The Top Benefits of Hiring a Domestic Violence Attorney
Did you know that many states have mandatory arrest laws for domestic violence cases? This means that if the police are called to your home due to suspected domestic violence, either you, your partner, or both of you are getting arrested. If a concerned neighbor calls the police after overhearing you and your partner arguing, one or both of you could be criminally charged.
If you are facing domestic violence charges, you need a domestic violence attorney. Don’t try to navigate the legal process on your own. Read on to learn more about why you need to hire an attorney to handle your domestic violence case.
They Understand the Laws and the Legal Process
The criminal justice process can be lengthy and confusing. While you can choose to represent yourself, you are almost always better off hiring a criminal defense lawyer. A defense attorney who works in the criminal justice system day in and day out has much greater knowledge of the laws and how to successfully negotiate the legal process to get the best outcome for you.
They Can Minimize the Consequences
Many cases in the criminal justice system are plea-bargained. In fact, less than 10% of cases actually go to trial. Negotiating plea bargains to minimize the potential consequences of your domestic violence charges is one of the most important things your attorney will do for you.
In exchange for a guilty plea, they can negotiate a lesser sentence than you would get if you go to trial. Your case will wrap up much quicker with a plea bargain as well.
They Will Build Your Defense
In some situations, you may want to argue that your actions were justified. In the case of self-defense, for example, your attorney may argue that you were simply defending yourself against your partner and should not be facing these charges.
In order to build your defense, your attorney will ask the prosecutor for discovery. This is the evidence that they plan to use against you at a trial and includes things like police reports, statements from the victim and any witnesses, and medical records.
With tins information, your attorney will decide on the best case strategy to defend you from the charges. This information can also be used during the plea bargaining process. If a prosecutor has weak evidence against you, your defense attorney can capitalize on that to negotiate your punishment.
Find the Best Domestic Violence Attorney to Represent You
Domestic violence charges are serious and can have a significant negative impact on your life, your children’s life, and even your career. If you are facing these charges, you should hire an experienced domestic violence attorney to represent you. They can help minimize the legal consequences and move your case through the criminal justice system quickly.
If you found these tips helpful, be sure to check out some of our other legal articles before you go.
