Domestic Violence

A charge of domestic violence can have many negative consequences on your family life. Domestic violence cases are prosecuted in Clark County as aggressively as any place in the United States. Under Washington law, even after a domestic dispute is resolved, a “No Contact” order can still be issued. This means that you could be barred from seeing your family, or even staying in your own home. The disruption caused by such a charge affects your children, your relationship, and your ability to provide for your family. When a person has been arrested for domestic violence, he or she may not have actually broken any law. It is important to meet early with an experienced attorney if you have been charged with or arrested for domestic violence.

Domestic violence prosecution has risen in recent years in Washington. You can be prosecuted for domestic violence even if no injury occurred. Depending on the situation, you may even be charged with a felony. You can be convicted and imprisoned, even if the alleged victim doesn’t press charges or want you to be charged. You can be prohibited from seeing your family, and even denied custody or visitation rights. A conviction can lead to a permanent loss of firearm rights, difficulty in obtaining employment or rental housing, and a mandated one-year anger treatment program. Considering the long-term consequences of such a charge, you should involve an experienced domestic violence attorney as soon as possible to discuss your options.