Cumming Domestic Violence Defense Lawyer Offering Clients Legal Help with Serious Criminal Charges
If a partner or family member has accused you of domestic violence, you’re facing serious charges and owe it to yourself to hire a criminal defense attorney in Cummings, GA. After all, this type of charge can damage your reputation and result in years in prison if you’re found guilty. Hiring a domestic violence defense lawyer in Cumming will ensure you have the legal support you need to get through your criminal case.
When you come to Carl Chapman P.C. for assistance, you will get the answers you need from a caring lawyer who has spent years defending clients from life-changing legal charges. At our Cumming law firm, we understand just how important it is to clear your name, so you can rely on us to make your case our priority. Call our law offices to begin your case.
What Is Domestic Violence According to Georgia Criminal Law?
In this state, domestic violence occurs when someone commits abusive acts against their spouse, significant other, child, or anyone else who lives in the same house. More specifically, a victim of domestic violence could include your:
- Current spouse
- Ex-spouse
- Child
- Parent
- Mother or father of your child
- Stepchild
- Stepparent
- Foster parent
- Foster child
- Anyone who currently lives in your household
- Anyone who used to live in your household
So, if someone you know very well has accused you of causing them physical harm via slapping, choking, pushing, hitting, or other forms of violence, you could be facing charges. Even if you didn’t harm the accuser but threatened to do so, this is still classified as domestic abuse.
Considering that this charge can land you in jail, it’s important to fight it with the help of a domestic violence defense lawyer in Cumming. At our law firm, we have defended numerous clients from this charge, so you can depend on us to treat your case with the urgency and attention it needs.
What Are the Penalties for Domestic Violence?
If you’re thinking about pleading guilty to the charges rather than hiring a lawyer to fight them, you should first consider the penalties you’re facing. It’s important to understand how the charges can change your life if they lead to a conviction.
In Georgia, the penalties for domestic violence depend on the specific charges, but they nearly always include jail time and fines. These are some of the most common criminal charges that can result from this accusation:
- Assault
- Battery
- Stalking
- Marital rape
- Criminal trespass
- Criminal damage to property
- Child abuse
- Unlawful restraint
- Violation of a protective order
The penalties you face will vary depending on your charge and whether it’s your first offense. But as an example, assault or battery can lead to one year in jail and a fine of up to $5,000, while false imprisonment can result in ten years in jail.
In addition, if you’re accused of violating a protective order, you could be penalized by up to one year in jail and a $1,000 fine. This is because an emergency protective order is in place to keep the accused away from the alleged victim, so they feel safe. Even if you’re facing false allegations and did not commit domestic violence assault, you should obey protective orders to avoid getting a misdemeanor charge that can result in jail time.
How Do Domestic Violence Charges Affect Child Custody?
If you have children, you might worry about how a domestic violence charge will affect your custody arrangement. You’re right to be concerned because the judge will consider any court proceedings when deciding which parent the kids should spend time with. This is why it’s so important to fight these charges to have a chance to get the case dismissed or show that you’re innocent.
Whether your charges are pending or you’re found guilty, you can expect a judge to consider the child’s best interests when deciding on custody issues. If the judge believes you have harmed your child or are likely to do so, they might order you to have supervised visitations or no contact with the child at all. It depends on the details of your case, including the verdict, so come to Carl Chapman P.C. for an opportunity to fight the charges.
How Can a Cumming Domestic Violence Defense Lawyer Help You?
If the police arrested you after a former or current spouse, boyfriend, girlfriend, or other household member accused you of domestic assault, you need legal help. It may be hard to see how anyone can help you avoid penalties for such serious charges, but legal representation from the right lawyer can make a big difference.
After all, your Cumming domestic violence defense lawyer can argue that the charges are false, you were acting in self-defense, or you were defending a child or other family member from the accuser. These are just some possible defense angles to this charge. When we take on your domestic violence case, our legal team will look at the details to determine the right approach. Call our law offices at 470-206-2169 to learn more.