A domestic violence charge is a very serious thing. If convicted, you can face jail time, fines and more. It can also affect your child custody status and your career. The best way to avoid the negative effects of domestic violence is to fight the charges with the assistance of a Seattle domestic violence lawyer.

If you are facing domestic violence charges, the first thing you should do is educate yourself on the law and the penalties you may be facing. A domestic violence offense does not have to be committed at your home or even in a private location. In fact, the alleged victim does not even have to testify against you in order for a charge to occur. If there were witnesses to the incident who are willing to testify against you, the prosecution does not need the alleged victim. For example, if you get into an argument with your significant other at a nightclub after several drinks and you push him/her, a witness can call the police and you will be arrested. If the witness says that you were violent, you will be charged with domestic violence even if your significant other did not feel threatened or injured.   

These laws were created to protect the victims; which is a great idea, but it can often lead to innocent people being charged with crimes that are much more serious than their actions. If another person witnesses what they think is abuse, you can be arrested and charged based solely on what they think they saw.

If you have been arrested for domestic violence in Washington, call a Seattle domestic violence defense attorney as soon as possible. We will help you build a strong defense and get the best possible results. Call us now for a free consultation.