If You Are Arrested for Domestic Violence
Being arrested for domestic violence is a frightening experience, and you likely have no idea about what comes next or about how best to protect your rights and defend yourself. While every domestic violence charge is unique to the circumstances involved, there are some basics that can help you get through this trying time with your rights and a solid defense strategy in tow.
Hire an Experienced Criminal Lawyer
If you have been arrested for domestic violence, the very first thing you should do is hire a criminal lawyer with vast experience successfully defending domestic violence cases. This step is one that you do not want to put off or ponder. Once the charge of domestic violence is levied against you, you need a dedicated criminal lawyer in your corner.
Help Your Criminal Lawyer Help You
While your case will not be exactly like anyone else’s, there are some basic steps you should take – which apply to every domestic violence case – to help your criminal lawyer help you, including:
Meet with your lawyer and tell him or her all the facts relevant to your case. These facts can include information about the person who brought the charge against you and your relationship with him or her. It is also essential to let your lawyer know if your accuser has ever brought charges against you in the past (or threatened to). In order to construct your most robust defense, your lawyer needs the facts, and this is no time for surprises.
Provide your lawyer with every detail about the pertinent incident that you can remember.
If you have any texts, emails, social media posts, photos, video or audio recordings, written notes, or anything else that might be relevant to your case, share them with your lawyer.
What Not to Do
If you have been charged with domestic violence, there is very likely a protective order in place for your accuser, which means that you should not have any contact with him or her. Commit to staying away for the duration. Not to do so can land you back in jail, could lead to additional charges, and will make it more difficult to avoid a conviction.
Be Patient
The best strategy you can adopt is to be patient with the process, which is likely to be protracted; follow your criminal lawyer’s advice to the letter, and allow him or her the leeway to defend your rights and forge your best defense. Doing this will allow you the best chance of achieving a favorable case resolution, such as a charge dismissal, a reduced charge, or a verdict of not guilty.
Consult with an Experienced Killeen Criminal Lawyer Today
If you have been charged with domestic violence, Brett Pritchard at The Law Office of Brett H. Pritchard in Killeen, Texas, is a criminal lawyer who takes great pride in successfully defending the rights of clients like you. To learn more about how we can help, please do not hesitate to contact us online or call us at 254-501-4040 for more information today.