What should you do if you’re accused of assaulting someone? Read on to find out.
Whether you’re in the wrong place at the wrong time, you said the wrong thing and someone misunderstood what you meant, or you actually committed the crime you’re being accused of, facing a domestic assault charge isn’t something you should have to do alone. When you’re dealing with domestic abuse, violence, or assault, the right criminal defense attorney can make an incredible difference in how your case plays out. While you can’t control the charges you’re facing, you can control how you move forward. The right attorney understands that you’re dealing with a complicated situation, and your lawyer will work with you to help you move forward. Here’s what you need to know when you’re facing domestic assault charges.
1. The charges can’t always be dropped.
When you’re facing a domestic abuse or violence charge, it’s not always possible to have the charges dropped even if the other person changes their story. For example, if your ex-partner tells the police that you hit her, but later changes her story to say that you didn’t hit her, the police may not drop the charges. There may still be a formal investigation and you may still need to testify about what happened. In the United States, the court system takes domestic abuse charges very seriously. Because of this, it can be very tricky and difficult to deal with domestic violence charges even when you’re innocent.
2. You may deal with a restraining order.
Let’s say you and your partner get in a fight. You argue, you say things you don’t mean, and you escalate the dispute. If the police become involved and arrest you, they may put a restraining order in place to keep you and your partner apart for a period of time. In Colorado, this is often considered an important cooling off period by the police; however, it can be difficult to deal with since it requires that you and your partner stay in separate places. If you have children or you share a vehicle, this can further complicate the situation, and you will need to make arrangements when it comes to staying with a friend or getting a ride to work.
3. It may be a long journey.
Understand that even if you are innocent, it may be a long journey. Your first step should be to meet with your lawyer and give an honest assessment of what occurred. Do not lie to your attorney. Your lawyer doesn’t want to judge you or laugh at you. Your lawyer won’t be mad or angry that you made a mistake. They just need to know what happened in order to best help you. If you lie to your attorney or you withhold important information about the charges in question, your lawyer is going to have a harder time fighting for you, so make things as easy as possible by being honest and up front.
Don’t deal with domestic assault or violence charges on your own. Instead, reach out to a criminal defense attorney who can help you. Your lawyer will listen to your side of the story, review the charges against you, and help you come up with a plan for moving forward.