Why You Should Not Lose Hope After Being Accused of Domestic Violence

Posted on: August 21st, 2024 by Dod Law

Accusations of domestic violence require serious consideration. However, not every domestic violence case is cut and dry, and you deserve the opportunity to defend yourself from domestic violence accusations. Fortunately, today’s criminal defense attorneys can help you not lose hope in the face of possible criminal charges.

Attorney Dod knows that many people can use false domestic violence accusations to impact your right to custody, to take possession of shared property, and to streamline the divorce process. You can work with a criminal defense attorney to challenge these accusations, maintain control of your belongings, and protect your future.

California’s Consequences for Domestic Violence

Domestic violence in California covers a wide range of alleged behaviors, from domestic battery to neglect. The consequences you face for unchallenged accusations of domestic violence are subsequently varied, with many involving extensive jail time, fines, and the risk of a restraining order.

There are also social consequences that come with domestic violence charges. If you do not fight back, you put your job and future opportunities for employment at risk. You may also lose custody of your children.

How to Challenge Accusations of Domestic Violence

You have the right to fight back if a spouse or ex-partner accuses you of domestic violence. There are several defenses that can help you protect your future. Your criminal defense attorney can determine what defense to use on your behalf after assessing the specific nature of the domestic violence charges brought against you. 

Some of the best defenses to use include the following:

Spiteful Accusations

People can lash out against one another for several reasons. Anything from a perceived slight at work to the breakdown of a romantic relationship may drive someone to accuse you of domestic violence. Even if you know the accusations are baseless, rumors can fly until your career and personal prospects are irrevocably changed.

If you want to argue that someone has accused you of domestic violence out of spite, we encourage you to collect evidence of that person’s erratic behavior. Recordings of outbursts and character witnesses can all help you make your case.

Streamlined Divorce Proceedings

Partners who want to speed up your divorce proceedings may accuse you of domestic violence. These accusations can simultaneously make the court sympathetic to an accuser and make it harder for you to argue for your right to property. You may also find it harder to argue for your right to child custody, fair alimony payments, or reasonable child support fees.

Reach Out for Criminal Defense Representation

It is not in your best interest to try to challenge accusations of domestic violence on your own. Fortunately, there’s hope. You can work with a criminal defense attorney to fight back in the face of wrongful domestic violence accusations. An experienced attorney can support you by:

• Gathering evidence to question an accuser’s motives
• Directly countering an accuser’s accusations of abuse
• Providing a court with character witnesses discrediting an accuser’s attempts to smear your name
• Elaborating on the motives an accuser may have for accusing you of a crime

However, if an accuser issues a restraining order against you, do not violate the order. You can instead work with professionals to retake control of your property without putting yourself at risk for additional criminal accusations.

Likewise, do not meet with your accuser privately. It’s always in your best interest to have an attorney on call if your accuser tries to meet. Dod Law can make sure any conversations you have with your accuser get placed in writing or recorded.

Don’t Lose Hope in the Face of Domestic Violence Accusations

Dod Law can support you as you gather evidence of an accuser’s wrongdoings and challenge the accusations brought against you.

If you want to learn more about the steps Dod Law takes to help people like you challenge wrongful accusations of domestic violence, schedule a private case evaluation today. Call us at our San Diego office (619) 814-5110 | Vista office (760) 814-6025 or schedule an appointment by filling out our online contact form to discuss the best way forward.