If you have been charged with domestic abuse—whether the charge(s) against you are classified as misdemeanor, felony, or a mix of both—it is vitally important that you treat your situation with the utmost seriousness. Whether the charges against you are wrongful or not, it is important to have an attorney by your side who will construct a strong defense on your behalf. Even if you are unable to achieve an acquittal (or have the charges against you dropped), consulting with a dedicated criminal defense attorney will help to ensure that any consequences you may face are as mitigated as possible.
Honoring the Terms of an Order of Protection
If you are named in an order of protection, you need to abide by every single restriction in that order. As an experienced domestic violence lawyer – including those who practice at The Law Office of Daniel J. Wright – can confirm, violating these terms (even indirectly) can land you in jail and/or damage your defense to the underlying charges against you. If you are having trouble honoring the terms of a protection order because you need to communicate with the protected party for some reason, don’t do anything to violate the order… not even by communicating with the protected party through anyone else who isn’t a lawyer. Instead, reach out to an experienced attorney, who will know how to convey what you need to communicate in ways that don’t violate the order of protection.
Cautious Communication – Be Proactive
Don’t post about your situation online and be very careful what you say in texts, emails, phone conversations, and even during face-to-face conversations with others until your case is fully resolved. All too often, even innocent alleged offenders compromise the strength of their defense by communicating with others in careless ways. What may feel like “venting” to you in the moment could be used by a prosecutor as evidence of your erratic temperament, etc. Don’t risk the strength of your defense for the temporary satisfaction of complaining about your situation.
Connecting with an Attorney
If you have not yet spoken with an experienced criminal defense attorney in your area, do so now. The more proactive you are about building a strong defense on your behalf, the better your chances of navigating this challenging situation successfully will be. Attorneys need time to build a defense—give them the time they need to help you.