Defending the Victims of Domestic Violence Offenses

Crimes involving domestic violence can be some of the most unique criminal offenses to handle as a criminal attorney. Because of the nature of domestic violence charges, the parties involved are almost always family members or romantic partners. This causes a unique dynamic in that victims will fall into one of two categories. One category of domestic violence victims are those who are extremely afraid to go back to an abusive or dangerous family member. The other category includes victims who made allegations against their loved ones in emotionally compromised circumstances and who very quickly decide not to press charges. If you are a domestic violence victim who falls into either of those categories, retaining a dedicated Clearwater criminal lawyer can be beneficial for you to achieve your specific goals for the case.

Many people involved in domestic violence disputes contact the authorities because they believe that the police are here to protect them and to solve problems. In reality the police have very little wiggle room when dealing with domestic violence situations. Time and time again, we hear from the victims of domestic violence stating that they merely wanted the police to calm the situation down and separated the participants. In many situations, the victim is shocked when the defendant is dragged away in handcuffs even after he or she claims they do not want to press any charges.

As criminal defense lawyers, our primary role is to represent and defend those charged with criminal offenses. To investigate their cases, to poke holes in the state’s case, and to present defenses to the court. However, the roles of criminal defense lawyers can expand beyond that of simply doing defense work. We understand that many cases involve people who are indeed victimized by abusers and legitimate criminal offenders. We also understand that some cases arise from misunderstandings instead of true criminal conduct. Whether you are a victim who falls into the former or latter category, an experienced Clearwater criminal lawyer can help you achieve your desired results.

If criminal charges against your loved one have arisen as a result of a misunderstanding or outright fabrication by law enforcement, a criminal lawyer can help you—as the victim—navigate the often complex and unfamiliar criminal justice system. Prosecutors will often seek their own agenda, and will pursue prosecutions even when they are well aware that a victim does not want to press charges. A skilled lawyer in this scenario can help nudge the prosecutors in the right direction.

If you are legitimately afraid of the defendant on a case, retaining a lawyer can help ensure that your case is not simply swept under the rug by the prosecution. Prosecutors are often overzealous, but they are also overworked and do not do the work necessary on their case. This neglect can often result in cases getting dismissed when they should be prosecuted to the full extent of the law. A dedicated Clearwater criminal lawyer can help ensure that your case does not fall through the cracks of the criminal justice system and that you achieve the justice that you deserve.

The attorneys at Hanlon Law have spent years crafting defenses for clients charged with crimes and zealously representing victims in other cases. We pride ourselves not only on the excellent results that we achieve for our clients, but also on the relationships that we are able to build with them. With communication and trust built with our clients, there are few goals that we are unable to achieve. Our team wants to get to work on your case, whether you are accused of an offense or are the victim of a crime. Don’t hesitate to contact us right away for a consultation to find out how we can help you at 727-897-5413.