If you or someone you know is a victim of family violence, it’s important to speak with an experienced family and domestic violence lawyer as soon as possible.
Victims can get compensation for costs related to medical treatment, loss of income, and obtaining child support. Additionally, they can obtain a restraining order to keep their abuser from contacting them again.
Representation of the Victim
Domestic violence victims often have a number of legal remedies they can pursue against their abuser. They may be able to file for a divorce, secure a protective order, seek lawful permanent status in the United States through the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA), or pursue criminal charges.
Having experience in domestic violence cases allows an attorney to assist a victim through all stages of the court process. This includes helping them find support services, gather documentation necessary for their case, and advocate for them during trial.
A lawyer must also be competent in understanding collateral legal issues and litigation that may affect their client’s case. This can include criminal cases involving domestic battery, juvenile court issues, or immigration matters that may impact your client’s immigration status.
At Mark Sherman Law, our in-house advocate Christine Bartlett has over 7 years of experience working in the Connecticut Domestic Violence Court system and is a dedicated resource for survivors and their children. She has been a vital part of the Firm’s ability to offer full array of victim advocacy services to our clients in this complex and emotional area of the law.
Representation of the Defendant
Defendants who have been arrested for family violence often need to hire a criminal defense lawyer. This is because domestic abuse can be a serious crime, and a defendant may face a variety of penalties from state law enforcement and court officials.
A family violence lawyer can help you understand your legal rights, and work to protect you from further harm. They can also explain the legal process and help you navigate the complexities of the criminal justice system.
In addition, a domestic violence lawyer can also help you with your personal safety plan. This can include creating a safety deposit box, removing your name from public files and records concerning the offense, and making sure that you have access to emergency medical care.
Many high-conflict cases in a family violence lawyer’s office involve two or more co-defendants. If there are any existing or potential conflicts, the lawyers must ask the trial court whether they would be able to represent all of the defendants jointly under Federal Rule of Criminal Procedure 44 (c).
Representation of the Children
Family violence is a highly complex and sensitive issue, and many a family law lawyer has been called to represent children who have been victims of abuse. These cases are among the most challenging in a family law attorney’s office, but they can also be very rewarding.
In New York State, there are a number of laws governing the representation of children in child abuse and neglect proceedings. Those laws address who may serve as the child’s representative (a guardian ad litem or a court-appointed special advocate), their qualifications, training, and compensation.
In recent years, a number of jurisdictions have worked to improve the quality of legal representation for parents/respondents in abuse and neglect cases. These improvements include a variety of measures, such as hiring of additional attorneys and/or lowering attorneys’ caseloads. In some jurisdictions, these improvements have resulted in better reunification outcomes. These efforts are based on the belief that better parental representation leads to higher levels of parental engagement and perceptions of fairness.
Representation of the Attorney
Many cases of domestic violence require the involvement of a family violence lawyer. They must guide clients through the complexities of the law and the court system.
As a result, these cases are often emotionally draining for both the client and the lawyer. They are often stressful and may involve many crises along the way.
A conviction for a domestic violence crime can have long-term implications for the client, and can make it difficult to get a job or rent an apartment. It can also lead to issues with licensure for teachers, hair stylists, realtors and medical professionals.
As a response to this need, a team of Connecticut attorneys began aggregating helpful information for families who find themselves entrenched in the criminal court system, either as arrestees or victims of domestic violence. It is their hope that this information will help victims of family abuse understand how to better advocate for themselves and their loved ones.