Seattle Domestic Violence Defense Lawyer

Defending Those Wrongfully Accused of Domestic Violence and Spousal Abuse

Domestic Violence (DV) cases are a huge problem. It's shamefully easy to file a false domestic violence complaint and almost impossible to prevent a prosecution once a complaint has been made. All it takes is a 911 call.

In many cases, people who have made accusations of domestic violence in the past have learned how easy it is to file a domestic violence charge against their roommate or spouse — just pick up the phone and dial 911. I have seen them use this as a weapon to have innocent people arrested.

When police are called to respond to a domestic violence call, they are required to make an arrest. Armed with knowledge of this mandatory arrest provision, the false accuser is able to use a domestic violence accusation as a weapon against an innocent partner. I see this scenario frequently.

A conviction of domestic violence or spousal abuse can have a grave impact on your future. Do not hesitate to take action to protect your rights and freedom. Contact a Seattle domestic violence attorney at the Law Office of Robert Perez.

Your Accuser Cannot Choose to Drop the Charges Against You

Don't assume that because your partner has decided to change their testimony later that you can walk away from the case. Prosecutors are familiar with the "recanting spouse" syndrome and will often take their case to court even with a victim who changes his or her mind or claims it never happened. It's not up to the "victim"; only the prosecutor can decide whether or not to press charges. Domestic violence "victims" have no control over whether a case is charged or prosecuted. They’re just witnesses who can be hauled into court and have their testimony used against their will.

The United Supreme Court has recently ruled that the 911 calls made by the accuser can be introduced into evidence, even if the accuser doesn’t show up in court for trial. So don't assume that you're safe just because your partner is out of the jurisdiction. Statements made at the scene by defendants can also be used to obtain a conviction. The prosecutor may be able to proceed against you even without a witness.

Additional Crimes That May Be Charged as Crimes of Domestic Violence

In addition to the usual assault charges, other crimes, such as malicious mischief, can also be charged as crimes of domestic violence. The domestic violence designation adds a serious set of penalties and consequences to any crime charged.

Domestic Violence Charges Should Not Be Taken Lightly

Don't take a DV case lightly. It can result in consequences far beyond what you might think possible. It's typical in domestic violence cases that a "no contact order" (NCO) will also be issued by the court. Don't ignore this order. A violation of a no contact order (VNCO) can be even more serious than the underlying domestic violence charge and often results in more jail time than the defendant would have received for the underlying DV crime.

I probably get more DV cases than anything else, they are so common in the current climate. I've had great success getting them dropped or dismissed based on effective use of technologies such as cellular phone tower records (proving location at the time of the offense) and other creative applications of technology to the law.

Violent crimes are serious. Take them seriously by hiring a Seattle criminal defense lawyer with the experience and knowledge necessary to fight these cases. Contact the Law Office of Robert Perez for your free initial consultation.