional three for false imprisonment, the outlet added.

“The charges are just that, they’re just allegations. These type of cases, domestic violence type cases when there are are no independent witnesses, it’s a 1:1 situation and it really comes down to a credibility call,” Matt’s attorney, Ed Welbourn, told PEOPLE in a statement.

“Matt is a great dad, always has been. He’s a hardworking guy, has always provided for them. He’s an incredibly good person, and he’s very respected in the community,” Wilbourn says. “There’s also a divorce proceeding going on, he has unmonitored visitation — a decision that was made before this alleged incident. If Gina or the judge thought he was a danger, they would have not agreed to that. He’s not a violent person, he doesn’t have a history of that. He maintains his innocence and looks forward to the truth coming out and his day in court.”

On Wednesday, Matt was charged by the Orange County District Attorney’s Office with the charges relating to his June arrest. He allegedly “inflicted corporal injury resulting in a traumatic condition” upon Gina, 35, during the June 22 incident.

Meanwhile, sources close to Bravo reality star reveal that she’s hopeful the two will be able to co-parent their three children together in the future. “Matt is always going to be family for Gina,” the insider told PEOPLE. “She wants him in their children’s lives in the long term. She’s hoping they can work through the difficulties they’re having now and find peace.”

“The process has been really hard for Gina,” the source adds. “She never anticipated that she and Matt would be going through something like this in the public eye. She may be on a reality show, but she’s a very reserved person when she’s hurt, and she had hoped the two of them could settle their differences behind the scenes. She’s disappointed that’s not what’s been able to happen, for both of their sakes.”

Despite their troubles, the estranged couple has been “leaning on her family and friends for support,” the source explains.

“She spent some time over the summer back in Long Island with the kids and her parents, which really helped ground her,” says the insider. “Now that she’s been back in the OC, it’s just been about staying focused on her family.”

The sources also says, “She loves those kids so much. She’s a dedicated mom and is doing everything she can to protect them from the turmoil between her and Matt to make sure they’re having a happy childhood.”

Photo Credit: Bravo, OC Sheriff's Department