Dealing with domestic violence charges and protective orders

An extremely common type of assault charge is that of assault with bodily injury to a family member – more commonly known as domestic violence. A serious subject in the Texas legislature and legal system over the past few years, domestic violence has been the focus of a lot of media attention and as a consequence the laws related to this type of assault have been strengthened substantially. If you or a loved one is involved in a domestic violence case, the penalties you face if convicted can be extreme.

The types of defendants in domestic violence cases range widely. A good law firm specializing in these types of cases typically represents clients such as husbands, wives, roommates, boyfriends, girlfriends, and even same-sex partners. Charges in domestic violence cases in Texas range in their nature, from assault, interference with 911 calls, to protective order violations, which are commonly associated with these types of cases.

Protective orders in Texas are all individually unique and can last anywhere from 60 days up to two years, and aren’t always easy to interpret. Most people are under the assumption that Protective Orders restrict any and all contact with the protected party, but this isn’t always the case. That’s why it’s important to consult an experienced attorney with a history of work in the area of domestic violence cases to assure that you understand exactly what terms and limitations you may have imposed upon should you by served with a protective order.

Another aspect of being charged with domestic violence in the State of Texas is the “No Drop” policy. This policy states that once a complaint of domestic violence has been filed, the complaining party does not have the option of dropping the charges. The state will instead pick up the domestic violence case and you will be taken to court even if the complaining party changes their mind and no longer wishes to pursue criminal charges.

Despite the strict laws and legal procedures associated with domestic violence cases, there is a possibility of having charges reduced or dropped. The first step towards resolving a domestic violence case in Texas is to consult with an attorney experienced in the field of domestic violence and protective orders as soon as possible after a domestic violence charge is filed or a protective order is issued. Make sure to do thorough research when looking for a domestic violence attorney and ask plenty of questions to assure that you are procuring the services of someone who is well versed in these types of cases and personally dedicated to helping you through this type of delicate and difficult legal case.