Domestic Violence Lawyer Arlington VA

If you are facing domestic violence charges, it is important you consult with a domestic violence lawyer in Arlington, VA as soon as possible. By doing so you may be able to have your case dismissed, or your charges reduced to those that are less serious. As a leading law firm, we at May Law, LLP, understand the rules and legalities associated with domestic violence cases. Our many years of experience has allowed us to see that a great deal of these laws are one-sided, and against the accused. For example, a police officer can arrest someone for domestic violence even if there is no incriminating evidence. 

It is certainly possible for law enforcement to have arrested you based upon statements made by an alleged victim or witness, but without any physical evidence. Although police may be doing what they think is right at the time, to prevent the possibility of future violence, you still may be innocent. You deserve your side of the story to be heard. As a domestic violence lawyer in Arlington, VA, we will listen to what you have to say and take the necessary steps to protect your rights and freedom. For a consultation with an Arlington domestic violence lawyer, call May Law, LLP.

What May Qualify as Domestic Violence

Domestic violence, or domestic battery, can occur in a broad number of ways. These terms generally refer to threatened or actual harm that has been intentionally inflicted by someone in the household against another family member. Threats of violence, physical violence, or abuse can all be considered domestic violence. As a domestic violence lawyer Arlington, VA residents can trust, we have handled cases involving:

• Hitting
• Slapping
• Pushing
• Choking
• Beating
• Punching
• Biting
• Hair pulling
• Dragging
• Threatening
• Stalking
• Intimidating
• Forced sexual activity
• In general, domestic violence cases are treated in a unique way in that they are often aggressively prosecuted by special law enforcement units. 

Penalties for a Domestic Violence Charge

These incidences are handled on a case-by-case basis. Depending on the circumstances, they can be charged as a felony or misdemeanor. A prosecutor may determine the severity of the charge by reviewing:

• The facts of the case
• The evidence
• The victim’s statement
• Witness statements
• Medical records

Severe injuries are usually charged as a felony while threats or intimidation are charged as a misdemeanor. If there are prior acts of domestic violence, or a criminal history, the charges could be harsher. Penalties for domestic violence may include:

• Mandatory anger management program
• Jail time
• Probation
• Community service
• A permanent criminal record
• Restraining order
• Fines 
• + More

If you have been charged with domestic violence, you will likely need a good domestic violence lawyer in Arlington, VA. Virginia courts take domestic violence charges very seriously, and you need to make sure you are represented by a competent domestic violence lawyer Arlington, VA residents recommend to ensure your rights are protected.

Assault and Battery in Virginia

One of the most common charges of violence in Virginia is assault and battery.  An experienced Arlington, VA domestic violence lawyer knows that the Virginia Code has a special section dealing with allegations of assault on a spouse or family member.  While an alleged assault and battery on a stranger will end up in the General District Court, an allegation of assault and battery on a spouse or family member will go to the Juvenile and Domestic Relations Court.  

Although the prosecutor’s burden is similar in either case, a good Virginia domestic violence lawyer understands that there are some tools in the Virginia Code with respect to alleged family violence that could be beneficial to your defense.  So, if you are charged with domestic violence, be sure to speak to a domestic violence lawyer Arlington, VA clients recommend as soon as possible.

In Virginia, if you are convicted of domestic violence against a family member, you could spend as much as a year in jail and pay up to a $2,500 fine depending on the facts and circumstances.  The stakes are incredibly high, and an Arlington, VA domestic violence lawyer is essential to protecting your interests. For example, maybe you have been wrongfully accused. Maybe you were defending yourself from attack and still got charged.  Or, maybe you made a mistake and need someone to help you navigate an extremely stressful situation. In any of these situations, a domestic violence lawyer in Arlington, VA is essential.

In addition to criminal charges, alleged domestic violence can also lead to the court’s issuance of a civil protective order.  An experienced Arlington, VA domestic violence lawyer has handled protective order cases frequently. This is different than the criminal process because there is no possible jail time involved.  However, the stakes are still incredibly high because a civil protective order might keep you from having any contact with your spouse or family members for up to two years. It can also impact future custody, your work situation, security clearance, and other areas outside the courtroom.

So, even if you are not charged with a crime and you are only involved in protective order proceedings, it is still advisable to be represented by a good domestic violence lawyer in Arlington, VA.  Moreover, if you are the victim of domestic violence and want the court to issue a protective order against the person who attacked you, it is similarly advisable to have a good domestic violence lawyer in Arlington, VA.  A prosecutor will assist the alleged victim in a criminal case, but both the alleged victim and the alleged attacker need their own attorneys for a civil protective order case as the court will not provide them.

If you have been involved in any issue involving domestic violence, please contact May Law, LLP today to speak to a domestic violence lawyer Arlington, VA residents trust.

Responding to Charges of Cyberstalking

The area of law that governs Internet-related crime continues to evolve as the Internet itself evolves. As a result, it can be difficult to initially understand just how seriously certain Internet-related criminal charges are currently treated. If you have been charged with an Internet-related crime, like cyberstalking, please do not make assumptions about how serious or seemingly benign the charges against you may be. Instead, please consider contacting an experienced domestic violence lawyer in Arlington VA immediately. Making uninformed assumptions now can hurt your ability to sustain a strong criminal defense strategy down the road. If you have been charged with an Internet-related crime, please consider connecting with our firm as soon as you possibly can. Once we learn the details of your situation, we will be able to advise you of your legal options and help you build a strong defensive strategy.

Responding to Cyberstalking Charges

One of the reasons why it is so important to consult an Arlington VA domestic violence lawyer as soon as you have been accused of criminal wrongdoing is that virtually anything you do or say from now on could be held against you in court. Communicating with your attorney is almost always a confidential process. When you speak with a domestic violence lawyer about your situation, you can receive experienced guidance about what to do and what not to do moving forward in order to give you the best possible chance at a successful defense.

For example, an Arlington VA domestic violence lawyer will likely inform you that deleting files on your computer right now could be considered an act of guilt. Even if the files you are deleting are innocuous, you could be viewed as tampering with evidence. When responding to cyberstalking and/or other Internet-related criminal charges, ask your attorney questions before you speak or act in any way that could compromise the integrity of your defense.

Legal Support Is Available

Partially because any criminal charges should be treated with great care and partially because the area of law that governs Internet-related crime continues to evolve at a rapid pace, it is important to speak with a domestic violence lawyer in Arlington VAas soon as possible after you have been charged with criminal wrongdoing. No matter how seemingly straightforward or “minor” the charges against you may seem, it is important to start building a strong defense immediately.

After we learn about the details surrounding the charges against you, our firm will work hard to ensure that your defense strategy is as strong as it can possibly be under the circumstances you are currently facing. Please do not wait to contact us, as your legal options may become increasingly limited as time passes.

In addition, you should strongly consider staying offline, staying away from any devices and refraining from answering legal questions until you have spoken with a domestic violence lawyer Arlington, VA clients recommend. Anything you say and do at this point could impact the outcome of your case. Once we answer your questions and advise you in regards to how to keep your strong defense strategy intact, you will be able to speak and act with greater confidence until your legal case is resolved.

Have You Been Charged with Domestic Violence? Call May Law, LLP

If you are facing domestic violence charges, you should understand that the outcome of your case could have a significant impact on your life. You may lose the right to live and work at certain places, you may lose the right to live with your children, and you could be treated like a criminal. If you would like to avoid these outcomes, or to the best of your ability, please call a domestic violence lawyer in Arlington, VA now.