Are you searching for an experienced Shepherdsville attorney for criminal defense for domestic violence or restraining order violations? Whenever Kentucky law enforcement officers are called to the scene of a domestic disturbance, argument, or fight, they are usually required to take one of the parties involved into custody, regardless of what has happened or who might be at fault. The resulting allegations and criminal charges of domestic violence, assault, or physical abuse not only carry severe penalties, but they can also impact your life in many ways for years to come. Even if the other partner changes their mind or “recants” the allegations the next day, the prosecutor will most often continue to pursue domestic violence charges.
Domestic abuse or domestic violence charges can result in an order known as a Protective Order (often referred to commonly as a restraining order) that can prevent you from returning home. Protective orders usually require the “offender” to avoid communications with the opposing party (including in-person, phone, text, email, or U.S. mail), and not to attempt to use another person, friend, co-worker, or family member to deliver messages or intervene.
Domestic violence or restraining order violations in the immediate period before or during a divorce can affect child custody, visitation, and parenting time, as well as child support and marital property division. Those who are convicted of domestic violence, or who are under a protection order or restraining order, may find it difficult to find employment in the future, and may even experience more aggressive police tactics at a simple traffic stop, or investigation and restraint during travel outside of the United States.
My name is John Schmidt, and after more than 25 years of experience as an attorney based in Shepherdsville, I can tell you it is imperative to have an experienced Shepherdsville attorney for criminal defense for domestic violence or restraining order violations. Civil and misdemeanor violations carry exposure to fines and even the potential for up to 1 year in jail. Felony criminal convictions for aggravated assault arising out of a domestic dispute can result in a prison sentence of 10 to 25 years as well as up to $10,000 in fines.
Protective orders in Kentucky can result from many allegations, including:
- The Abuse of a Child
- Spousal abuse
- Sexual abuse or assault, including rape
- Actions or assault resulting in physical injury to a spouse, housemate, or child
- Property destruction
- Threats against a spouse, boyfriend, girlfriend, or child
- Stalking, or threats related to a former lover, friend, co-worker, or household/family member
There are many factors the can affect the outcome of your defense including past (false) accusations made against you, current child custody or divorce proceedings, mental instability, the use of alcohol and/or drugs, the past records of those involved and the contributing behaviors and actions which may have led to the allegations at hand.
If you have been arrested, charged, or face a protective order hearing, you will need to take immediate action to prepare and mount a substantial criminal defense for domestic violence or restraining order violations. It is important to contact our office so that we can begin to investigate what has happened immediately. The Law Offices of John Schmidt & Associates has more than 25 years of experience in civil and criminal proceedings and trials protecting the rights of the people of Shepherdsville, Mount Washington, Shelbyville, Taylorsville, Radcliff, Elizabethtown, Jeffersontown, or Louisville, Kentucky, and the surrounding counties and communities. We will investigate the claims and motives of the person making the accusations against you and any circumstances or events that contributed to the situation to protect your rights and interests.
We invite you to contact us via e-mail, schedule an appointment or call us today at (502) 509-1490 to get the advice and aggressive criminal defense you need and deserve. At the Law Offices of John Schmidt & Associates we bring more than 25 years of experience to your side of the equation, manage the situation you face and the allegations against you, and work hard to achieve a much better outcome in your case than you can or will accomplish on your own.
