Being charged with domestic assault is a serious and complicated matter. And with the myriad of variables at play in such a situation, you’ll need assistance to guide you through the process. That’s where a domestic assault lawyer in Calgary can be of value. Roulston Urquhart Criminal Defence is a Calgary criminal law firm that houses seasoned domestic offence lawyers.
With over 4 decades of courtroom experience, you can feel confident knowing you’re in good hands. However, if you’ve been charged with domestic assault, it’s important to arm yourself with the right information.
Keep reading to learn more about domestic violence charges and how a domestic offence criminal lawyer can help you.
Domestic Assault Specifics
Did you know that if the police respond to a domestic assault call, charges are going to be pressed? Moreover, police policy now decrees that anybody hit with a domestic offence charge is not allowed to contact the victim or come back to the residence where the incident occurred.
A common misunderstanding about domestic assault charges is that the victim can just ask to drop the charges. This is inaccurate. When any form of domestic assault is reported to the police and charges are pressed, the alleged victim no longer has the authority to revoke said charges.
At this point, it is now up to the Crown to handle the criminal prosecution. This entails that only the prosecutor has the final call about dropping the charges or moving forward with the prosecution.
The Many Faces of Domestic Violence
Domestic violence doesn’t always refer to physical assault. There are many variations that qualify as domestic violence. And by understanding what they are, you’ll have a better grasp on the type of behaviours and codes of conduct that are unacceptable, according to the law.
Here is a small list of the many faces of domestic violence:
- Physical assault (grabbing, pushing, biting, slapping, hitting, shoving, stabbing. burning, etc)
- Aggravated assault
- Sexual violence
- Murder
- Threats of any kind
- Emotional abuse
Domestic violence can be considered as any form of unwanted physical, mental, psychological, or emotional abuse within the confines of an intimate relationship.
And the relationship is not limited to a romantic association either. It can also include a parent-child relationship, a sibling relationship, marriage, common law, etc.
3 Ways a Domestic Offence Lawyer Can Help You
While the majority of experienced lawyers are more than capable of managing a domestic assault case, the end result will – more often than not – be the byproduct of the lawyer you select to represent you.
But with that in mind, here are just a few ways a Calgary domestic offence lawyer can help you:
1. Avoiding a Criminal Record and Jail Time
Neither a criminal record nor jail time is an outcome that works in your favour. And the fact of the matter is, if you’re facing an assault charge, these outcomes are a realistic possibility.
And if they come to fruition, it could impact you for many years – or even the rest of your life. A criminal record makes it extremely difficult to find a job, you may be permanently banned from entering certain countries or from leaving your own, etc.
Our domestic offence lawyers can help you avoid these results by working with you to clear your name and get your life back together.
2. Infringements of the Charter of Rights and Freedoms
Most people aren’t aware of their charter rights. As such, police have been known to violate these rights by performing such acts as searching cars without permission, not allowing you to speak with an attorney, etc.
We can attempt to exclude self-incriminating evidence via an application of the Charter of Rights and Freedoms. This is the step to be taken if your Charter Rights have been infringed upon at any point during the prosecution.
3. Disputing Events
When you break it down, a domestic assault case is primarily a game of credibility. There is a lot of speculation that needs solid ground to stand on in order to hold up in court.
With this being the case, our domestic offence lawyers will exercise their experience and expertise to dispute the events on your behalf.
We essentially work as an advocate for your trustworthiness.
Conclusion
A domestic assault charge is not something to be taken lightly. If not handled properly, it can have countless negative implications for your future. For this reason, you must arm yourself with the guidance and expertise of an experienced domestic offence lawyer.
At Roulston Urquhart Criminal Defence, we house a team of expert lawyers committed to defending you assertively and strategically. Contact us today for a free consultation.
