Let’s face it, things got a little out of hand the other day. The police showed up, people were crying, now everything is a disaster. The argument was obviously heated, but nobody needed to go to jail! This is a story we hear time and time again. People often call 911 hoping the police will calm things down but end up watching their loved one walk away in handcuffs. Domestic violence incidents can be some of the most volatile and dangerous situations police officers encounter. Whenever someone decides to make that call, you can be pretty sure someone is going to jail, regardless of the situation. But not all is lost, as every case is different. You just need to get some help from an experienced attorney.  

Accusations of domestic violence are devastating. You may not be able to come home right now. You may not be allowed to call your spouse. You’re probably still in shock, but it’s important to act quickly to protect your future, and we can help you each step of the way.  

You first need to understand how severe a domestic violence case can be. Depending on the charge, you could be facing up to a year in jail for a misdemeanor, or up to 10 years in prison for a felony. On top of the range of punishment for the charge, you will also be facing something called a “finding of family violence.”

Family violence findings carry some of the most extreme consequences you can face in a criminal court. It will certainly affect any divorce or child custody proceedings. It will become illegal for you to own a firearm or ammunition for the rest of your life. You may be evicted from your apartment and will struggle to find someone willing to lease to you. It could also jeopardize your current employment.

A conviction will hurt, plain and simple, so our goal is to act quickly to get you on track for the best possible outcome. Any attorney who says he or she can promise an outcome is lying to you, but we can commit to exhausting all our resources to avoid a conviction. The criminal justice system moves slow, and it’s even worse when it comes to family violence cases, as they’ll often take well over a year to make it to trial. However, there are steps you can be taking now to get a head start. We can guide you through each stage of the process. 

Worrying about what’s going to happen next won’t get anywhere, so just focus on taking that first step. Matt Schlake spent years prosecuting family violence cases for the Collin County District Attorney and is all too familiar with the how these cases are handled. By sitting down with us and talking through your case, you can gain a clear understanding of exactly where you stand. You will know exactly what is happening, the best- and worst-case scenarios, and how you can start taking action. We will spend as much time as it takes to make sure all your questions are answered. 

Every case is different, so you’ll surely have more to discuss with your attorney, regardless of who you choose to represent you. However, if you decide to give us a call, we’ll help get you the answers you need for your specific case. But whatever you decide to do, don’t gamble with your future. Seek legal representation as soon as possible.