There is nothing more devastating than discovering that you are being accused of domestic violence. This is especially true if the allegations are completely unfounded. Unfortunately, the law isn’t always on the side of those wrongfully accused and the courts in Oregon take domestic violence seriously.
There are several strategies a criminal defense lawyer may use in defending their client against these serious charges. These strategies include:
- Unintentional act: If the alleged victim’s injured were the result of an unintentional act or accident it would not meet the requirements of being domestic violence.
- Ulterior motives: Sometimes an alleged victim tries to spin an accident into a domestic violence case.
- Self-defense: In many domestic violence cases, the alleged abuser was actually acting in self-defense. An attorney will argue that the alleged assault was in reality their client trying to protect their own well-being.
- Revenge, false accusations: There are people who outright lie about an assault or injury that they allegedly suffered. Accusers who are lying tend to poke holes in their own arguments and a defense attorney will be able to introduce a huge element of reasonable doubt.
An attorney who specializes in criminal defense understands that their client is facing serious charges. A conviction can mean jail time, fines, lose the right to own firearms, lose custody of children, and a permanent criminal record. Law enforcement takes these charges seriously, and they immediately remove the accused abuser from the home and keep them from their children when charges are pending. An attorney can offer their client different strategies in defending them against these charges and protecting their future.