If you have been a victim of domestic violence in the home, you might be thinking about taking advantage of the help available through a Seattle domestic violence attorney. In particular, you are probably concerned about retaining an attorney who will take your case with minimal expense and fight for the rights of your family. You might be researching lawyers on your own but might not be sure how to go about finding one that is right for you. Here are some tips that can make the process easier.
THROUGH THE AGENDA: One of the best ways to find out about a potential domestic violence attorney is to research local law enforcement officials and state law enforcement websites. These sources provide up-to-date information on which advocates are certified by the Washington State Bar Association, which means that they have passed the bar exam. While it is not uncommon for law enforcement to refer clients to an inappropriate professional, it is important to remain skeptical until further investigation has been conducted. Remember, it never hurts to call the police department and ask for their assistance.
EXPERIENCE: It is advisable that you seek out a domestic violence lawyer who has experience working with and for victims of domestic violence. Victims frequently have a variety of legal problems to face, including child custody and visitation, divorce, loss of income, insurance coverage, landlord/tenant issues, and other employment-related issues. Your abuser may also be facing criminal charges or civil suits. For these reasons, it can make a big difference if your attorney is a victim herself. In addition, it may be helpful to find an attorney who has worked successfully with and for people in similar situations.
ACADEMIC EXPERIENCE: As previously stated, victims of domestic violence in Seattle can benefit greatly from working with an experienced attorney who is familiar with the process. This includes not only specific cases but also crimes such as assault, burglary, sex crimes, battery, domestic violence misdemeanors, felonies, and other such offenses. Obtaining a free consultation will allow you to assess the attorney’s potential ability to fight for you. You should also consider whether your prospective Seattle domestic violence lawyer has filed cases similar to yours-this can provide valuable insight into his/her competency.
LEGAL REHABILITY: Victims should take time to research the various aspects of their Seattle attorney karimi & choose someone who is well-educated about domestic violence laws. As in any legal matter, good legal advice and representation are crucial to ensuring a positive outcome. If the prosecutor pursues an aggressive strategy against you, it can make it more difficult for you to mount a credible defense. Moreover, there is often a conflict between what you want as a client and what your defender may ultimately be inclined to do. If the former is unwilling to go the extra mile to protect your interests, you may want to hire a cheaper Seattle domestic violence attorney.
RESERVING A GROSS Misdemeanor: If charged with a gross misdemeanor (as defined in Washington DC), like spousal sexual assault, landlord tenant abuse, sexual abuse (for example, celestic assault, sexual harassment), theft, drug abuse, or voyeurism, your Seattle domestic violence attorney might advise you to plead “not guilty” so that the charges would be dropped, in addition to your fines (which can be quite high in themselves). This is referred to as a “contingency” in the law and will allow the prosecutor to avoid having to go forward with a trial so as not to incur too much financial expense. You should carefully consider your reasoning for wanting to plead “not guilty” before consulting an experienced Seattle criminal defense attorney.