Richmond, VA Domestic Violence Defense Lawyer
27+ Years of Experience Helping Clients Combat Their Charges
Domestic violence is among the most common crimes in the nation. What’s important to understand is that accusations are not always true, meaning you could suffer life-changing legal punishments if you don’t take your charges seriously. Even if you know you are innocent, that’s not enough to fight your charges.
Whether you were involved in a heated argument or have a hateful ex with bad intentions, a domestic violence allegation could easily arise. The alleged victim could argue that you threatened them with violence or obtained a dangerous object that they perceived would be used as a weapon.
You have far too much to lose to overlook the seriousness of your domestic violence charges. Thus, it’s in your best interests to rely on Attorney Paul C. Galanides to defend your freedom and future.
With 27+ years of experience, he knows what is required for a successful outcome. To learn more about our experienced domestic violence attorney in Richmond, contact us online or give us a call at (804) 977-0110 now!
What Is Domestic Violence?
In Virginia, domestic violence is called “family abuse.” This means any act involving violence, force, or threat including any forceful detention, which results in physical injury or places one in reasonable apprehension of serious bodily injury and which is committed by a person against such a person's family or household member.
Who Is Considered a Family or Household Member?
A "family or household member" includes:
- Spouse, regardless of residence
- Ex-spouse, regardless of residence
- In-laws who live in the same home
- Persons who have a child in common regardless of residence
- Co-habitants
- Those who have cohabited in the past year and their children
According to the law, if the police have a reason to believe that domestic assault and battery occurred, they are required to arrest the suspect. Thus, your charge depends entirely on the police officers’ opinions when they arrive at the scene, which is usually after an alleged crime has taken place. Thus, they can make an arrest without knowing the full story.
The Consequences of Domestic Violence Charges
The consequences of a domestic violence conviction could impact your life forever. Once your peers and loved ones learn about your charge, there is no going back: Your reputation is tarnished.
Even if they never learned about your situation, your criminal record would display your charge. As a result, you may lose your job and future employment opportunities, as well as the ability to secure housing and financial assistance.
Further, the victim may file a restraining order against you, prohibiting you from living in your home, seeing your children and enjoying a stable livelihood.
What to Do After a Domestic Violence Charge
Following your arrest, it is imperative to retain an experienced legal advocate who understands the criminal court system and how to fight your charge. The Law Office of Paul C. Galanides, P.C. has defended clients for over 27 years and utilizes a hard-hitting formula to help clients better resolve their charges: Practice, preparation and purpose.
He will guide you through your case every step of the way so you can understand what is happening throughout your experience. As a former prosecutor who served as Virginia’s Assistant Attorney General, Mr. Galanides obtains a rare yet invaluable insight into both sides of the law.
By staying up to date on changes to domestic violence laws, effective defense strategies and criminal court procedures, he is the proactive defense lawyer you can depend on to defend your domestic violence charges.
Don’t wait to get started on your domestic violence case in Richmond. Arrange a free consultation online or by calling (804) 977-0110!