If you have been arrested for domestic violence, know that you are far from alone. Many people are arrested for this crime because law enforcement is required to make an arrest if there is a suspicion that a domestic violence issue has occurred. What you do now, after the arrest, will have a big impact on how your case ends. Read on and follow tips that will get you through this experience in the best way possible.
Your Arraignment
In most states, the arraignment follows an arrest. This is an initial meeting in front of a judge who informs you of your charges and the right to legal representation. They also ask you to enter a plea and tell you about bail. In many cases, those arrested on domestic violence charges may find the issue of a restraining order will arise. Though it's short notice, it's advisable to have a criminal defense attorney with you at the arrangement. If you live with the alleged victim, you might have to move out of the house if a restraining order is issued.
Take the Orders Seriously
Staying away from the alleged victim in the case is extremely important. Even if they initiate contact with you, you must follow the order and stay away. If the alleged victim decides to suspend the restraining order, ask them to contact you through your attorney only so the order's validity can be verified.
Bail is also another consideration for those arrested for domestic violence. Even if no restraining order has been issued, bail conditions for this type of arrest often contain a provision addressing contact with the alleged victim. If you violate the bail conditions, you can have your bail revoked and you can be arrested again. It's highly advisable that you read and understand the terms of any order or bail conditions by speaking with your lawyer about it.
Take Preemptive Actions
Many lawyers recommend that their clients enroll in anger management classes. That serves several purposes:
- It shows you are taking the charges seriously.
- It means you are aware of issues between you and the alleged victim and want to do better in the future.
- Even if you are innocent of the charges, taking the class won't harm your case because almost everyone gets angry from time to time.
- Taking this class also might lessen the chances of you reoffending in the future. Judges are very concerned with those who repeatedly appear for the same thing.
To learn more about things you can do to lessen the impact of a domestic violence charge, speak to a criminal defense attorney or local law firm, like Smart Criminal Lawyer.
How safe is your business? While many company owners focus on things like bolstering doorways and protecting their products, it is easy to overlook the legal liabilities many places face. I started thinking more seriously a few years ago about making some changes, and a friend of mine mentioned how important it was to hire a legal team. I worked with the legal team to take care of everything from getting our signage figured out to identifying different places that we could cut back on, and it was really fascinating to see the powerful difference it made. This website is all about avoiding legal drama.