Domestic violence charges are devastating, and whether you are guilty or not, you need a domestic assault lawyer Toronto to help you through the case. Thinking that you don’t need one because you are innocent is wrong since there are many things involved in this kind of offense that you may not know.
Criminal courts are not sympathetic and you can be charged guilty even without committing the crime. Domestic violence charges are complex, and they need the expertise of a qualified domestic assault lawyer.
1. What Happens If The Court Finds You Guilty Of The Offence?
Domestic violence offenders lose their jobs and can also lose access to their families. You can also be banned from immigrating. Worse still, you can be jailed. Although you can self-represent yourself in court, this is a risky decision and we recommend that you hire a domestic assault lawyer Toronto.
2. What Is Domestic Violence
Domestic violence does not apply to one offense, but it is a name covering many crimes that happen in a domestic setting. The setting includes a romantic partner, child, or relative. Domestic offenders can be reported because of using force, threats, or sexual abuse to the mentioned parties.
The court takes domestic violence very seriously, and the offenders can face severe charges. Once you report an offender to the police, they immediately arrest them and start investigations. You cannot stop the police from laying charges or arresting the offender, and withdrawing the charges in court is a long process that is not guaranteed.
3. The Complainant Does Not Choose The Charges
Once the victim reports the case to the police, they do not have the power to choose or stop the charges. The officer carries on a mandatory charge depending on the intensity of the crime the offender committed.
In some cases, both participants can face charges, but this is rare. It happens when the police cannot identify the dominant aggressor. The attorney decides whether to continue or drop the charges. There is also a policy of getting public interest on whether or not to proceed with the charges.
4. The Order Of No-Contact
One of the expected consequences a person charged with domestic violence can face is the non-communication order. The attorney can impose this rule on the offender if they are released on bail or by the police.
The offender is banned from going to their house or being around their family until a ruling is made. Sometimes complainants can ask for a change of the order or withdraw the case, which is almost impossible.
5. Why You Should Hire A Lawyer
Getting a domestic assault lawyer Toronto to help you with your domestic assault case increases your chances of winning the case or getting lighter charges. Your lawyer will argue on your bail terms, which can prevent you from going to jail to wait for the trial.
Domestic lawyers are also experienced and know the possible outcomes of your case. This helps them find and use better strategies to negotiate with the judge.