Oregon law requires the police to arrest someone when they are called to a domestic disturbance if certain circumstances are present. Once an arrest is made, aggressive prosecutors who specialize in obtaining domestic violence convictions may bring criminal charges. If you have been accused of domestic violence by the state, take these charges very seriously and do not contact the alleged victim. The best advice is usually to remain silent until you talk to an experienced criminal defense attorney.

A conviction for domestic violence charges can permanently effect on your legal rights. Thus, depending on the facts, it may be better to seek dismissal through trial rather than to plea bargain. Consequences of conviction or entering a guilty plea may include:

There are many possible criminal charges for domestic violence. The two most common are:

Domestic violence laws are strictly enforced, but not all instances of domestic violence are the same. Your defense attorney should craft a strategy to protect your rights based on the unique facts of your case. This means you want a lawyer who will listen to your story and hit the street to uncover evidence and talk with witnesses who may help your case. Domestic violence charges may be more likely to be dismissed than some other criminal charges.

Sometimes charges result from exaggerated or false statements of an alleged victim. If you are on the receiving end of false allegations, you need an attorney you can communicate with to help you turn the tables on the false accuser. If false accusations were made to gain advantage in a child custody proceeding, for example, showing the fabrication may undermine the accuser’s credibility in the custody matter or enable modification of custody if the has matter concluded.

Whatever the underlying situation, if you are facing domestic violence charges, you need an attorney who will take the time to listen to you, follow leads to uncover evidence, and explain the often-confusing process so that your legal rights are protected.

Brett Hall has practiced law in Portland for over a decade. He has extensive experience in defending domestic violence charges and has also handled many contentious family law cases (including divorce and custody). He understands that domestic violence charges may be part of ongoing problems in a contentious relationship. He can help you to defend against the criminal charges you face, and he may also be able to help you protect your rights in related civil matters.