Domestic Violence

Dallas Domestic Violence

Domestic violence involves abuse within the family household environment, often between spouses or boyfriend and girlfriend. The term “spousal abuse” has gained notoriety in recent years.  

Victims of domestic violence in the US have reached staggering annual numbers:

• 1.3 million women
• 835,000 men

Domestic violence abuse can take different forms:

• Physical
• Emotional
• Psychological
• Sexual
• Financial
• Implied Threats
• Overt Actions

Unfortunately, when domestic violence abuse occurs in a family, everyone in that family is impacted. It often affects the children as much or more than the actual abused adults because children model their parents’ behavior as they grow up. Most grown adults who are domestic violence abusers and victims, in fact, were witnesses to their own parents’ abusive interactions when they were children.

If you have been arrested for and charged with domestic violence in the Dallas area, you will need effective and experienced legal representation from a Dallas criminal defense attorney who specializes in domestic abuse cases. Call our offices for a free consultation to discuss your case. Find out the legal challenges that you are facing.

Domestic Violence: Gender Profiling and “The Defenseless Person” Syndrome”

One of the common problems in domestic violence cases is that the mere accusation of violence by one of the parties of the relationship casts a negative light on the alleged abuser, despite the truth of the matter. When a domestic dispute arises, the police are often called by the alleged victim. The officer will take testimony from both of the parties and from available witnesses. If there are any physical marks on the accusing party, the accused is more than likely to get arrested immediately – despite the truth of the matter. The police tend to heavily favor the wife or girlfriend’s testimony, despite the facts of the situation

Nevertheless, males are frequently “gender-profiled” by the police. In truth, however, the altercation may have been orchestrated by the female or male to shed a negative light on the other. This may be in order to influence present or future proceedings pertaining to their divorce and/or child custody actions.  If you have been unfairly charged in a domestic violence case, you must obtain solid legal counsel and mount a proactive defense. Depending on the results of your case, court sanctions may be imposed as to the amount of time you may spend with your children, and the conditions under which you may see them. You may be required to see them only under the supervision of a court-approved counselor – and you will have to pay for that, as well.

Obtain the skilled legal representation of a Dallas criminal defense attorney who specializes in domestic violence cases. The issues are complex. As the saying goes, “only a fool represents himself.” 

Domestic Violence Example: Boyfriend and Girlfriend

In one altercation, a boyfriend and girlfriend had a screaming match that escalated into a physical altercation. The girlfriend repeatedly tried to strike the boyfriend, and, in self defense, he grabbed her hands so she could not strike him. She did not hurt him – and he did not hurt her - but when the police arrived, she claimed that he restrained her against her will! She denied that she repeatedly attempted to strike him. There were no physical marks on either party. There was a third party in the house who heard the screams but did not see the altercation. The boyfriend was arrested and charged with a domestic violence offense. The court ordered a restraining order against the male. Soon thereafter he violated the terms of the restraining order. Eventually the case was resolved but he has a criminal record and it may interfere with his plans or affect his future in various ways:

• Employment opportunities
• Credit and loan applications
• Housing rentals or purchases
• College scholarships, loans and grants may be repealed
• Criminal record casts a negative light in the event of future arrests