It is extremely important to hire a lawyer immediately after being charged with a domestic violence charge, primarily for several reasons: those cases are typically very emotional and in some instances a violent spouse frequently makes the situation even worse by simply going back to a residence after being served with a divorce order. The immediate need to find a competent and experienced Seattle Domestic Violence Attorney is essential when facing such a felony charge. Your first step should be to contact a Seattle criminal defense attorney who has had experience with similar cases and will work diligently to protect your rights. A Seattle DV Attorney will assess the entire case, listen to your story and provide you with the best legal defense. If you feel that your rights have been violated, he will make sure you receive all of the assistance you need.

Once you have hired a domestic violence attorney, you will meet with your alleged perpetrator and present your case. He/she will then be questioned by the prosecuting attorney and ultimately be prosecuted if found guilty. You have to be prepared to tell your story and remain calm while the prosecutor examines your case. Remember, nothing about this experience will make you feel “more relaxed” about your situation, but it can help you avoid a costly trial that may result in long-term negative consequences.

Once your case is decided, your Seattle DV lawyer will have to decide whether or not to represent you pro hac vice law or represent yourself. There are benefits to either option, depending upon the circumstances. Your choice as a defendant will be influenced by the facts of your specific domestic violence case and the relationship between you and the alleged abuser, as well as any witnesses to your alleged crime.

In the event that you are found guilty of the charges against you, your Seattle DV lawyer will be able to fight for the charges against you to be reduced or dismissed, based on the extent of damage done to you and the impact on the alleged victim’s life. In some cases, the charges may even be reduced substantially. Many people who have been accused of domestic violence in Washington state are found not guilty after their attorney petitions the court to lower the charges. The court will usually listen to arguments presented by both sides of the case and make a determination based on what it sees as the best outcome for everyone involved.

If you are concerned that the charges you face are too excessive for your own or your children’s safety, you may wish to consult with your DV lawyer before you speak to the police. Even if the alleged abuser has been arrested and charged, your lawyer can still make an argument to reduce the charges to something you or your children can easily pay. In some cases, if the victim is pregnant, your lawyer can petition to have the charges against you reduced so that the pregnancy isn’t a factor in determining your sentence. Your DV lawyer can also fight to have your charges dismissed if you are in the military or in the case of a first offense, if you have previously served your jail time and completed your community service.

The charges of abuse against you are serious. If you are faced with such accusations, you need to be sure that you hire a Seattle domestic violence attorney to represent you. Your legal rights are not unlimited. If someone is accusing you of hurting your children or of abusing them physically, you have the right to speak out. Make sure that you contact an experienced lawyer to discuss your options, no matter what your circumstances.