What to Do When You Need a Virginia Domestic Violence Lawyer
If you have been charged with a domestic violence offense, Virginia domestic violence lawyer Gretchen T. Pousson of Scrofano Law is ready to wage a solid defense in your favor.
Hiring a Virginia Domestic Violence Attorney
You love your family, but if you have been accused of threatening, attacking, or otherwise harming a member of your household, you should immediately consult a Virginia domestic violence lawyer. Sometimes, a disagreement can escalate into a physical altercation that results in severe emotional or physical domestic abuse.
Being accused of spousal abuse or violence against a family member can be devastating. Not only might you face penalties that include jail time and fines, but you may be subjected to a restraining order that makes it difficult, if not impossible, for you to return to your home or see your children.
If police officers responding to a domestic disturbance call arrest someone, that person may receive a domestic violence charge from the courts. To reduce that likelihood, it is wise to immediately contact a domestic violence attorney like Gretchen T. Pousson of Scrofano Law for a free consultation. He has sufficient experience to review your legal issue, offer advice, and suggest a criminal defense strategy for the best outcome.
When to Hire a Domestic Violence Attorney in Virginia
Retaining the counsel of a Domestic violence attorney in Virginia is a vital first step if you face Virginia criminal charges. Suppose you discover an arrest warrant due to probable cause of violating a protective order or other criminal offenses. In that case, you should seek advice from domestic violence lawyers to discuss your legal options.
If you are charged with domestic violence in VA, the repercussions can be extreme with far-reaching consequences. According to Virginia law, a domestic assault conviction can have consequences that affect your personal and professional life, as well as your reputation.
With such potentially dire consequences, you should expeditiously contact a criminal lawyer if you find yourself the target of domestic assault accusations. They may mitigate the allegations and negotiate an outcome in the best interests of all involved rather than allowing the case to go to court. Contacting a criminal defense attorney with experience working on domestic violence cases could enable you to avoid a life-altering conviction.
Best Domestic Violence Lawyer in Virginia
The best domestic violence lawyer in Virginia has a complete understanding of the Code of Virginia § 18.2-57.2 and can explain how this law applies to your case. According to § 18.2-57.2, domestic assault occurs when a current or former spouse, family member, or household member touches someone to cause harm or to cause fear of harm.
This means that a person can be charged with domestic assault even if they don’t physically harm another. Contact a knowledgeable Virginia domestic violence attorney for more information.
Why You Should Look for Leading Virginia Criminal Defense Lawyers
A leading domestic violence lawyer in Virginia with a thorough understanding of the Code of Virginia § 16.1-228 will explain the finer details of domestic violence laws as they pertain to family abuse. In addition to immediate family and step-family members, the law defines a family and household member as including:
- Children
- Grandparents
- In-laws residing in the same household
- Individuals who share a child
- Parents
- Siblings
- Spouses and former spouses
Family or household members also include individuals and their children who have resided in the household in the previous 12 months. A Virginia domestic violence attorney can further advise you in a domestic violence case if a household member accuses you of wrongdoing.
How to Get the Best Lawyer for Domestic Violence in Virginia
If you have been accused of a criminal offense, you may be wondering how to get the best lawyer for domestic violence in Virginia to handle your case. Without proper representation, you may receive up to one year in jail and a $2500 fine for a Class 1 misdemeanor of domestic assault. If you receive more than two convictions for any type of domestic violence within 20 years, you can be charged with a Class 6 felony, the penalties for which include a potential sentence of up to five years.
Additional consequences may include, but are not limited to, the following:
- Clinical assessment
- Firearm restrictions
- Probation domestic violence education course
- Restraining order prohibiting contact
Plus, it can make it difficult or even impossible to get specific jobs, and if you are in the process of immigrating to the U.S., it could endanger your status. Therefore, if charged, you should consider seeking help from skilled criminal defense attorneys.
Best Domestic Violence Law Firms in Virginia
You love your family, and whether a disagreement spun out of control, your significant other was being vindictive, or a nosy neighbor misconstrued a situation, you need one of the best domestic violence law firms in Virginia to navigate these storms.
In Virginia and nationwide, law enforcement authorities and legislators have worked to crack down on domestic and family violence. Therefore, even a seemingly innocent dispute can devolve into issuing an emergency protective order and criminal charges. An emergency protective order will most likely be requested by a law enforcement officer if they find that danger of further acts of abuse or violence is probable. A police officer has the responsibility to keep the public safe. If the responding officer feels that future domestic violence may occur, he or she is more likely to pursue the issue.
However, an emergency protective order can also be petitioned by the alleged victim of domestic abuse through their local office of the Juvenile and Domestic Relations District Court. This protective order lasts for 72 hours or until the next court session when a Preliminary protective order can be issued by the judge. It’s important to know that the petitioner doesn’t have to get an emergency protective order first in order to get Preliminary protective order, nor does the alleged abuser (respondent) have to be present at the hearing.
But, both the petitioner and the respondent have to be present at the final Protective Order hearing, where each of them can tell their side of the story.
Hiring the right defense attorneys may be the only way to avoid being convicted or mitigate the effects of the accuser filing a civil protection order.
Hiring a Virginia Domestic Violence Lawyer for Your Case
The last thing you want to do is attempt to navigate an accusation of malicious wounding or the violation of a civil protective order alone; hiring a domestic violence lawyer in Virginia can significantly improve your chances of reaching the best outcome.
An experienced criminal defense attorney with family law knowledge might successfully reduce a domestic battery charge or get it entirely withdrawn. This result might be likely if the act occurred while the accused attempted to defend a child, other victims, or him or herself.
As a defense attorney, Gretchen T. Pousson of Scrofano Law works to understand his client’s positions and view the situation from their perspectives. When you require the services of a Virginia criminal lawyer, realize that he will strive to reach the optimal outcome. Regardless of the circumstances and details surrounding your case, a professional Virginia domestic violence attorney will work to secure your rights and your future.
If you face domestic assault accusations in Northern Virginia, don’t hesitate to contact Gretchen T. Pousson of Scrofano Law for a free case consultation for your domestic violence case.
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