Steps to Take if You Are Accused of Domestic Violence

If you are charged with, accused of, or arrested for domestic violence, it is crucial that you hire an experienced criminal lawyer near Annapolis . Your criminal defense attorney can protect your rights, and do everything that he can to prove your innocence of the charges. Here are the first steps that you should take if you are accused of domestic violence.

Cooperate Fully with the Police

If the police are called to respond to a domestic dispute or allegation of domestic violence, they may arrest you, your partner, or both of you; file a police report without an arrest; or leave without filing a report. It is in your best interests to cooperate fully with the police to reduce your risk of arrest or further charges. If you already have a criminal lawyer, you should call him immediately before answering any questions. If you do not have a criminal defense attorney, do not answer any questions beyond stating your name, address, and relationship to the alleged victim.

Hire a Criminal Lawyer

Whether you are arrested and charged, or issued a summons to appear in court on domestic violence charges, you will need to hire a criminal lawyer. An experienced criminal attorney can act as your advocate when speaking with the prosecutor and police, and may be able to get the conditions of your release modified to your advantage or the charges against you dropped completely. He can also secure witnesses to testify on your behalf should the case proceed to trial.

Adhere to All Requirements of Your Release

When you are released, the court will require you to adhere to certain conditions. This may include refraining from contacting the victim, attending anger management classes, attending drug or alcohol counseling, and attending therapy. You must adhere to all of the conditions of your release in order to prevent the prosecution from filing additional charges.

Disclaimer: This article provides general information about the topics discussed and does not qualify as legal advice. Every case is different and the laws applicable to each case may differ. If you have a legal matter, you should speak to an attorney to get advice on your particular situation.