Unfortunately, false allegations of domestic violence are increasingly common—especially in cases where child custody is at stake.
If you’ve been falsely accused of domestic violence, the first thing you need to do is get in touch with a domestic violence defense lawyer in Wisconsin who understands how serious these charges can be.
What Does a Domestic Violence Defense Lawyer Do?
Your domestic violence defense lawyer will explain the potential consequences you’re facing if a judge convicts you. He or she will have a lot of questions for you, including what led up to the alleged incident, what the other party is saying happened, and what happened after the alleged incident.
It’s important that you answer your lawyer’s questions completely and honestly; your attorney can’t develop the most comprehensive defense if he or she doesn’t have all the facts.
As soon as you’ve told your lawyer your version of events, he or she will start building the defense strategy that gets you the best possible outcome.
What Are the Possible Consequences of a Domestic Violence Conviction?
In order to find you guilty of domestic violence, the prosecution must show that the alleged victim is your spouse or former spouse, someone you’ve lived with in the past or you currently live with, or a person with whom you share a child. Otherwise, the State prosecutes the crimes without considering it domestic violence (such as battery, for example).
If you’re convicted of an act of domestic violence, the first thing you need to know is that the court imposes a surcharge of $100 for each count of domestic violence.
Typically, domestic violence is a misdemeanor. However, if you’re considered a “domestic abuse repeater,” your sentence can be increased by up to 2 years.
If your domestic violence conviction involves your use of force or a deadly weapon, the attempted use of force, or threatened use of a deadly weapon, it will result in a permanent prohibition on your ability to receive or possess a firearm under federal law.
Do You Need a Domestic Violence Defense Lawyer?
If you’re facing these very serious charges, it’s probably in your best interest to get a free domestic violence defense consultation. You’ll talk to a knowledgeable, skilled attorney who can give you case-specific legal advice and explain the possible consequences for your specific situation.
Call us at 414-383-6700. Tell us what happened (and what didn’t happen) so we can begin developing a defense strategy that gets you the best possible outcome.
