New York Domestic Violence Defense
Facing a domestic violence charge? Understand your rights and options early
After a family dispute, if the police get involved, someone is arrested or a court issues an order of protection, the case can affect your family life, your work and your immigration status.
We provide legal help to people facing domestic-violence-related criminal charges in New York, assessing the risks and building a defense based on the charge, the evidence and the court process.
Domestic-violence-related cases
Domestic violence cases can involve different offenses and facts, including:
- Assault: family disputes, physical altercations and injury allegations.
- Harassment / Aggravated Harassment: involving calls, texts, social media or other contact.
- Menacing: allegations of causing fear through words, conduct or a weapon.
- Criminal Obstruction of Breathing / Strangulation.
- Stalking.
- Criminal Contempt: allegations of violating court-ordered limits on contact, proximity or other conduct.
- Endangering the Welfare of a Child: where children were present or other related circumstances.
How a lawyer helps
Investigation and first appearance
Understanding what happened, explaining the process and your rights, and helping with police questioning, the first court appearance and release conditions.
Reviewing evidence and building the defense
Reviewing 911 records, body-camera video, photos, medical records, text messages and witness statements, and analyzing whether the evidence supports the charges.
Order of protection issues
Explaining exactly what the order requires and, depending on the case, assessing whether a modification can be requested, including housing, child exchanges and necessary contact.
Negotiation, motions and trial
Weighing a negotiated resolution, motions or trial based on the evidence and your goals.
What you can do after being charged
Keep complete texts, chat records, photos and other relevant material, and do not delete or alter evidence. Follow any order of protection the court has issued; if you need to retrieve belongings, contact your children or handle anything else, discuss the proper way with your lawyer first. Consider speaking with a lawyer before answering police questions or discussing what happened.
If anyone is in immediate physical danger, call 911.
Contact a New York domestic violence defense lawyer
Whether the case is at the investigation, arrest, court or trial stage, understanding the charge and the evidence early helps you make informed decisions.
Attorney Advertising. This page provides general information and is not legal advice about any specific case. Contacting us does not by itself create an attorney-client relationship; the handling attorney and scope of representation are set in a written engagement agreement.