Shreveport Domestic Violence Defense Lawyer

Shreveport Domestic Violence Defense Attorney

Domestic violence is not limited to altercations between a husband and wife. Domestic violence may occur between anyone with an intimate relationship, including parents, children, former spouses, stepparents, stepchildren, foster parents, and foster children. If you are facing accusations and charges of domestic violence, it is essential to your rights and your future that you work with a Shreveport domestic violence defense lawyer.

The criminal justice system can feel incredibly overwhelming and hostile, especially when you have been accused of a crime like domestic violence. Domestic violence is a very serious situation that affects many families, but charges can, unfortunately, be faulty or false.

You may have been charged for acting in self-defense or may even be the victim of domestic violence. Legal support is crucial to protect your civil rights and work for the ideal outcome of your case.

The Berg Law Firm: Committed Criminal Defense Attorneys in Shreveport

It can be incredibly overwhelming to face criminal charges. You need reliable, skilled, and respectful legal counsel. At The Berg Law Firm, we have worked for the past 15 years to support and defend the rights of individuals in our community. Our criminal defense experience includes years of defending those who have been accused of domestic violence offenses. We understand the process of these investigations and which defenses may apply to your situation.

Our goal is to empower you to help you make crucial choices about your future and defend against criminal charges. You are innocent until proven guilty, and our firm works to help you secure the most beneficial outcome to your charges. Our attorneys work to provide personalized representation for each individual we represent, building an effective defense. We can be a steadfast ally and help you get the justice you deserve.

What Is Domestic Violence and Abuse in Shreveport?

Domestic abuse battery is the intentional use of force against another household member or family member. When a police officer arrives on the scene of a reported domestic violence incident, an individual may be falsely accused and arrested with little evidence. To make an arrest, the police officer at the scene simply needs probable cause that a crime has occurred.

A household member includes anyone currently or formerly living with the alleged offender in the same residence, and has been in an intimate relationship with the offender. A household member can also include any child that is living with the offender, or any of the offender’s children even if they do not live together. A family member includes numerous close relatives by blood, adoption, or foster family members.

If you find yourself facing domestic violence charges in Shreveport, Louisiana, it’s crucial to have a skilled Shreveport Domestic Violence Defense Lawyer on your side. They can help protect your rights and fight for a favorable outcome.

Additionally, if you are arrested for domestic violence, there is no bail set until a “Gwen’s Law” hearing takes place. At this hearing, a judge will determine how much of a threat an individual may be before granting bail.

Domestic Violence Offenses

Domestic abuse battery is the crime of intentional force or violence against someone’s family member or member of their household. If you are convicted of domestic abuse battery, then you may be facing up to six months in jail and a $1000 fine. However, if this is not your first conviction for domestic violence, then you may be facing stiffer penalties. If the offense involves strangulation, then you may be sentenced up to three years in prison.

Penalties can also increase if there is serious bodily injury or if the offense was committed through burning the victim or with the use of a deadly weapon. Domestic abuse aggravated assault is the offense of using a dangerous weapon to commit an assault against a household or family member. It could result in between one and five years in prison and up to $5,000 in fines. There can be aggravated penalties if a child 13 years old or younger was a witness to the offense.

Domestic violence offenses can be charged as a misdemeanor or a felony, depending on the crime and specifics of the offense. Domestic violence offenses can also include other crimes committed against family members or household members, including:

• Stalking and aggravated stalking
• Harassment
• Violation of a protective order
• Criminal neglect
• Sex offenses

Domestic Violence and Protective Orders

When accused of domestic violence, you may also be facing a protective order. Before the protective order hearing, a temporary restraining order may be put in place by a judge. These protective orders prevent you from having any contact with the victim either directly or indirectly. A temporary restraining order and a protective order may have far-reaching effects on your life.

You may be facing provisions impacting your assets, child custody, and your ability to go anywhere you’d like in the community. A violation of a granted protective order may result in being held in contempt of court or facing the criminal charge of violating a protective order.

If you have been arrested for a domestic violence offense you need a Shreveport Domestic Violence Defense Lawyer in your corner immediately.

Potential Collateral Consequences of a Domestic Violence Conviction in Shreveport

There are immediate criminal penalties for conviction of a criminal offense, including imprisonment and fines. However, there are also long-term consequences due to acquiring a criminal record and being convicted of a domestic violence offense. Some of these penalties could include:

• Loss of your job and future employment opportunities
• Prohibited from being employed in certain fields
• Prohibited from securing a professional license
• Limitations due to a protective order
• Loss of custody or visitation rights for your children
• Limitations on opportunities for education, loans, or housing
• Losing the right to own or possess a firearm

These collateral consequences can follow you for the rest of your life. The most effective way to avoid them is to avoid conviction for the offense with the help of an Shreveport Domestic Violence Defense attorney.

FAQs

Q: How Do I Beat a Domestic Violence Case in Louisiana?

A: The most effective way to beat a domestic violence case in Shreveport and other areas of Louisiana is with legal representation from a criminal defense attorney. There may be several available defenses for the charges you face, and an experienced attorney can review your situation to determine the ideal defense. There may be a lack of evidence against you for a conviction, or you may have acted in self-defense. You may also be able to secure a plea deal for a lesser charge.

Q: How Much Is a Domestic Violence Charge in Louisiana?

A: The charge of domestic violence in Louisiana can vary depending on the severity of the offense, any aggravating factors, and the state and local laws. A first-offense domestic violence battery charge in Louisiana may result in very serious penalties. It is typically considered a misdemeanor offense, but the charge could be elevated to a felony with the use of a deadly weapon or burning.

Q: Can You Drop a Domestic Violence Charge in Louisiana?

A: A domestic violence charge can be dropped in Louisiana, but the decision is not solely up to the victim. Once proceedings have begun, either due to the victim’s report or another cause for investigation, the charges can only be dropped if the prosecution chooses to drop them. The victim can decide not to cooperate with the prosecution, and this can limit the amount of evidence the prosecution has against the offender.

Q: How Long Does a Domestic Violence Charge Stay on Your Record in Louisiana?

A: A criminal conviction remains on your record in Louisiana unless it is expunged. Domestic abuse battery cannot be expunged, regardless of whether it is a misdemeanor or a felony. Certain other criminal offenses, such as stalking or sex offenses, also cannot be expunged. This is also true when those offenses are domestic violence charges. Since the charges cannot be expunged, the effects of a domestic battery charge will affect you for the rest of your life.

Contact The Berg Law Firm for Skilled Legal Defense

The criminal, personal, social, and professional consequences of a domestic violence conviction can be severe. If you are in the Bossier City/Shreveport area, The Berg Law Firm can offer its services to you if you need legal representation. If you have been charged with domestic violence offenses, contact our firm. With our legal support on your side, you have a better chance of getting the justice you deserve.