What should you do or not do when charged with domestic violence?

According to Edition.cnn.com, there has been a great increase in domestic violence cases in recent times with more people forced to stay at home due to the pandemic. A domestic violence charge should be viewed as extremely serious. In addition to stiff fines, you could spend time in jail. Apart from the steps the state can take against you, a domestic violence conviction is likely to ruin your reputation, make it difficult to find a job, and affect your relationships. Steps you can take when charged with domestic violence:

Engage a Competent Attorney Specializing in Domestic Violence

The very first thing you should do is to hire an experienced defence attorney and tell him the truth. Since this information is privileged, it is confidential and cannot be used by anyone else, including the prosecution. Your attorney will examine the facts of the case and advise you on the best course to follow. Usually, a protective order will follow, and if you were subject to a charge of violating it, protective order lawyers can help defend you. Do not discuss the matter with anyone else, including family and friends, as the information is not privileged and can be used against you.

Do Not Talk to the Police

You must refuse to talk to the police without having your attorney present while you are being questioned. It is best to keep silent and let your lawyer deal with the situation. Visit https://burnhamlaw.com/help-center-articles/denver-domestic-violence-lawyer/ to learn more about how to deal with the police.

Preserve All Evidence

If you think you have any evidence in the form of photos, credit card statements, cell phone messages social media posts, etc., you must preserve them in such a way that they cannot be lost if destroyed by someone else. If you suspect that you are being made a scapegoat and the accuser may well be the abuser, you should gather evidence that supports his deception or abusive behaviour. Evidence of this kind can help disprove the charges and prove your innocence.

Do Not Engage Any Communication with Your Accuser

When you are accused of domestic violence, you mustn’t engage with your accuser in any manner. Not only can you get into needless arguments, accusations, and counter-accusations but also create a situation where anything you say can be used against you by the accuser. Even an apology will be construed as an admission of guilt. You must abide by a no-contact order issued by the judge and also desist from engaging with the accuser even if he tries to contact you.

Construct an Event Timeline

Instead of depending on your memory when defending yourself in court, it is far better to create a timeline of events while everything is fresh in your mind. Make it a point to note down all the details, including dates and times of the events that may have led to the charge of domestic violence. This timeline, along with the evidence preserved by you, will play an important role in your defence.

Conclusion

If you are facing a charge of domestic violence, the most important thing is to engage an experienced attorney and follow his advice. Keep a low profile and stay away from needless controversy while taking steps to prepare well for your defence.