Domestic violence is a serious allegation, whether or not you’re guilty of the crime. If found guilty, your future and reputation can be damaged. That’s why it can be so important to seek help from a domestic violence defense attorney. They can enlighten you about the seriousness of the charges while fighting for your right to a fair legal process. At the end of the legal process, you might receive any of the following criminal penalties:

All Charges Dropped

Being accused of domestic violence doesn’t always mean you’re guilty. By hiring a domestic violence defense lawyer, you might be able to prove you’re not. There are four common arguments in such cases you might be able to demonstrate:

  • Self-defense: Your actions were necessary to prevent harm caused by the other person
  • An alibi: You were elsewhere when the alleged act occurred
  • In defense of others: You were protecting someone else from a violent threat
  • Mutual combat: The confrontational is consensual in that you weren’t the primary aggressor

Prison Time

Prison time can be an expected outcome for many people found guilty of domestic violence. How long you must spend in prison can depend on the seriousness of the crime, your location, whether it’s a first-time offense, or if you have a history of domestic violence. If your lawyer believes prison time is possible, they’ll likely inform you of this as your case gets underway.

Probation

Most domestic violence defense lawyers work hard to stop prison time from being the outcome of domestic violence charges. Sometimes, you can receive probation instead. This means you can be released into the community instead of being sent to jail if you abide by specific conditions and restrictions.

Counseling is often one of the main conditions of probation. This can mean that you’re required to attend regular counseling sessions, especially if the facts of your case revolve around drugs or alcohol.

Firearm Rights Limitations

The United States Constitution’s Second Amendment guarantees the right to bear arms. However, your rights can be limited if you have been convicted on domestic violence charges. In many states, people with domestic violence convictions are no longer able to own guns. In fact, they must surrender their firearms and no longer own, possess, or use them.

However, you might not lose that right forever. If you’re a first-time offender, you may have your firearm rights limitations lifted after five years if you haven’t been convicted of another qualifying misdemeanor in that time.

Restraining Orders

Restraining orders, also known as no-contact orders, can mean you’re not allowed to have contact with or go near the person who accused you of domestic violence. Restraining orders are common after a domestic violence conviction.

These orders often relate to homes, workplaces, schools, and anywhere else an alleged victim is. The restraining order can also be made to include all contact methods, such as telephone, social media, text, mail, and delivery services.

Domestic violence charges are serious and often require the help of domestic violence defense attorneys. If you’ve been accused of domestic violence, talk to your lawyer about these possible outcomes above. The more you know, the more prepared you might be for what comes next.

NCS
Latest posts by NCS (see all)