Virginia Beach Domestic Violence Attorney

Despite how it is often portrayed in television and movies, domestic violence is a serious criminal offense in the state of Virginia. If you have recently been charged with domestic violence, it is important to contact an experienced Virginia Beach domestic violence attorney immediately in order to avoid the consequences of these charges.

As stated in Virginia’s criminal statutes, any type of assault (threatening harm) or battery (causing harm) against a household or family member can be charged with a Class 1 Misdemeanor—a category reserved for the most severe misdemeanor crimes. If you have two prior domestic violence convictions on your criminal record, the offense will be classified as a Class 6 Felony.

Contrary to what many people think, domestic violence is not always physical. Emotional, sexual, and psychological abuse within the home can also be treated as domestic violence. In addition, although domestic violence most commonly occurs between spouses or partners, any family member can be a victim of domestic violence—from children to parents.

Although jail time is not usually required for a first-time domestic violence conviction, you may be fined several hundreds of dollars, as well as sentenced to probation, community service, and/or mandatory counseling. If your sentence includes any type of court-ordered classes or therapy, you will be responsible for all expenses associated with the treatment. You will also be required to pay a specified monthly service fee if you are placed on probation.

You may face additional penalties if children were involved, or if you are a repeat offender. In these cases, your sentence will most likely include imprisonment, mandatory anger management classes, and a permanent criminal conviction. If convicted of a felony, you will also lose many of your personal rights, including the right to own a gun, vote, and hold a passport. A flawed criminal record will affect your future, as many employers will not hire you if you have a felony on your record. Your housing and educational opportunities may be jeopardized as well.

As you can see, domestic violence is no laughing matter. If you were recently charged, it is important for you to obtain legal counsel as soon as possible. Many Virginia judges are reluctant to reduce domestic violence charges, as they are often pressured to give offenders the maximum sentence possible. Having an attorney present can greatly increase your chances of obtaining a favorable outcome in court—in many cases, your lawyer may be able to negotiate a reduced sentence on your behalf, or even get the charges dismissed entirely.

With more than a decade of trial experience, attorney Michael C. Tillotson has the extensive legal knowledge that is required to fight your domestic violence charges. From investigating the evidence against you to arranging a plea bargain with the prosecutor, Mr. Tillotson will aggressively defend you every step of the way. Protect your rights—contact attorney Michael C. Tillotson today to schedule a free consultation on your case.