What to Do if You're Accused of Domestic Violence: 4 Checkpoints
Being accused of domestic violence–falsely or not–can be a torpedo to your life. You know you’ll have to hire a domestic violence defense attorney but what will that involve? And what can you do in the meantime to give yourself the best chance in court?
Below, we’ll walk through a simplified primer on what to do when you’re accused of domestic violence. These 4 checkpoints aren’t the whole story but they’ll help get you into the hands of a good lawyer with some real advantages in your pocket.
1) Steer Clear of the Alleged Victim
Even if a no-contact order hasn’t been filed, it’s often still a good idea to avoid contact with the alleged victim if possible. This can prevent new disputes from starting which would complicate the case and can also prevent you from saying or doing anything further that could be held against you in court.
Of course, if a no-contact order has been filed, it’s critical that you follow it. Every violation of a no-contact order is treated as an additional crime.
2) Hire the Best Domestic Violence Attorney you Can
If possible, ask friends and family for referrals. If not, try searching something like “domestic violence lawyer” on Google. Make a list of candidates, then narrow it down. Eventually, you’ll want to have a free initial consultation with at least 2 lawyers. These consultations are your chance to hear different legal approaches to your case, as well as to evaluate how comfortable you feel with a lawyer before you decide whether to hire them. Clear, open communication between you and your attorney is paramount.
3) Document Everything
Gather and preserve any evidence that might support your defense. This may include text messages, emails, social media posts, surveillance footage, receipts, photographs, etc. If there were witnesses present during the alleged incident, ask them to provide written statements detailing what they saw. Secure and provide these things to your attorney as quickly as possible.
Assume your accuser is doing the same. This is one major reason to avoid contact with them for now (see #1 above).
4) Follow Legal Advice
Once you’ve chosen your domestic violence defense lawyer, they are your shepherd through the legal part of this experience until it’s over. They already understood domestic violence law; now they understand the nuances of your particular case. Don’t let your emotions make you stray from the path that your defense attorney lays out.
Verity Criminal Defense
The word verity means truth. At Verity Criminal Defense, we understand the importance of knowing and working with the truth. Follow this link to get a free case review with an experienced domestic violence defense attorney in the Seattle area, including Snohomish and Skagit Counties.