Our Practice Areas
- CRIMINAL DEFENSE
- Assault
- Assault By Automobile
- Bail Reform
- Burglary
- Car Jacking
- Disorderly Persons Offenses
- Diversionary Programs
- Domestic Violence Defense
- Drug Crimes
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- Prostitution Offenses
- Receiving Stolen Property
- Restraining Orders
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- Sexual Assault
- Sexual Assault Offenses
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- Simple Assault
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- Theft Offenses
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- DUI/DWI & TRAFFIC
- DIVORCE & FAMILY LAW
- Adoption
- Child Custody & Visitation
- Child Support
- Divorce
- Divorce Litigation
- Domestic Violence
- Emergency Custody Applications
- High Asset Divorce
- High Income Child Support And Alimony
- Mediation
- Parent Child Relocation
- Post Judgment Modifications
- Property Division
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- Same-Sex Divorce
- Spousal Support Alimony
- FEDERAL CRIMES
Mercer County Domestic Violence Lawyers
Compassionate Domestic Violence Lawyers Committed to Protecting Clients’ Rights in Trenton, New Jersey
Domestic violence is taken extremely seriously by the New Jersey courts, and a conviction will have far-reaching consequences that will impact both you and your family over the long-term. New Jersey’s Prevention of Domestic Violence Act is far-reaching and comprehensive, and accusations of domestic violence can impact your freedom of movement, as well as your ability to spend time with your children, and will often carry serious criminal charges. In some situations, it is even mandatory that New Jersey law enforcement officials arrest you upon being accused of domestic violence.
Domestic violence cases present complications that are not present in many other criminal cases, and require the help of a lawyer experienced in both criminal law and family law to obtain the best possible outcome. At the Davis Law Firm, LLC, our team of skilled lawyers includes both a New Jersey certified criminal trial lawyer and experienced family lawyers who understand the severe impact that a domestic violence conviction can have on your family life.
Even if you believe the domestic violence charges against you were unjustified or made in error, these charges must be taken seriously. Our lawyers know that every domestic violence case is unique, and take the time necessary to get to know you on a personal level so that we can provide the most effective advice possible in your case. Contact our lawyers today to discuss your options if you have been accused of domestic violence in New Jersey.
New Jersey’s Domestic Violence Law
New Jersey’s Prevention of Domestic Violence Act provides that domestic violence charges can attach to a number of different alleged crimes where a pattern of abuse in a relationship between two parties can be shown. Contrary to popular belief, actual physical violence is not always necessary to support a domestic violence charge—in some cases, emotional, economic or psychological abuse can be sufficient. Some categories of domestic violence in New Jersey include:
- Harassment,
- Stalking,
- Lewdness,
- Kidnapping,
- Sexual assault,
- Assault,
- Terroristic threats,
- Burglary,
- False imprisonment,
- Criminal restraint,
- Criminal mischief,
- Criminal trespass, and
- Homicide.
In cases involving allegations of domestic violence, an initial hearing will often be held in which the alleged victim informally presents evidence to support his or her case. If the alleged victim is able to provide enough evidence that domestic violence did occur, the court will often issue a temporary restraining order (TRO) that will prohibit the accused person from contacting the alleged victim in any way. TROs can contain restrictions on where the accused person is allowed to be present, and can also contain any number of different conditions as the court sees fit.
Attorneys at the Davis Law Firm, LLC Offer Comprehensive Guidance in Your Domestic Violence Case
It is important that the TRO can be issued even before you have been convicted of any domestic violence crime, and can prevent you from seeing your children and being present at family and community events. Violating the TRO is a criminal offense in and of itself and, because of the low standard of evidence required to obtain a TRO, guidance from experienced legal counsel is necessary even at this relatively early stage in the criminal process. A TRO can remain in place at the discretion of the judge, and can be extended or replaced with a final restraining order if it is not removed. Once a TRO is finalized, it can become difficult to remove and can have consequences that may be difficult to initially anticipate.
Even if this is the first time you have ever been accused of any type of crime, it is important to have an experienced domestic violence lawyer by your side to protect your rights throughout the entire process. Conviction of domestic violence crimes not only carries potentially hash consequences, but can even an accusation that you committed domestic violence can have lasting consequences that can damage your reputation even if you are never convicted.
Schedule a Free Initial Consultation with a Skilled Defense Lawyer to Discuss Your Domestic Violence Charges Today
At the Davis Law Firm, LLC, we take all cases involving domestic violence seriously. We take the time to listen to all of the circumstances surrounding our potential clients’ cases, and will provide our experienced legal advice throughout the entire process. Call our offices, or fill out this secure online form, to schedule a free initial consultation with one of our experienced criminal defense and family law attorneys today. Our offices are conveniently located at 2653 Nottingham Way, Hamilton, NJ 08619.
Frequently Asked Questions About Mercer County Domestic Violence
Domestic violence cases typically involve accusations by current spouses, domestic partners, boyfriends or girlfriends, but a person with whom you had a previous relationship can also accuse you of domestic violence. The parent of your child or unborn child can bring a case involving domestic violence crimes against you, as can a current or former member of your household with whom you never had a romantic relationship (including current and former roommates).
The courts have broad discretion to include any number of different conditions in a restraining order, which are most typically used to prevent an alleged abuser from contacting the alleged victim. Restraining orders can also forbid the accused from possessing a weapon or firearm, and can prevent any type of communication between the alleged abuser and the alleged victim’s family. Temporary child support and child custody orders can be built into a TRO, and the order can also require the alleged abuser to pay any medical expenses incurred by the alleged victim because of the violence.
If you are charged with violating a restraining order in New Jersey, you can be charged with criminal contempt, which can result in a potential 18-month jail sentence and up to $25,000 in fines. The second conviction for violating a restraining order will result in a minimum 30-day jail sentence.