Harrisburg Domestic Violence Attorney

Domestic Violence Defense in York

Most commonly, when people think of domestic violence, they think of a fight between two people involved in a romantic relationship.  At some point in our lives, most of us have been involved in a romantic  relationship.  In fact, many people formalize that commitment through marriage - "for better or for worse."

If you have ever been involved in a committed or dating relationship, you may understand why the commitment of marriage is made with the oath of "for better or for worse."  Like life itself, relationships can experience ups and downs, highs and lows.  At times, it may seem that the lows outnumber the highs.  It is in these times where tensions and emotions may erupt and a verbal argument may turn into a physical altercation.  Where physical confrontations arise, the police often become involved.

Over the years, public perception concerning domestic violence has changed.  Awareness has risen.  Special interests groups have offered an echoing voice for victims of domestic violence.  Consequently, laws and enforcement of those laws have become increasingly stringent.  Now, officers responding to a report of domestic violence are left with little discretion in how to handle these allegations.  Typically, at least one party involved in the incident will be placed under arrest.  Depending on the nature and severity of the allegations, a person involved in a domestic dispute could be directly charged with simple assault, harassment, terroristic threats, recklessly endangering another person, or aggravated assault. 

Domestic Violence and Criminal Charges

Criminal charges may also arise separate from the conduct towards the primary victim in the case.  For example, police may search the home incident to their investigation and uncover the illegal possession of weapons or drugs.  Additionally, if children are present at the time of the domestic altercation, a person could potentially be charged with endangering welfare of children.

Domestic Violence Charges Cannot be Reversed

Certainly, where a verbal argument erupts into a physical response, emotions and tensions are high.  Often times, when police immediately respond to these incidents, emotions are still high and the parties involved want repercussions for the perceived harm they sustained.  However, after the heat of the moment subsides, time passes, and emotions cool, people will often want to reconcile. 

Unfortunately, once the police have become involved and charges have been filed, time cannot be turned back and what has been done cannot be automatically undone.  Even if the victim chooses not to pursue criminal action, it is out of the victim's hands and solely within the discretion of the prosecution as to how they will proceed, which only further complicates a relationship that already needed mended.

Your Case is Unique and We Focus on Your Individual Situation

At Colgan & Associates, LLC, we understand alleged acts of domestic violence are not necessarily committed by inherently bad people.  We understand that good people sometimes make poor choices that can lead to potentially life -altering consequences.  This is particularly true in instances of domestic violence where deep-seeded emotions are often in play.  As a result, the context of the situation usually and similarly runs deeper than what may appear on the surface.

We understand the interplay of all these competing variables that can be present in your case.  For this reason, we provide committed and personalized representation to you.  Being charged with a crime of domestic violence can have a stigmatizing effect.  Through a systematic and strategic approach, we will work with you to remove the stigma and re-humanize you throughout the criminal justice process.

Experience Matters When the Stakes are High

If you have been charged with a domestic violence crime, you could face significant penalties including, but not limited to, prison, probation, loss of your right to possess a firearm, and no contact with the victim.  Any one of these consequences could have far reaching implications on your life.  They could make a marriage or relationship worth saving irreconcilable.  You could lose your job.  You could lose your freedom.  We understand the burden these risks present to the person facing them, which is why we will work with you to put you in the best position at the end of the day.  Our goal is to make sure that the charges you face do not destroy your life.  With our help, we want you to be able to look back at the conclusion of your case and be able to see the entire ordeal as a mere speed bump, as opposed to a road block, in the rest of your life.

Contact a domestic violence defense attorney  at the firm today to learn more about how we can help you.