Ask any domestic violence defense attorney and he will agree that going through domestic violence criminal case can be one of the most stressful and emotionally stressful tests you can face. In addition to facing criminal proceedings, you are often faced with criminal protection orders and may be alienated from family members and evicted from your home for long periods.
Domestic violence brings the added dimension of the victims of your alleged crime being family members, so family wounds need to be healed and emotional trauma overcome. In some situations, arrest itself can be the so-called "last straw" in a relationship, leading to divorce or the end of the relationship.
In addition, domestic violence courts are backward and have a heavy workload, so domestic violence cases are slow to develop. You must be very patient and work with your domestic violence attorney to achieve a favorable outcome in your criminal case so that you can continue to repair the trauma at home and heal your own family.
In this section, I'll make some recommendations, based on my 25 years of experience in domestic violence advocacy, and answer some of the questions my clients ask me on an almost daily basis.
1. Hire an experienced domestic violence attorney
While some of the domestic violence charges brought in court may seem a little trivial, such as: For example, disorderly conduct or misdemeanor, and you could probably settle the case without a lawyer, much is at stake in doing so. A conviction for a domestic violence crime has a lifelong impact on your reputation and ability to work. While these types of cases are pending against you, they will come up during a criminal investigation and can result in missing out on job openings. A felony conviction for certain crimes against domestic violence results in a lifetime ban on possession of firearms. By hiring an experienced criminal lawyer, you stand the chance of having your case resolved as quickly as possible and in the cheapest way. When you face the power of the state, you need an experienced and knowledgeable criminal defense attorney to advise and stand by your side to protect your rights and fight for the best outcome.
2. Do not violate the provisions of the Criminal Protection Ordinance.
Review your protection orders carefully with your defense lawyer and follow them closely. The main complication I see in the domestic violence cases I deal with daily are what are known as "technical violations" of criminal protection orders when a client has contacted the victim in any way in violation of the guidelines. an order of protection. If you take on the additional charge of violating a protection order, not only is it a crime you will face, but it will result in your domestic violence case being resolved from a more complicated source and taking longer to complete. No matter how tempting it may be to contact the victim while their case is still going on (if you have a no-touch order, you don't have one), you need to get a big picture and keep in mind that the order or protection is temporary. and it is eventually overturned by the Tribunal. A little patience at this point pays off for the latter.
3. Be very careful with "partial" protection orders
Many people are happy to receive the less restrictive so-called “partial” protection order rather than a full non-contact order because it allows them to contact the victim and continue their employment. However, these types of guard orders create many gray and dangerous areas for reporting breaches of guard orders. The contactless control is done in black and white. It simply means not contacting the victim. It's easy to understand when it hurts. A "partial" order that includes the language not to attack, threaten, harass or disturb the victim has many more gray areas. The words "annoy" and "disturb" are very ambiguous. In some situations, victims of domestic violence have been known to use these "partial" words like swords, turning a minor disagreement into a situation in which the accused is arrested for violating a victim's false claims. If you have a "partial" protection order, I advise you to be very careful while the order is in effect and to be careful with the victim. Too many defendants are happy with the situation and get into an argument or disagreement that leads to a call to 911 and an additional arrest for violating a protection order. If you have partial protection order, consult your domestic violence attorney for the best practices so you don’t get caught up with the web of violating the law.
4. Do not recognize any new arrests
One of the worst things you can do to complicate your domestic violence case is to start a new criminal case while your current case is ongoing. The prosecutor and the court will treat defendants who continue to be arrested very unfavorably and you will not get a positive solution to your case in this way. Obviously, it is best to get out of trouble and do your best to stay in the background until your deal is closed. Domestic violence incidents can last up to two years if you participate in the family violence awareness program. Therefore, it is important to stay vigilant and focus on preventing further criminal arrests until your domestic violence case is closed.
5. Seek therapy when you are having an emotionally difficult time.
Getting arrested on a domestic violence case and going through the judicial system can be extremely stressful. Adding to the mix the family and relationship issues that led to your domestic violence arrest can be emotionally overwhelming. A few sessions with a therapist can be very helpful in going through the domestic violence process and rebuilding your relationship with loved ones. In most cases, however, proof that you are seeking therapy can also be of great use to ensure a more favorable solution to your case and/or to induce the court to change the criminal protection orders entered. There are practically no cases of domestic violence in which the search for therapy does not have a positive effect on the settlement negotiations with the public prosecutor. In addition, many clients report that working with an experienced therapist has been truly a helpful and productive experience that has helped them navigate the difficult process of dealing with a domestic violence case. I recommend speaking to your Greenwich domestic violence attorney to see if attending private therapy sessions would help find a more affordable solution in your case. If you are feeling stressed and need help, don't hesitate to seek the help of a professional who can help you a lot.
6. When does the court start? What should you wear in court? Etc.
Domestic violence cases are heard on special days called "d / v" days. The court starts at 10:00 a.m., and you should usually try to arrive around 9:30 am. So that you can discuss all the details with your lawyer at the last minute. You don't want to be late for your court appearances as the court may issue an arrest warrant against him that will require an additional headache to resolve.
Many customers ask what to wear in court. Ideally, you want to wear the kind of business attire that you would wear to an interview. You want to make a good impression on the judge and the prosecutor. Now is not the time for extravagant fashion statements or overly casual looks. I am confident that if you take the time to read this document when you appear in court, you will endeavor to present yourself professionally.
If you have to pay fines or fees for programs (such as the Family Violence Education Program), those payments must be made on the same day as the hearing date. The court accepts cash, checks, and credit and debit cards.
7. There is light at the end of the tunnel.
The vast majority of domestic violence accused are first-time offenders who have never been arrested and who are being blushed for the first time by the criminal justice system. While it can seem very confusing, frustrating, and stressful to go through the process, most cases end with all charges dismissed. When you are in the middle of the process it can seem like forever, and many customers report that they feel very stressed by the experience. However, in most cases, the end result will be positive and you will run out of criminal records and the charges will be dropped. The most important thing to do when facing a domestic violence arrest is to contact a Stamford domestic violence attorney as soon as possible so that you have an effective defense strategy in place from day one and the process that way as smoothly as possible and as quickly as possible.
Leave Your Past Behind: How to Get Out of Domestic Violence Charges
There are very few crimes that can change family dynamics like allegations of domestic violence. Just being accused of domestic violence is enough to change your life forever.
The good news is that domestic violence allegations don't have to change your life forever, and if you take a few steps you can move your life forward.
When the world returns to normal, it is important to understand how to get out of your past pressures and start a new life.
Remember, you are not the victim
People accused of domestic violence extremely often feel victimized, especially when their lives are seriously affected.
Case 1: Let's say you argued with your partner, things have flared up and the police have been called and reported a domestic violence incident. You know for sure that you haven't hurt anyone, but when the police arrive they'll arrest you immediately. Now he is being charged with a crime he did not commit, and the charge alone changed his life.
Case 2: This time, let's imagine that you hurt someone you love. They know you are not violent and they do not know what happened to you. Now she is charged with domestic violence and will almost certainly change her life in myriad ways.
Regardless of the situation, it is important to remember that life is not always fair. Seeing yourself as a victim in any of the above situations can make your situation better. While you cannot change the past, you can try to change your future behavior. Taking responsibility for your actions is the first step in the right direction.
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