The further the Hope Solo case progresses, the more clear it becomes that it is another hard-to-gauge domestic violence case.

Solo, who plays goalie for both the United States Women's National team and the Seattle Reign, was charged in June for an incident involving her half-sister and nephew at her half-sister's house. Solo's attorney claims that Solo was the victim and was defending herself.

Solo's attorney has asked Kirkland Municipal Court Judge Michael Lambo to dismiss the charges because the half-sister and nephew have destroyed evidence and because they have not cooperated with his investigation. Her attorney received permission to interview them in November, but they did not make themselves available for an interview until December 19.

At depositions, the two have also offered stories wildly different from those they gave police in June.

Court documents show that Solo is alleged to have gotten into a verbal altercation with her nephew. Her lawyer contends that her nephew is 6-foot-9 and 280 pounds. After he walked away from her, she followed him and eventually charged him, punching him in the face.

When his mother tried to intervene, Solo also attacked her. The nephew broke a wooden broom over Solo's head while trying to pull Solo off her.

According to Solo's attorney, her half-sister and nephew initially refused to submit to depositions. After finally submitting themselves for interviews, Solo's attorney claims that their stories changed greatly, now saying that Solo's sister-in-law witnessed the entire altercation and that Solo slammed her nephew's head 5 to 10 times into a concrete wall during the incident.

Judge Lambo is likely to rule on whether or not to dismiss the charges sometime on January 6. If they are not dismissed, Solo's trial is set to being on January 20.

As more and more details emerge, the Solo case is becoming a shining example of how hard it can be to mount a defense against domestic violence charges.

In this case, it is unlikely that Solo will have her charges dismissed. Dismissal is a severe punishment usually reserved for when the prosecuting attorney has acted improperly. When the parties simply disagree about the facts, or stories change, the courts will usually allow a jury decide who to believe. Even a party destroying evidence is generally insufficient for a dismissal.

If you have been charged with domestic violence in and around Seattle, you need an attorney who will fight for your rights at every step of litigation, including ensuring that witnesses are deposed and that their stories do not waver.

Attorney Steve Karimi has experience both prosecuting and defending countless domestic violence defendants. He understands that they often result from heated arguments that people remember differently. If you have been charged in or around Seattle with domestic violence, do not hesitate to contact the Law Offices of Steve Karimi for a free consultation.