How Much Does A Domestic Violence Attorney Cost?

Very few people plan for the expense of a domestic violence lawyer at any given point in their lives. Yet, the cost of not having a lawyer to defend you in court often costs more than the price of fair and accurate legal representation.

According to the United States Department of Justice, domestic violence is considered a pattern of abusive behavior used by one individual in a domestic relationship to gain or keep control over another. The term may relate to physical, sexual, psychological, or emotional actions or threats that negatively impact another person.

The implications of domestic violence charges are costly. Criminal consequences can be severe if you are found criminally liable, though the ramifications can seep into your personal life, relationships, professional prospects, and overall well being. A domestic violence lawyer, criminal defense attorney, or family law attorney can provide you and your family with legal agency.

In this article, we’re going to discuss the question of how much a domestic violence attorney costs, as well as the value your defense lawyer can provide you.

What’s The Cost of a Domestic Violence Charge?

A domestic violence accusation is serious, and the consequences of a charge can complicate life in many ways. The financial expense associated with seeking legal representation in a domestic violence case should not be considered equal to the cost of being charged. Depending on the severity of your case, you may pay the price in access to your children, loss of your career, injury to your public reputation, and restrictions to your professional prospects for years into the future.

The legal support your domestic violence attorney can provide may include seeking protective orders for victims, legal representation for divorce cases also related to domestic violence, and legal agency for those charged. Your attorney can also provide legal support to protect children involved in domestic violence cases.

Hiring a domestic violence defense attorney is the best way to ensure that your rights and interests are represented in court.

Find a Domestic Violence Defense Attorney As Soon As Possible

When you face domestic violence allegations, you need to solicit legal support at the earliest possible convenience. Your criminal defense lawyer will help you prepare for the case and provide the legal protection and representation necessary to mitigate the harm those allegations may do to you.

Criminal defense law firms will help plan your defense so that you are fairly and equitably represented before the courts. Louis J. Goodman is a California attorney exclusively practicing criminal defense law who can offer you full legal support with competitive attorney fees. Consult with Louis J. Goodman today to discuss your case and plan a reliable defense.

Charges Associated With Domestic Violence Enhancements

Domestic violence charges are considered a ‘wobbler offense’ in California, meaning that according to certain mitigating or aggravating factors, they can be treated as a misdemeanor or a felony offense.

Several criminal offenses can be enhanced by a domestic violence designation, each potentially resulting in jail time or other severe penalties. Here are some examples of charges that fall under the umbrella of domestic violence:

• Assault
• False imprisonment or kidnapping
• Abuse of an elder
• Unlawful sexual comportment
• Child abuse
• Criminal harassment
• Stalking

While the above are a few examples, the prosecution can add a DV enhancement to any criminal offense with sufficient evidence. Furthermore, any aggravating circumstances may increase the severity of the penalties you face for a domestic violence-enhanced charge. For example, if the alleged victim was pregnant at the time of the alleged offense, a misdemeanor charge may escalate to a felony.

What are the Penalties for Domestic Violence?

Along with the possibility of punishment by jail time, various other repercussions can arise from a California domestic violence conviction. These could ultimately impact your life in significant ways and may include:

• Mandatory participation in a batterer’s intervention program
• Payment of fines or victim recompensation
• A permanent criminal record
• A restraining order
• Loss of child custody
• Revocation of California gun rights
• Immigration ramifications for non-citizens (for example, deportation or inadmissibility to the USA)

In most cases, when your case is correctly handled by a competent lawyer, you will not end up serving jail time. You may be able to avoid a domestic violence designation altogether. It’s critical to consider your lawyer’s experience with domestic violence cases and criminal defense representation so you can trust that your case is in the most proficient hands.

What Factors Impact a Domestic Violence Lawyer’s Cost?

The average domestic violence attorney fees in California vary depending on the facts and circumstances surrounding your case. I do not charge for an initial consultation and we can discuss all issues, including legal fees at an appropriate time.

• Whether the case is held at the civil court, criminal court, or divorce and family court
• Whether you have been charged or convicted with DV before
• Whether you have prior criminal convictions
• The type of experience your lawyer has
• Lawyer’s track record of success with previous cases
• Whether the case is likely to resolve in a plea or a trial
• The number of charges made against you

It’s recommended that you contact a criminal defense attorney as soon as possible to discuss your options and get an idea of the attorney fees for your case. You can call Louis J Goodman for a no-obligation, free consultation. Here, you can take the first steps to learn more about your case and get a written statement of fees for your consideration.

Cost Does Not Equal Price

The cost of legal representation by a highly-trained and experienced domestic violence attorney is often little when compared with the value of what you stand to lose without a lawyer. After all, it’s hard to put a price on justice.

By working with a proficient and competent attorney, you can regain your peace of mind. Not to mention the civil liberties, family connections, and professional opportunities that remain open to you in the future. These are usually significantly more valuable to alleged domestic violence offenders than the cost of fair representation. Rather than considering the price tag of a legal defense, it may help to think about the ideal outcomes you seek and whether your lawyer can achieve those results.

Protect Your Rights With a Domestic Violence Lawyer

When you’re facing a domestic violence charge, the aftermath can reverberate through your family relationships, professional prospects, public reputation, and overall wellbeing for years to come. Not to mention the potential criminal punishments such a charge carries.

Domestic violence is broadly defined and is taken seriously by the California justice system. The best way to mitigate the impacts of a domestic violence conviction is to seek a highly-skilled and disciplined criminal defense lawyer to represent you and defend your rights in court.

Louis J. Goodman is a California attorney exclusively practicing criminal defense for over 20 years. With a comprehensive understanding of the California justice system, enduring practice of domestic violence defense, and an impeccable reputation among judges and prosecutors. Please contact Louis J. Goodman today.