Getting arrested is overwhelming and emotionally exhausting - when a close family member accuses you, it can feel like an extra weight. 

About 1 in 3 women and 1 in 4 men experience some form of domestic abuse in their life. Some men are afraid to report out of fear they will be arrested - some women are afraid to report out of fear of retaliation. Everyone involved has legitimate concerns about how to best protect themselves and handle their safety. 

When you call 9-1-1 the police determine, in the moment, who gets arrested. Doing their best, police do not always arrest the right person. Sometimes the person who calls the police can be the person who gets arrested. It happens. 

When you have minor children, the police may refer the case and involve Child Protective Services (“CPS)/Child Welfare Services (“CWS”). CPS/CWS investigations run separate and apart from the criminal case and/or family law matters. CPS/CWS has the authority to remove your child from your home. A lawyer can help guide and advise you through this process - do not hesitate to contact an attorney. 

In criminal court, the consequences for a person charged with Domestic Violence (“DV”) range from diversion* (*eventual dismissal of the case after certain terms and conditions have been met, and a certain period of time has passed without a new incident) to prison. If you plead or are found guilty of a DV charge, your sentence will include a 26 or 52 week Domestic Violence Recovery Program (“DVRP”) - a class that must be completed. Importantly, a misdemeanor conviction for domestic violence will lead to a loss of gun rights.

Hiring an attorney can help you get ahead of your case. The District Attorney or City Attorney determines whether or not you are charged with a crime after your arrest. Hiring an attorney cannot undo the fact that you were arrested - no attorney can go back in time - hiring an attorney can help you navigate the myriad of issues involved in DV cases, help you achieve the best possible outcome, and get back to your life.