Columbia Domestic Violence Lawyer

Columbia Domestic Violence Attorney

If you are ever charged with domestic violence, it is vital that you immediately seek out a lawyer and start fighting those charges. A domestic violence charge is enough to completely shatter your entire life as you know it. Sometimes, just the accusation can be enough to cause serious damage to your employment, social standing, and personal relationships. You should reach out to a Columbia domestic violence lawyer as soon as you can.

The Law Office of Charles T. Brooks III understands the potential devastation that a domestic violence charge and subsequent criminal conviction can do to your reputation. If you don’t approach the situation with seriousness and care, you could end up suffering for a very long time. If convicted, you will have a criminal record that will follow you forever. A criminal record can hurt your job opportunities and alter the way people treat you or even look at you.

What Can You Do After a Domestic Violence Charge?

According to a 2023 report from the Office of the South Carolina Attorney General (SCGA), there were a grand total of 30 people who were murdered in a domestic violence situation in South Carolina that year. 24 of those 30 were women. Six of them were men. Domestic violence knows no gender. Men and women alike can be victims as well as perpetrators.

If you are in a situation where you might be accused of domestic violence, it could be weighing on you in many different ways. It could be affecting your mental health and making it hard to even wake up in the morning. If you are struggling mentally, you should consider reaching out to a Columbia mental health support group, such as NAMI South Carolina or Thriveworks. Having someone to talk to about what you’re going through can be greatly beneficial in multiple ways.

Following a domestic violence charge, your very first move should be to hire a lawyer. A domestic violence lawyer is not going to judge you or assume your guilt. They are only going to do whatever they can to fight these charges and clear your name. They can build a viable defense strategy and gather evidence that supports your version of events. Hiring an experienced lawyer greatly increases your chances of resolving your situation.

What to Do If You Are Arrested

If you are arrested on domestic violence charges, it can really hurt your reputation. Some people may only see you as guilty based solely on that. Trust can be hard to win back, even if you’re not the one who broke it. It can be hard to believe in your case when you’re riding in a police car, but it’s important that you don’t lose hope. You are afforded certain constitutional rights that can never be infringed upon, and you are always innocent until proven guilty, no matter what.

Your rights as an American citizen include the right to remain silent and your right to legal counsel. Both of these rights are going to be invaluable as you navigate the legal process. Remember that you never have to talk to the police if you don’t want to. They may not have nearly as much evidence against you as they claim, and they might be counting on a confession to clinch their case. Don’t give them anything. Say nothing, and simply wait for your lawyer.

When your attorney arrives to represent your interests, you can let them talk to law enforcement on your behalf. Your lawyer can then discuss the case with you alone and start working on a sound defense strategy. They could build a strategy based on self-defense if your actions were somewhat justified to protect yourself. You might also claim that the accusations were fabricated and made entirely to hurt your reputation. It all depends.

FAQs About Columbia, SC Domestic Violence Laws

How Much Does a Lawyer Cost for a Domestic Violence Case?

How much your domestic violence defense lawyer may cost will depend entirely on the details of your case. Every domestic violence case is different, and there’s no way to know what the contributing factors of your case are going to be until your lawyer looks through it and decides to take it on. Overall, the cost of your case is going to be determined by its complexity as well as the lawyer’s own experience and education, among other factors.

How Many Domestic Violence Cases Result in Jail Time?

You may be surprised that a very small number of domestic violence cases actually result in jail time. Many alleged offenders who do get convicted may not receive jail time. It all depends on the circumstances of your case and the exact charges being made against you. For example, you could end up being convicted of a charge of aggravated assault instead of just domestic violence. Either way, you are going to want to hire a lawyer to defend your position.

How Can I Beat a Domestic Violence Charge?

There are several ways to beat a domestic violence charge. To use them properly, you are going to want to hire an experienced domestic violence lawyer who understands what you are going to need in this case. They can put together a strong defense strategy based on self-defense, false accusations, a strong alibi, or anything else that refutes the charges being made against you.

Do I Really Need a Lawyer for a Domestic Violence Case?

Yes, you are really going to need a lawyer for a domestic violence case. A domestic violence charge is very serious. If you do not do everything in your power to clear your name, you could be looking at serious consequences and permanent damage to your social standing at the very least. The right lawyer can stand up for you legally and make sure nobody tries to take advantage of your position or paint you in an abusive light.

Contact Us Today

The Law Office of Charles T. Brooks III knows how difficult these kinds of cases can get, and we know how to fight these charges. Contact us to speak to someone on our team about your case.