Domestic Violence in Family Law Cases
An argument can turn ugly fast, and the consequences may be dire if it gets out of hand. If you’ve been accused of domestic violence, give a Terre Haute domestic violence attorney a call to protect your freedom and your family.
Many people end up in heated arguments with their spouses, but you might have found yourself arguing with your partner one moment and being arrested the next. Domestic violence is taken seriously in Indiana—the family and criminal consequences can severely affect your life.
This is especially serious if you’re a parent. You need to protect your children and your connection to them, and a domestic violence conviction can hurt your chance of seeing them again. This can be devastating for you and the child who is losing a parent.
Contact a Terre Haute domestic violence lawyer. At Rowdy G. Williams Law Firm, we have experienced attorneys who can fight your charges and help you see your family again. Protecting yourself from a conviction is important, so act now and contact our lawyers for help.
A Domestic Violence Conviction Is Serious
Domestic violence is a serious charge, and it can haunt you for years after the conviction. At the least serious, you could still be charged with a Class A misdemeanor, which will mean up to one year in jail and fines of up to $5,000.
But your conviction may be more serious. You could receive a Level 6 felony if this isn’t your first conviction or if the incident took place in front of a minor. Here, your fines will climb to $10,000 at maximum and a prison sentence of up to two and a half years.
The penalties won’t end once you’re released. Even if you’ve paid for everything and been released, you’ll still be restricted in job hunting, living options, and your family. Calling a domestic violence lawyer in Terre Haute can help ensure you’ll see your family again. We’ll gather evidence and defend you in court so you have a better chance of beating your charges.
A Conviction Will Affect Your Family
It’s important to keep in mind the impact a conviction for domestic violence in Terre Haute can have on your family. Your marriage may be especially impacted—a felony conviction can be used against you in a divorce.
In Indiana, you must provide a reason for your divorce. Although “irretrievable breakdown of marriage” is often a go-to choice, if your spouse files because you were convicted of a felony, this could hurt your chance for child visitation or custody rights once you’ve been released.
The best solution is to avoid a conviction, but that’s not easy without legal help. When you’re facing the dual issues of a criminal charge and family breakdown, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed. Fortunately, a Terre Haute domestic violence charge lawyer can help you handle both sides of the issue.
Protecting Your Visitation or Custody Rights
If your spouse decides to file for divorce, you’ll also need to consider your rights as a parent, on top of fighting criminal accusations of domestic violence. You’ll need to protect your time with your children, and if you don’t fight your domestic violence charges in Terre Haute, you’ll be at a disadvantage already.
Seeing your children is important to you and the children, but when it comes to custody and visitation, your spouse may resist giving you your visitation rights. The court will consider this, as well as the following:
- Your child’s wishes
- The child’s safety
- Distance from the child’s school and home
If you’ve gotten a misdemeanor or felony conviction, you’ll need to fight especially hard for your rights, but your first goal will be avoiding conviction altogether. Once you’re no longer in danger of a felony conviction, you’ll have a better shot at fighting for your rights as a parent.
Meet With a Terre Haute Domestic Violence Attorney
The situation got heated and out of control, and now you’re awaiting trial and facing the possibility of losing your family. This is difficult to overcome by yourself, but you don’t have to act alone. When you’re facing criminal charges and separation from your family, you might feel overwhelmed without a lawyer from Rowdy G. Williams Law Firm on your side.
Fortunately, a lawyer can help you handle this situation. Starting with a consultation about your case, our team can prepare a strong defense for your domestic violence charges—this will be key to protecting your rights. Then, we’ll help you prepare for mediation with your family, making sure your rights to your children are protected.
For help preparing for your case, speak with a Terre Haute domestic violence lawyer. Schedule your appointment by calling us at 1-812-232-7400 or filling out the form below.
