What to do if you are accused of domestic violence?

What to do if you are accused of domestic violence?

No one wants to be accused of domestic violence, but what to do if it happens? Here are some tips on how to deal with an accusation of domestic violence. Stay calm and don't panic: you must remain in control of the situation. Do not lash out at the accuser: this will only make things worse. Seek legal help immediately: you need someone on your side who understands the law and can protect your rights. And finally, remember that there is always the possibility that the accusation is false, so don't give up until you have had a chance to thoroughly investigate the allegation.

   

All domestic violence charges are taken VERY seriously under Virginia law. Because of this, serious thought should be given before filing charges of this type. It is pervasive that at some point in the process when there is a reconciliation between the parties involved, the accuser will want to drop the charges. However, this is no longer possible. 

 

Once a domestic violence charge is filed, the state takes over, which means that those involved no longer have any power over the decisions. Many times people think that these types of charges can be made just to give someone a wake-up call, without knowing of the very serious implications.

   

You should know that when there is a case of domestic violence, police officers usually issue a restraining order against the defendant. This is a temporary order that takes effect until the judge determines whether it will be permanent or not. It is important to mention that such an order can result in the defendant going to jail if he/she decides to violate the restraining order.

  You should also understand what is considered a violation of a restraining order:

• Calling
• Sending a text
• Writing an email 
• Or answering calls from a person with a restraining order against you is considered enough of an act to get you sent to jail.

 

It is advisable to avoid all contact until you have the advice of a criminal defense attorney. There are a large number of accusations of domestic violence that end up being false, however, if you do not have the proper advice, you may face various penalties such as fines or even jail time.

   

If you are accused of domestic violence, it is important to remember that you have rights. You should never try to handle this situation on your own, contact an experienced domestic violence attorney today. Right Path Law Group has criminal defense attorneys with more than 15 years of experience defending dozens of people in Virginia. We can help you protect your rights and fight the charges against you. Don't wait! Call us now at 703-637-9999 or visit our website for a free consultation.