5 Things To Do If You Have A Domestic Violence Charge Levied Against You

A domestic violence accusation will likely land you in jail, but as long as you are not considered a flight risk there is the option of paying bail so you can be released until your court dates. The following are a few things to keep in mind if you find yourself in this situation.

1. Don't Tie Up Your Cash

The court proceedings and restructuring of one's life following a domestic violence accusation can be costly, so you don't want to have your life's savings tied up in a bail bond. Borrowing the bail from a bondsman keeps your cash freed up for other legal and daily living costs. If you don't break bail, you will only have to pay the bail fee and not the entire bond.

2. Keep Your Distance

Although you may be innocent of the charges, it's wise to avoid any behaviors that can be misconstrued as threatening or harassing to the accuser. Stay with friends or family, or in a rented room, especially if there is a restraining order in place. Do not attempt to contact the person without going through your lawyer, and do not bother them or their associates in person or on social media. Breaking a restraining order can put your bail bond at risk. 

3. Consider Counseling 

Seeking out counseling is not an admittance of guilt. Any type of family trauma, which a domestic violence charge qualifies is reason enough to seek professional treatment. Further, being in counseling shows you are both not a flight risk and that you are being proactive on your own account to make sure the situation never occurs again, which helps you look better in the eyes of the court. 

4. Fulfill Your Responsibilities

In many cases, those on opposing sides of a domestic violence charge will no longer be speaking directly to each other but instead, all communication may be going through their legal teams. Not speaking to your accuser is no reason to shirk any responsibilities, though. Continue to pay any shared bills and make sure that you pay your share of any childcare costs in order to avoid any negative reactions from the court.

5. Meet All Court Dates

The surest way to suffer the full penalty of the law and end up owing your bail bondsman is to skip required court dates. Your lawyer will supply you with every court date along with the expectations for each one. Make sure to arrive on time, dressed nicely, and with all required documentation. Failure to do so could find you in breach of bail, which comes with jail time and you'll owe your original bond to the bondsman it was borrowed from. 

Contact a company like U.S. Bonding Co. for more help if you or a loved one finds themselves in this situation.