If you have been arrested and charged with domestic assault, you should not hesitate to hire a criminal defense attorney. In fact, even if you have not been arrested but are being accused or threatened by a domestic partner, you should talk to a lawyer as soon as possible. We explain why this is a smart thing to do.
What Can Your Attorney Do for You?
Intimate relationships are complicated. If you are in a relationship—whether you are married or not—that involves frequent arguments, passionate fights, or a history of 
infidelity, it might only be a matter of time before you are accused of assault by a suspicious or unforgiving partner. Regardless of how confident you are in your innocence, it’s vital that you contact an attorney as soon as possible—but definitely if you are actually arrested and charged. It is not uncommon for domestic assault accusations to be exaggerated or even completely fabricated, and an attorney can help you prove it. Your defense attorney will also:
- Explain and help you obey protective orders. Domestic violence charges often come with an immediate protective order that forbids you from seeing or contacting your partner. Even if you are convinced of your innocence, it’s important that you obey the order.
- Find alternatives to a criminal sentence. Your attorney might advise you to proactively attend counseling or treatment to convince a judge that you are serious about improving the relationship. This could help you avoid a jail sentence.
- Argue to have the charges reduced. Domestic assault can involve any type of aggression against a domestic partner, from shouting to stabbing. It’s possible that you have been accused of causing a more serious injury than you actually did. Your lawyer will set the record straight.
- Make a case for self-defense. If your partner made the first move but was injured when you defended yourself, your attorney will fight to prove it in court.
Your attorney will get to work right away securing the best possible outcome for your case. The longer you delay in contacting a lawyer, the harder it will be to build a defense.
Serious Charges Always Need a Serious Defense
The bottom line is that domestic violence is a serious criminal charge involving consequences such as jail time, hefty fines, personal protective orders, losing custody of children, and even losing your professional license or job. There is no room for error when you are accused or arrested. In the Chesapeake area, contact James E. Short, PLC for help.
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