Seeking a Domestic Violence Attorney in Herndon, Virginia?

If you are seeking a domestic violence attorney in Herndon, Virginia, you are likely facing serious charges of domestic violence in the Commonwealth.

Domestic violence has terrible consequences for its victims and society as a whole.

In valid cases of domestic violence, you will need an experienced and professional domestic violence attorney to defend you, as you are guaranteed under the US Constitution. Your domestic violence attorney will also mitigate any penalties that might follow a conviction.

In reality, though, many domestic violence cases are over-litigated or manipulated for other reasons. In this case, a domestic violence attorney is vital to protect you from unscrupulous litigation.

No matter the situation, it is vital to have a competent domestic violence attorney representing you if you are accused of committing domestic violence in Herndon, Virginia.

Remember, the information contained in this article is not intended to be legal advice. 

Circumstances for Seeking a Domestic Violence Attorney in Herndon, VA

Here are some more specific circumstances for why you may need to seek a domestic violence attorney:

• You face Virginia criminal charges against a member of your family.
• You have been accused of spousal abuse or violence against a family member.
• You find you have an arrest warrant out against you. 

Being charged with domestic violence is nothing to joke about. In Virginia, this could result in:

• Serving jail time. A first-offense Class 1 misdemeanor for domestic assault can carry a one-year jail sentence. 
• Paying fines. That same Class 1 misdemeanor carries up to a $2500 fine. 
• Restraining orders. A judge may also issue one of several protective orders against you, preventing you from coming near members of your own family.

These are some other consequences of being convicted of domestic violence:

• Not being able to see your children.
• Being kept from returning to your home.
• Firearm restrictions.
• Domestic violence education courses.
• Clinical or medical assessments.

Keep These Tips in Mind

If there is a dispute involving you and a member of your family, the responding police officer may issue an emergency protective order and criminal charges against you.

 According to the law in Virginia, domestic violence pertains to members of immediate family and step-family, as well as:

• Parents
• Children
• Brothers and Sisters
• Spouses
• Former Spouses
• Partners who share a child.
• In-laws who live in the household.
• Anyone who has lived in the house in the previous year.
• The children of anyone who has lived in the house in the previous year.

Penalties skyrocket for repeat offenses. As stated earlier, a first-offense domestic violence offense is a misdemeanor punishable by up to a year in prison. However, this misdemeanor escalates to a Class 6 felony if:

• The violence is a repeat offense.
• You have two similar offenses on your record in the past 20 years.
• The violence includes malicious wounding or aggravated malicious wounding.

Contact Us

If you or someone you love is charged with domestic violence in the Commonwealth of Virginia, you need a qualified, experienced family law firm like WhitbeckBennett to represent you. Everybody deserves a family lawyer who will take the time to get to know the situation and understand all sides of the story. 

At WhitbeckBennett, we always provide confidential services and competitive rates for our representation. 

Call 800-516-3964 or contact us here to schedule your initial consultation with WhitbeckBennett today. A member of our team is waiting to hear from you. 

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