Responding Quickly to Family Assault Charges
If you've been accused of assaulting or battering a family member, you could be charged with domestic violence and be forced to stay away from your own home indefinitely. This is a very serious charge that requires the immediate attention of an experienced defense lawyer.
I'm attorney Lance D. Gardner. Based in Fairfax, I defend clients throughout Northern Virginia against domestic violence and other criminal charges. If you've been accused of domestic violence, don't hesitate to contact me to schedule a free consultation.
Understanding the Protective Order Process
Virginia takes a very aggressive approach to domestic violence allegations. When the police receive a domestic violence call, they will most likely make an arrest, even if they cannot determine who was the original aggressor or if there was any domestic abuse at all.
If you've been arrested for domestic violence, you will be barred from your home by a 48-hour emergency protective order that can be extended by the judge handling your case.
If you are convicted, this protective order could be extended for several years. Any time a domestic violence protective order is in force against you, it is also illegal for you to possess a firearm. This could become permanent if you are convicted of a crime.
Avoiding or Reducing Harsh Consequences
A domestic violence charge is obviously a very serious matter. If you have two or more previous domestic abuse convictions on your criminal record, a new charge could even be considered a felony, regardless of the degree of assault that you are accused of.
In some cases, people charged with domestic assault can get their charges dismissed after successfully completing anger management or domestic violence programs. To discuss this and other alternatives to conviction, contact my office today to set up a consultation.
