Domestic violence has ruined the lives of many people throughout the globe. Although the violence will have adverse effects on many individuals’ lives, unjust accusations will ruin a person’s life completely.
If you have been charged with domestic violence, it is advisable to ensure that you’re conversant with the facts that revolve around such cases when they’re presented in court.
1. Secure Your Own Evidence
If you’re accused of something you never did, the best solution is to ensure that you have your own evidence such that you can prove you’re indeed innocent. The accuser cannot table such evidence, which is why you should present it yourself.
Were there any witnesses? You should identify them. They should issue a statement. Also, you can bring them to court, where they’ll take a stand and talk about what happened.
Videos and pictures also come in handy since they’ll help prove your innocence. You’ll record and save the text messages of the conversations you had with the accuser. To be well prepared, you should be free, which is where a bail bond comes in handy.
2. Hire the Right Attorney
The legal field is broad, and lawyers have to specialize in certain areas. For instance, if you’re handling a domestic violence case, you should hire an attorney specializing in handling such cases. Ensure the litigator is skilled and experienced.
3. Get a Bail Bond
For the people who are unaware, bail is a form of insurance that people pay after being presented before a court of law. After paying the bail bond, you’ll be released before the trial takes place. The amount you’ll pay as the bail bond is dependent on factors such as whether you’re a flight risk and the type of crime you committed, of which, in this case, the main focus is domestic violence.
4. Ensure You Have a Basic Understanding of Your Rights
For each case, you should ensure your rights have been upheld. By understanding your rights, you’ll get the justice you deserve. For a domestic violence dispute, you can contact witnesses who can issue their testimony, you can examine the evidence presented by the prosecutor, and you can also table your evidence. When you work with the right attorney, there is a high likelihood you’ll win the case.
5. Take Your Own Written Record
When the police arrive at the crime scene, they need to follow specific standards. For instance, they need to record a statement from the involved parties. During such instances, the police are biased, and they may fail to request a statement from the accused party. It is advisable to ensure the police have recorded your statement. It will come in handy in court.
6. Plan Out the Case with an Attorney
If you have an attorney, you should ensure they know what they’re doing. The litigator is supposed to act as the team leader when it comes to formulating the game plan you’ll use in court.
7. Adhere to the Court Orders After Being Released from Custody
After paying the bail bond, you’ll be released from court. There are specific guidelines that you should adhere to after your release. One of these guidelines includes attending the court sessions promptly on the set dates while also avoiding additional legal issues.
8. Ensure the Victim Signs a Non-Prosecution Affidavit
There are different ways to stop the prosecution before they press any charges against you, and one of them is through an affidavit of non-prosecution. The victim is supposed to sign the affidavit, which means all charges against you will be dropped. Liaise with the victim and the attorneys and look for the best way to handle such an issue to ensure the case takes less time in court.
Final Thoughts
By understanding each of these facts, you’ll be in a better position to handle the domestic violence case once it has been presented in court. You should also work with the right attorney if you’re going to win the case.
