Utah Assault and Battery Lawyer
Domestic violence charges can be brought by a person you live with — a boyfriend or girlfriend, husband or wife, brother or sister. This criminal charge can be brought for an action as insubstantial as blocking someone's exit or grabbing someone's wrist. But it can also result from slapping or kicking someone, or hitting someone with a thrown object.
The reasons for domestic disputes are usually not as black and white as they at first appear. The accused may not be as guilty or the accuser as innocent. Many times a domestic violence situation is the result of months or years of provocation and name-calling and a "perpetrator" who has been verbally abused finally snaps.
These mitigating circumstances need to be shared with the prosecutor, but let your lawyer do the talking, rather than you. Too often well-intentioned people hurt their own case by trying to defend themselves. Do not talk to the police until you have talked to us.
At the law office of Greg Smith & Associates, we work hard to protect our clients' rights and defense options when they face criminal charges for domestic violence. That work can begin immediately after you hire us. Contact our Salt Lake City domestic violence attorneys online or call 801-924-4934 or toll free 888-708-8867.
A Domestic Violence Conviction Can Change Your Life
A domestic violence charge or conviction will appear on your criminal record where employers, landlords and others can see it. If a protection order has been issued against you, you will have to abide by a number of restrictions. Learn more about the consequences of a protection order.
We will defend you against domestic violence charges such as:
- Domestic assault
- Domestic violence in the presence of children
- Stalking
- Child abuse
- Reckless endangerment of a child
We defend people in initial protection order proceedings and if they have been charged with violating a protection order.
Working to Get Charges Dismissed or Reduced
In many domestic violence cases, we can negotiate with prosecutors to get your charges reduced or even dropped. There may also be alternative sentencing options like probation along with counseling for alcoholism or drug abuse or taking anger management classes.
Expunging a Domestic Violence Conviction
If you were previously convicted of a domestic violence charge, it may be possible to have that conviction cleared from your record by the process of expungement. In addition to convictions, we may also be able to help expunge records in Utah of charges for which you were never convicted.
You can count on our firm for a strong defense. We regularly advise other attorneys on critical issues in criminal law. Our legal insights and opinions have also been aired on Good Morning America (twice) and printed in national newspapers such as USA Today.
Contact an Experienced Utah Sexual Battery Lawyer
A domestic violence charge does not have to ruin your life and your future. Contact an SLC assault attorney at Greg Smith and Associates for a free initial consultation. We protect the rights of clients accused of domestic violence in Salt Lake City, Provo, Orem, Park City and surrounding communities in Utah.
Free Consultations • 24 Hours a Day, Seven Days a Week
Clients with disabilities or impairments
Access to our office is available to clients and their family members at all times. Special equipment and communication devices are available upon request for our clients with visual, hearing, speech and physical impairment. In addition, arrangements can be made for verbal or sign language interpreters if needed to communicate between our attorneys and the client and family. Please notify our law office if any additional accommodations related to your disability or impairment are necessary to make your consultation more comfortable.
