Legal Question in Landlord & Tenant Law in California

You are describing a rather challenging situation. As you were provoked into physically responding to her harassing conduct, the police are choosing to view the issue as one of "mutual combat". Your best course of actions look like this: (1) Avoid contact and any level of engagement with the neighbor or any of her relatives or associates; (2) Make every effort to get through your lease agreement and secure replacement housing as soon as possible; (3) If you believe yourself to be at risk of further physical assault you may want to consider seeking a civil harassment restraining order. The downside of the restraining order, is that it may enrage the neighbor even further. On the other hand, it could provide you with legal protection in the event of further physically harassing conduct. While the verbal harassment is uncomfortable, once things become physical and mutual combat results, you put yourself in a legally vulnerable position.

I would focus on moving to a new location and being very, very, very careful not to let anyone know where you will be living once you move.