Domestic Assault Lawyer in Davidson County

Domestic assault – or domestic violence – charges are serious charges that apply to assault against a relative or roommate, and the consequences of a conviction are immense. If you are facing a domestic assault charge, mounting a vigorous defense is critical, and for that, you need an experienced domestic assault lawyer in Davidson County on your side.

Defense Strategies

Domestic assault charges are often based on simple overreactions or overstatements that flow from overheated situations in which emotions run high. In such instances, it’s not unusual for accusers to allow anger to guide their words – rather than sticking to the facts. In other words, domestic violence charges sometimes involve no underlying crime.

When it comes to domestic assault charges, it’s important to have a solid understanding of what generally drives these cases and the basis of most successful defense strategies.

Witnesses

When officers respond to domestic violence calls, they are obviously responding to the caller’s version of events, and if you’re the person who’s been accused, this puts you in a difficult position. This is what makes having witnesses who can corroborate your position so valuable. Whether the witness is a member of your household, a family member, a friend, a neighbor, or a bystander, witnesses can play a critical role in building a solid defense.

Physical Evidence

Often, physical evidence is exceptionally light when it comes to domestic assault cases, but this does not alter the fact that whatever physical evidence there is can play an outsized role in the outcome of the case.

Context and Credibility

In most domestic assault cases, the only witnesses are the accused and the accuser, which makes the credibility of both sides key to establishing the context of the charge. Consider all the following:

• Records of all forms of communication between you and your accuser can help to set the backdrop for the incident in question, including call logs, DMs, posts on social media, texts, emails, and other forms of electronic communication.
• Your accuser’s background with the authorities will also be taken into consideration. For example, if they have a history of making domestic assault accusations that go nowhere, it can affect their credibility.
• Further, someone who charges domestic assault but never called the police for help in response can lead to credibility concerns for the accuser.

Ultimately, building your strongest defense will come down to fleshing out a snapshot of what happened, the roles both parties played, and the holes in your accuser’s version of events, which tends to be accomplished through legal insight and creative defense strategizing that takes a holistic view.

Resolving the Charge

You’ve been accused of domestic assault, and the stakes are extremely high. There are four basic paths forward toward successfully putting the matter behind you.

Dropping the Charge

The best outcome in relation to any criminal charge is having it dropped, which is your dedicated domestic assault lawyer’s primary goal. The best chance of accomplishing this is mounting a fierce defense right out of the gate. While having the charge against you dropped is a lofty goal, it does happen and should be a primary focus from the start.

Dismissing the Charge

The dismissal or retirement of a charge by agreement with the involved prosecutor stems from a defense so strong that one of the following applies:

• The state is convinced you’re not guilty.
• The state would have a difficult time convicting you.
• The state would not be able to convict you.

Negotiating a Diversion Agreement

Barring having your charge dropped or dismissed, you can avoid an outright conviction by negotiating a diversion plea. With a diversion plea, you are required to plead guilty, or no contest, to the domestic assault charge, and your plea will be held in temporary suspense until you successfully complete the terms of your diversion agreement, which can include any combination of the following:

• Taking a related class
• Having no contact with the other person
• Fulfilling probation requirements

Once you satisfy your diversion program’s terms and conditions, the charge against you will be dismissed and expunged from your record. Failure to do so, however, can lead to your guilty plea being reentered.

Going to Court

There is clearly considerable risk associated with going to trial, but it’s sometimes the only path forward – especially when the state is not interested in engaging in reasonable negotiations. Your savvy domestic assault lawyer will help you explore your best options and make the right decisions for you throughout the criminal justice process – including being well prepared to fiercely defend you in court if it comes to that.

Domestic Assault FAQs

Can’t I just negotiate a deal with the prosecution myself?

Your best chance of coming out on the other side of a domestic assault charge with a clean record is with a trusted domestic assault lawyer in your corner. Leaving the outcome of your case to chance is ill-advised.

What are the consequences of a domestic violence conviction in Davidson County?

Even a conviction for misdemeanor simple domestic assault can have serious consequences, such as:

• Jail time
• A permanent conviction
• Difficulty finding future employment and housing opportunities
• Lifetime loss of firearm rights

What are the chances my case will go to court?

Your case will be unique to the situation it reflects, and your domestic assault lawyer’s focus is on skillfully obtaining the best possible resolution. While it’s unlikely that your case will go to trial, there is a possibility that it will.

Who do domestic assault charges apply to?

Domestic assault charges relate to misdemeanor or felony assault against someone with whom one of the following applies:

• You live with or have lived with them
• You have or have had a romantic relationship with them
• You are related to them
• You are or were related to them by marriage

Reach Out to an Experienced Domestic Assault Lawyer in Davidson County Today

Domestic assault charges are serious, and the State of Tennessee takes them seriously. If you’re facing a domestic assault charge, the formidable domestic assault lawyers at Raybin & Weissman in Davidson County recognize its gravity and are well prepared to implement their vast experience in focused pursuit of your case’s best possible outcome. Learn more by reaching out and contacting us through our website or calling us at 615-256-6666 today.