Cases centered on domestic violence can often get very messy, and for the spouse accused of being the persecutor, the trial can feel very uncomfortable. The natural impulse of most people is to sympathize with the accuser, especially if the alleged victim is a woman and the accused is a man. However, there are two sides to every story, so if you are standing trial for domestic abuse, a good lawyer will make sure that you are represented fairly.
First of all, your lawyer will work with you to establish the legitimacy of the claim. If your spouse is lying, then it’s a he-said, she-said situation, but there are ways to lend more credibility to your argument. The lawyer will search for evidence to suggest that your spouse is not a trustworthy person. Getting him or her on the stand and asking questions to cause confusion and emotional outbursts can be effective if the situation has been the result of lies and manipulation.
If you did actually cause bodily injury to your spouse, it will be more of a challenge to avoid being convicted, but the key in this event is to show your side of the story. Your lawyer will delve into the circumstances surrounding the incident and try to demonstrate that what you did was out of self-defense or a reaction to strong provocation. Character witnesses on your behalf can be useful in demonstrating that you are not the monster that you are accused of being.
If you are the defendant in a domestic violence case, you need to be prepared for a bumpy ride, but that certainly doesn’t mean that you have no hope. If you truly are innocent, make sure to stand your ground. Once you admit to wrongdoing, the central question changes from whether you did anything criminal to why you did it, and it becomes much harder to gain the sympathies of the jury. Just because you have been accused, it does not mean that you will be found guilty. A good lawyer will use all of the available resources to ensure that you are able to return to your life.
If you have been accused of domestic violence, you will need a trusted and experienced attorney on your side. Contact the Law Office of Gary J. Natale today at 973-324-9711 for your free consultation.