Westchester County Domestic Violence Defense Lawyer

Westchester County Domestic Violence Defense Attorney

Domestic violence is taken seriously and punished harshly in New York. A conviction could result in prison and expensive fines. If you have been accused of domestic violence, it is vital you enlist the support of a Westchester County domestic violence defense lawyer as soon as possible.

At Greco Neyland, we have an experienced team ready to represent and advocate for those accused of domestic violence. The accused deserve to have their constitutional rights respected and have the right to defend themselves against the accusations they face. We have vast experience defending cases of domestic violence and know how to craft a strong defense.

What Is Domestic Violence in Westchester County?

Domestic violence covers a broad spectrum of different forms of abuse. While these things are usually criminal activities on their own, what makes them domestic abuse is the relationship between the abuser and the abused. Often, domestic abuse will involve multiple charges.

While these are not the only forms of abuse that are classified as domestic violence, some of the more common forms include:

• Physical Abuse – Any form of hitting, kicking, strangling, restraining, or other forms of physical harm or injury could be considered physical abuse.
• Sexual Abuse – Sexual acts or activity without consent, forced, or coerced fall into the broad category of sexual abuse.
• Psychological or Emotional Abuse – A wide variety of behaviors can fall into this category, including threats, isolation, intimidation, and humiliation.
• Financial Abuse – Restricting access to money, causing financial harm, and other controlling of finances could be considered financial abuse.

What makes these things domestic violence and forms of domestic abuse is the relationship between those involved.

Generally, these relationships fall into three broad categories:

• Romantic and Intimate Partners – This category includes both current and former spouses as well as anyone who has a child together, regardless of whether or not they were ever married. It also includes those who have been involved in some form of romantic or dating relationship.
• Family – Those who are relatives by blood or marriage can be considered a domestic relationship, including parents, children, siblings, stepparents, stepchildren, and any other relatives who have lived together at some point.
• Members of a Household – Living in the same household is enough to consider a relationship as domestic under the law, even if there is no blood relationship or marriage relationship involved. This means roommates, both past and present, or anyone else who currently or has shared a living space in the past can be considered a domestic relationship.

What Are the Consequences of Domestic Violence Accusations in Westchester County?

One of the most immediate consequences of domestic violence is the issuance of protective orders by the court. These create a number of restrictions and requirements for the alleged abuser to not make contact with the other party, their family, children, and even pets. These orders are often issued well in advance of any kind of trial and sometimes without there being criminal charges.

These protective orders, along with any other domestic violence charges, will also have an impact on things like child custody and visitation if any children are involved. There is an opportunity to defend against these orders and accusations, although they happen quickly, so if you find out you have a hearing for protective orders, it’s critical that you get in contact with a Westchester County domestic violence attorney quickly.

Another significant consequence of domestic violence allegations is the element of criminal charges. These charges will usually relate to the nature of the alleged abuse. Depending on the conviction, they could carry a variety of different penalties, including court-ordered counseling and programs, fines, probation, and even prison time. It also means a criminal record. That could affect employment, education, credit, loans, or wherever a background check is required.

There are a number of broad effects on your life that can result from domestic violence accusations and convictions. It could adversely affect both your current employment and any future opportunities. In particular, it could create repercussions in your social life as well. Additionally, if you have children, there could be issues concerning child custody.

There is a strong stigma around domestic violence, and it could lead to guarded behavior and difficulty in building relationships with others. To give yourself a strong chance of avoiding these many issues, you will want to make sure that you work with an aggressive and talented Westchester County criminal defense lawyer at Greco Neyland.

What Should You Do if You Are Arrested for Domestic Violence in Westchester County?

If you find yourself arrested for a domestic violence incident in Westchester County, the most important thing that you can do is not make the circumstances worse. These situations are often full of emotions, and it can be difficult to remain calm. It’s critical, though, that you maintain composure. As frustrated or confused by the situation as you may be, expressing your anger will only make things worse. You could very easily say or do something that later may be used against you.

As hard as it may be, if you are arrested, your smartest option is to calmly go along and allow the system to work. There will be opportunities for your defense. When that time comes, your side will be heard. Talking yourself out of a domestic violence arrest at that moment will not be helpful to your case. You are more likely to avoid charges and even protective orders later by allowing the process to work. Contact a domestic violence attorney so they can speak for you.

You should be read your Miranda Rights, and you do have the right to remain silent. It is critical that you exercise that right. Not doing so could mean accidentally saying something that could be used against you in court. Remember that officers are trained to try and coax a confession from someone. What seems like a casual conversation could, in reality, be an attempt to get you to let your guard down. You are always better off saying nothing until a lawyer is present.

Lastly, you will want to make sure you get a hold of a Westchester County domestic violence lawyer, like Greco Neyland, as soon as you can. The sooner that they are involved, the sooner they will be able to begin the process of protecting your rights, investigating your case, and preparing for your defense.

Why Should You Hire a Westchester County Domestic Violence Lawyer?

There is a lot that a criminal defense lawyer can do to help those accused of domestic violence. Firstly, they can ensure that your rights are not violated. You always have a right against self-incrimination. A Westchester County criminal defense lawyer can help you assert those rights. You also have the right to a fair trial with a defense against the accusations and the prosecution being required to prove your guilt beyond a reasonable doubt. A criminal defense lawyer is critical to this process.

We often begin with a thorough investigation of the allegations against you and the circumstances that led to them. We will be looking for evidence that can be used to defend you and will begin crafting that defense as we are investigating the case. We will be trying to foresee how the prosecution will argue against you and identify the weakness in their claims.

When it comes to the judicial process, we act as both your representative and advocate. Throughout the process, we will fiercely advocate to see your rights upheld, including seeking the dismissal of questionable evidence or even the case as a whole if the proper grounds can be found. In court, we will challenge the prosecution’s case and offer a defense on your behalf. If necessary, our representation could continue through sentencing and even appeals.

We Can Defend You Against Accusations of Domestic Violence

Domestic violence does happen and is punished very harshly. A judge and a jury will want to be sure that those who are guilty face consequences. Given the nature of things like protection orders that involve vulnerable victims, it can feel like the deck is stacked against you if you’ve been accused of domestic violence. A good Westchester County domestic violence lawyer can help even the odds.

Because of the protections in place and the very personal nature of domestic violence, it can also be one of the most abused elements of criminal law. False accusations and exaggerations occur sometimes when people try to weaponize the system against each other. It’s important to realize that there is hope even if the situation feels overwhelming. You have rights, and you have the opportunity to be defended.

Mere accusations are not enough for you to be convicted, and the Westchester County domestic violence defense lawyers at Greco Neyland can put up a formidable defense on your behalf. Contact us today, and we can schedule a consultation to discuss your situation and how we can build a unique defense that fits your case.