Vienna, Virginia Domestic Violence Attorneys

Experienced Defense Lawyers for Domestic Violence Accusations in Vienna, VA

An accusation of domestic violence can be disastrous for your personal and professional life. When police get involved, you could end up facing criminal charges, threatening you with a long-term criminal record. If you are facing allegations of domestic violence, a skilled defense lawyer in Vienna can help protect you in a court of law and challenge the prosecution's case.

Domestic violence cases often occur at the intersection between family law and criminal defense. Having an attorney who is skilled in both areas can be beneficial for your case. At Salvado Law Offices, we can provide you with qualified representation and counsel based on more than 25 years of legal experience.

What Does Domestic Violence Mean?

Domestic violence, known as family abuse in Virginia, is a broad term used to describe any act of physical harm or threats of bodily injury against a family or household member. Some criminal offenses have stricter penalties when the victim is a family or household member.

Additionally, you could be subject to a protective order if your accuser takes a claim of family abuse to court. This can come with a number of sanctions depending on the kind of protective order. For example, you may be prohibited from contacting the alleged victim or purchasing, possessing, or transporting firearms.

If you are convicted of an offense involving domestic violence, it could have serious ramifications for your employment. A conviction of a misdemeanor or felony will remain visible to your current and future employers who run a background check on you, which may severely restrict your job opportunities. It is also worth noting that domestic assault convictions cannot be sealed under Virginia law, so it is imperative that you fight these charges in court.

Domestic Assault

The crime of assault and battery is prosecuted as a Class 1 misdemeanor in Virginia, punishable by no more than 12 months in jail. You can be charged with assault and battery for putting someone in fear of physical harm with a threat or unlawfully touching another person. Injury is not a prerequisite for a battery charge.

A first conviction of assault and battery against a family or household member is not prosecuted any differently than a normal assault and battery charge. However, if you have a previous conviction on record for assault and battery or another violent crime committed against a family member within the last 20 years, you could be charged with a Class 6 felony, and a conviction may carry one to five years of incarceration.

There are several ways to dispute a domestic assault and battery charge. At Salvado Law Offices, we may be able to challenge the validity of your accuser's claims by citing a lack of evidence. Alternatively, we could argue that you were acting in reasonable self-defense or to protect someone else.

Stalking

If you are charged with stalking a family or household member, it could be labeled as family abuse. In order to secure a conviction for a stalking charge, the prosecution must prove beyond a reasonable doubt that you intended to place another person in fear of physical harm, sexual assault, or death through repeated conduct.

You can also be charged with stalking if you reasonably should have known that your conduct would have put someone in fear of physical harm, sexual assault, or death. If convicted, you could face Class 1 misdemeanor penalties and have a protective order placed against you.

Contact a Vienna Domestic Violence Defense Lawyer Today

Accusations of domestic violence and family abuse are taken seriously in Virginia. If you have been accused of threatening or attacking a family or household member, Salvado Law Offices can represent you in court. Our Vienna, VA criminal law attorneys are here to protect your rights. Call us at 301-933-1814 or reach out to us online to schedule a free consultation today.