Boston Domestic Violence Lawyers

Providing Aggressive Representation For Clients In Suffolk County

In the state of Massachusetts, domestic violence is one of the most common charges that is filed. Whether it is a small argument that leads to a call to the police or a heated argument that results in someone being hurt, the state does not take these charges lightly.

In many situations, when someone is stirred up in an argument and is actually innocent, the other party may lie to get them in trouble. In fact, it does not matter whether you committed the crime. If the police are called out, they will have no choice but to arrest you and bring you to jail.

This is when you need a skilled Boston domestic violence attorney to defend you and guide you through the complicated legal system. At Toland Law, LLC, we have helped many clients accused of these crimes have their charges thrown out or reduced, and our legal team is ready to fight for you.

Because we are known in the community as tenacious advocates for our clients, we have been asked many questions about domestic violence charges. Here are some of the most common inquiries we have received:

What is considered a domestic violence charge?
What are the penalties for domestic violence?
What if you are charged with domestic violence and are not a U.S. citizen?
How can an attorney help with domestic violence charges?

Our legal team is ready and able to answer your questions and provide the best domestic violence defense. We’ll leverage our knowledge, dedication, and skills to give you the best chance at avoiding a domestic violence conviction. Contact our Boston domestic violence lawyers immediately at 857-347-3701 to learn how we can help.

What Is Considered A Domestic Violence Charge?

Domestic violence is abuse that happens between two individuals who are in any of the following relationships:

Marriage
Family member
Roommates
Dating
LGBT couples

Domestic violence can come in different forms of abuse, including:

Physical abuse – This is the most apparent form of domestic violence and includes the physical abuse of another via hitting, pushing, throwing objects, etc.
Emotional abuse – Also known as psychological or mental abuse. This involves humiliating, controlling, or isolating a victim in an effort to make them feel ashamed. It can also involve blackmailing a victim or threatening to harm them if they try to leave.
Verbal abuse – This involves using threatening and harmful language to diminish the character of the victim.
Economic abuse – This involves one person in the relationship having control of the other person’s finances, including limiting their access or exploiting their resources in an effort to hinder someone’s ability to take care of themselves.
Sexual abuse – This involves using force to get the victim to engage in unwanted sexual activity. It doesn’t matter if the victim is in a current relationship or was in a past relationship with the abuser. Any sexual activity that is against the will of another is considered sexual abuse. Sexual abuse also occurs when someone attempts to engage in sexual behavior with someone unable to consent (i.e., under the influence or unable to communicate unwillingly).

Understanding your criminal charges is often the first step to defending yourself in a domestic violence case. However, Massachusetts law can be complicated and confusing. Our Boston domestic violence lawyers have the experience and legal understanding to protect you against a conviction for domestic abuse. Reach out to us right away to schedule a free consultation.

What Are The Penalties For Domestic Violence?

If you are convicted of domestic violence, there are a multitude of penalties you may face. You could be sentenced to jail time, forced to pay hefty fines, and required to participate in mandatory intervention programs. Your domestic abuse charge may result in heavier consequences if the crime involved a child, a deadly weapon, or was a repeat offense.

The extent of these penalties will depend on the circumstances of your case and can include:

Time in jail or prison
Court fees
Probation
Attendance at a batterer’s intervention program
And much more.

Aside from the legal consequences, your personal and professional reputation will also be at stake. You will have trouble finding or keeping a job, finding housing, and even finding a new partner in the future.

When you work with a qualified attorney from Toland Law, LLC, our goal is to help you avoid these consequences. That is why it is essential to contact our office as soon as possible. Call our experienced criminal defense attorneys today to start building a defense that minimizes your sentencing.

What If You Are Charged With Domestic Violence and Are Not a U.S. Citizen?

If you are charged with domestic violence and are not a U.S. citizen, the stakes are even higher. Depending on the circumstances of your offense, your charges may lead to deportation if they fall under “crimes of moral turpitude” or “aggravated felonies.”

When someone is booked for a crime or arrested, their fingerprints are run through a criminal background check and are sent to the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI). If you are a non-citizen, your fingerprints are sent to ICE, and they will determine whether your deportation is imminent.

Even if ICE does not immediately arrest you, if you file for a green card renewal or U.S. citizenship, you will have to submit your fingerprints, and any charges and convictions will show up. At Toland Law, LLC, we have experience helping clients with both their criminal and immigration matters. If you fall into this category, we will help you have a fighting chance at avoiding a conviction and deportation.

With so much at stake, you shouldn’t go through this alone. To learn more about this topic, check out our blog on how domestic violence is handled in Massachusetts. You can also contact us for a free consultation and to get assistance in fighting your domestic violence offense. Our legal team can help protect your immigration status by fighting your domestic abuse charges.

How Can An Attorney Help With Domestic Violence Charges?

Domestic violence cases are serious offenses that should not be taken lightly. With the various penalties and consequences of a domestic violence conviction, you should act now to build a strong defense in your favor. You should also act quickly to find a domestic violence lawyer you can trust to defend you.

When you hire us to fight your domestic violence charges, we will work diligently to see if your victim had any ulterior motives, provided false accusations, or reached out to law enforcement simply out of revenge. We’ll conduct a thorough investigation to uncover evidence that proves the allegations were false or that you do not deserve the maximum sentencing.

Some legal defenses we can use in your domestic violence offense include:

The alleged victim did not suffer emotional or physical harm.
You acted in self-defense.
Your actions were the result of defending another person.
Law enforcement violated your rights during the arrest or investigation.
The other person is not a household member.
You were acting under duress or threat.

If the victim was involved in the fight, started the altercation, or fought back, they may be able to assert their Fifth Amendment rights against self-incrimination and will not be able to testify. In this state, it is difficult to convict someone of domestic violence if the victim cannot testify.

Our team of criminal defense attorneys understands how Massachusetts courts work and knows how to navigate these complex criminal cases. We’ll employ every strategy we have to minimize the impact of your criminal charges on your life.

Speak With One Of The Top Domestic Violence Law Firms In Boston, MA

If you have been accused of a domestic violence crime, you need a qualified criminal defense attorney on your side to fight for your rights tenaciously. At Toland Law, LLC, we offer years of experience and always take an aggressive approach to every case that we handle. Because each case is unique, our attorneys will thoroughly investigate the details of your case and present your best legal options.

Our goal is always to have your charges dismissed. If that is not possible, we will fight to have them reduced. We will leave no stone unturned as we search for evidence that backs up your version of events and gives you the best chance at a favorable outcome.

We have helped countless clients over the decades of our legal practice. Our legal team understands the Massachusetts criminal justice system, and we will be your fierce allies as we confront this difficult situation. If your criminal case intersects with immigration law, threatening your immigration status, we are the attorneys you want on your side.

To learn more about how we can help you, schedule a consultation with Toland Law, LLC. You can reach us by phone at 857-347-3701 or fill out the contact form on our website.