New Jersey Domestic Violence Attorneys
Defending Against Charges of Domestic Violence in NJ
A domestic violence charge is a serious criminal offense with serious consequences. You may also be accused of having violated a restraining order when you committed the alleged act, which raises an additional charge of criminal contempt. With so much on line, where do you turn for legal assistance? With the right legal team on your side, help for domestic violence charges is available.
With so many serious legal issues involved, immediately seek the guidance of a domestic violence lawyer at Garces, Grabler & LeBrocq if you or a loved one has been charged. Our attorneys have vast experience defending those of accused of domestic violence, offering hard-hitting representation to clients throughout New Jersey.
What is domestic violence?
Domestic violence in NJ is a criminal act that occurs when someone commits certain crimes against a person protected under the Prevention of Domestic Violence Act of 1991 (PDVA). Those crimes are:
- Homicide
- Assault
- Terroristic threats
- Kidnapping
- Criminal restraint
- False imprisonment
- Sexual assault
- Criminal sexual contact
- Lewdness
- Criminal mischief
- Burglary
- Criminal trespass
- Harassment
- Stalking
The PDVA was passed to ensure that these crimes are not treated less seriously by the justice system simply because the parties have, or had, a domestic relationship.
Who is protected under the PDVA?
PDVA protects anyone 18 or older, or an emancipated minor, who has been subjected to domestic violence by:
- A spouse or ex-spouse
- A roommate or ex-roommate
- A girlfriend or boyfriend
- A person with whom he or she shares a child, whether born or still in utero
- Anyone with whom he or she now lives, or formerly lived
The PDVA also covers abuse and neglect of the elderly and disabled. The gender of the parties is not a factor.
Under the PVDA, if you are accused of domestic violence in NJ a police officer must arrest you if:
- The person making the complaint shows signs of injury
- The officer has reason to believe that an act of domestic violence was committed, even if there are no outward signs of it
- The officer has reason to believe that a weapon was involved
- Either party violated a restraining order by being there
Contact an attorney right away if you are charged with domestic violence in NJ
Founded in 1991, Garces, Grabler & LeBrocq is a full-service, diversified, and multi-lingual law firm that represents clients in New Jersey, New York, and Pennsylvania. Our criminal defense and lawyers for domestic violence provide aggressive legal representation with proven results.
If you need help for domestic violence charges in New Jersey, our domestic violence lawyers serve all communities including Mercer, Monmouth, Middlesex, Essex, and Union Counties.
Call us today at 1-800-923-3456, or fill out our online contact form to speak with our lawyers for domestic violence.