If you are arrested for domestic violence charges in Savannah, it can have a serious impact on your future. These types of charges will follow you for the rest of your life and may even prevent you from traveling outside the country or renting an apartment.
If you’re arrested for domestic violence, it doesn’t necessarily mean that you’re guilty. In fact, false domestic violence accusations are common. That being said, once the police begin to investigate a case, they may discover evidence that points toward your guilt. Therefore it is important to get a good criminal defense lawyer immediately and let them protect you and your rights. Here are the penalties you face if you’re convicted of domestic violence in Savannah.
Fines and Jail Time
Georgia takes acts of domestic violence seriously and will punish crimes committed against children and spouses and romantic partners by family members more severely than crimes committed against strangers.
For example, if a stranger beats up another person, he may get arrested and go to prison for that assault; however, if a husband beats up his wife, that is considered family violence and he would be punished more harshly. So, an assault that would normally be considered just a misdemeanor can become a felony if committed by someone who has a domestic relationship with the victim. The potential fine is up to $5,000.00 with a maximum prison term of 12 months.
A first domestic violence misdemeanor conviction is punishable by up to one year in county jail and/or a $1,000 fine. If the defendant has been convicted of domestic violence more than once, they could be charged with a felony offense and face up to five years in state prison.
Loss of Parental Visitation or Custody
A conviction for domestic violence may play a role when a Family Court decides child custody. If convicted, you may be denied visitation or joint custody of your child. If there are multiple convictions, especially if they involve violent acts against the same family member, a judge may award sole custody to one parent.
Future Employment Can Be Affected
If you are convicted of domestic violence, you can lose your job or be denied employment opportunities. Often employers are just as disgusted by domestic violence acts as the state of Georgia. Employers may consider your past conviction to be a red flag and think there is a risk in hiring you.
Fighting False Accusations
False allegations of abuse are one of the most frustrating things to deal with. Some accusations are exaggerated to gain an advantage in the divorce or custody case. Soon to be exes may also bring false charges just to be vindictive. When a couple is breaking up or divorcing, they may find themselves in heated arguments and one partner may accuse the other of domestic violence. These accusations need to be nipped in the bud or it can lead to criminal charges.
To fight these false claims, it is important to hire an experienced criminal defense attorney who has can deal with this type of situation. Your family law attorney may not have the expertise to defend you against criminal charges.
Will My Charges Go Away If My Accuser Drops Domestic Violence Charges?
In general, prosecutors are not likely to dismiss charges just because the victim wants to change their mind. Instead, the prosecutor usually investigates why the victim wants to drop charges to see whether their reason makes sense.
Prosecutors may also consider the circumstances surrounding the incident, such as how long ago the crime occurred, whether the victim received medical attention, and whether the victim was threatened or coerced into dropping charges. Again, you will want a criminal defense attorney like the attorneys of the Phillips Carson Phillips law firm in Savannah when you are charged with domestic violence.
Contact a Top Savannah Criminal Defense Attorney Today
If you are facing domestic violence charges, the consequences may seem terrifying. Domestic violence is a serious crime that can have lasting repercussions on your personal and professional life.
Depending on the nature of your case, you may be at risk of serving time in jail or paying a substantial fine or losing custody to your children. Considering the potential consequences, getting an smart, skillful defense attorney who can help you understand your rights and advocate on your behalf is critical.
The attorneys at Phillips Carson Phillips pride themselves on working so that you achieve the best possible outcome in your case. If you have been arrested for domestic violence in the Savannah area, contact Phillips Carson Phillips. Schedule a consultation by calling (912) 232-0081 or use our online contact form to tell us about your case.