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Virginia Domestic Violence Questions & Answers
1 Answer | Asked in Domestic Violence for Virginia on
Q: What happens when someone is charged with a domestic felony?

I had spoke to an officer and told her what happened that night, not knowing she could serve a warrant without having a statement, pictures, or a nurses documentation. What will happen?

Susan Fremit
Susan Fremit
answered on Feb 12, 2018

There is a statement: what you told the police officer. Usually a domestic assault is a misdemeanor, not a felony. If this is a first time offense, the family member can complete the first offender program for a dismissal or go to trial to fight the charge.

2 Answers | Asked in Criminal Law and Domestic Violence for Virginia on
Q: My son's father was arrested for hitting me while I am pregnant with our second baby.Will I have to testify in front him

This is the second time we've been in court for this, the first time was in Virginia Beach and I dropped the charges. This time it's in Chesterfield and I had bruises on my face from him and the bedroom door was broken because of him. Police also heard a little bit because I called them... View More

Susan Fremit
Susan Fremit
answered on Feb 10, 2018

You can ask the prosecutor if you can testify in camera, but it will have to be proven that you would be traumatized if you testify in front of him. Being really scared is not enough.

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1 Answer | Asked in Domestic Violence and Criminal Law for Virginia on
Q: My child’s father was arrested for assault and battery for hitting me while I was driving a car. What should I expect?

I went to pick him up from the bar because he was wasted. He hit me on our way home from the bar while I was driving. I also had our baby in the car. We are now on good terms and i do not wish anything to happen to him. What can I expect to happen to him? He also stated that he would run us off the... View More

Susan Fremit
Susan Fremit
answered on Feb 8, 2018

You should probably speak to his attorney about the details of this case.

2 Answers | Asked in Domestic Violence for Virginia on
Q: I was falsely accused of domestic violence . I didnt do it how can i beat this charge. I live in Va .
H. Scott Aalsberg
H. Scott Aalsberg
answered on Jan 24, 2018

More information is needed but your best option is to come to NJ and hire an experienced criminal/domestic violence lawyer. Most of us offer a free in office consultation. I suggest you set one up.

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2 Answers | Asked in Criminal Law and Domestic Violence for Virginia on
Q: I’m pressing DV charges & 2 year PO on my daughter father. What happens if he doesn’t show?
Susan Fremit
Susan Fremit
answered on Jan 22, 2018

An arrest warrant will likely be issued.

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1 Answer | Asked in Domestic Violence for Virginia on
Q: Why is my boyfriend being charged with assault on me when I️ never to police that I️ wanted to press charges?

My boyfriend got into a fight with someone. I️ put myself in the middle and tried holding him back from attacking the person. When I️ did this he kept pushing me back trying to get me off of him. He never hit me and I️ explained this to the police when they got there. I️ The other person... View More

Susan Fremit
Susan Fremit
answered on Jan 21, 2018

Your BF pushing you to get off him could be an unwanted touching and thus an assault. Once the police arrive on the scene, whether you want to proceed with the charges or not is out of your hands. Tell your BF's attorney that your BF did not assault you as far as you are concerned and you... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Child Custody and Domestic Violence for Virginia on
Q: 5 years later my son's dad still wont have a relationship with him. I have full custody can I change my son last name?

I left him due to domestic violence, and since I will not be with him he has abandoned his son for 5 years now. Can I change my son last name to mine?

Susan Fremit
Susan Fremit
answered on Jan 20, 2018

This is not a criminal defense question. It is a family law question so I will try to redirect your question to that area of law.

1 Answer | Asked in Domestic Violence and Criminal Law for Virginia on
Q: My child's father got charged with Assault and Battery against me, the subpoenaed me to court. What should I expect?
Susan Fremit
Susan Fremit
answered on Jan 19, 2018

The prosecutor will try to avoid a trial, depending on the nature of your described assault. If he qualifies for the first offender program, he will certain things to do, such as complete an anger management program; also a substance abuse program if you alleged drugs or alcohol played a role in... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Personal Injury and Domestic Violence for Virginia on
Q: I called the cops on my mom because she took money from me and poked me with a screw driver.

I called just to scare her and for the cops to calm her down but they ended up arresting her and charging her with unlawful bodily injury and assault on a family member. I didnt feel threaten, and dont want to press charges from the get go. I didnt really get hurt or go to the hospital. How bad are... View More

Susan Fremit
Susan Fremit
answered on Jan 18, 2018

She could ended up being a convicted felon which is never good. If you want to help her, contact her attorney to speak to him or her and tell you side of things. Whether the charges are dropped will now depend on the prosecutor but you can help her attorney try to get the charges dropped or... View More

2 Answers | Asked in Domestic Violence for Virginia on
Q: i was granted a preliminary protection order against my childs father and we go to court on the 24th,can it be dropped?

can the order be dropped when i go to court and will i have to explain why i want the protective order ended?

Susan Fremit
Susan Fremit
answered on Jan 14, 2018

The judge will want to ensure that you are not/fear for your life.

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1 Answer | Asked in Domestic Violence for Virginia on
Q: If you were charged with a crime and it was dismissed can you later ask for that to be changed?

The case was 2 years ago in 2015. I was charged with Malicious Wounding. my lawyer suggested I take an Alford Plea. However 2 years later I am finding out that the plea means I claim I am innocent but they have evidence to find me guilty. There was ZERO evidence that the victim was hurt. There was... View More

Susan Fremit
Susan Fremit
answered on Jan 9, 2018

Usually the judge asks the defendant a number of questions, including whether the defendant knows what an alford plea means or what the defendant thinks the alford plea means, and whether the defendant understands the consequences of an alford plea. (With an alford plea, the defendant is saying... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Domestic Violence for Virginia on
Q: If I move state and I have court in 2 - 3 weeks from now what will happen ! This is a domestic violence case I’m

The Victim I was planning on moving

Susan Fremit
Susan Fremit
answered on Jan 8, 2018

If you were subpoenaed and you miss court a witness warrant can be issued for your arrest.

2 Answers | Asked in Child Custody and Domestic Violence for Virginia on
Q: A friend needs legal advice how to go about not letting father of 3 weeks old take child when he wants.

A friend of a co worker has a 3 week old baby. She recently left an abusive relationship with father. She let the baby's dad take him for the dad and was to be back at a certain time. He is now refusing to bring the child back. What does she need to do legally to get her child back and have... View More

Susan Fremit
Susan Fremit
answered on Jan 7, 2018

This is a family law question, not criminal defense. I will transfer your question.

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1 Answer | Asked in Domestic Violence for Virginia on
Q: Hello my boyfriend went to jail for domestic violence and it’s a misdemeanor & a felony for strangulation..

What will they give him

Susan Fremit
Susan Fremit
answered on Jan 4, 2018

A lot depends on your BF’s criminal record, if any. There are sentencing guidelines for the felony which take into account prior convictions and any jail time served for those convictions. The misdemeanor carries a max sentence of 12 months.

1 Answer | Asked in Domestic Violence for Virginia on
Q: Two year protective order against spouse showing signs of dementia. He is contacting me via text. He needa help not jail

I have a 2 year protection order against my spouse of 28 years. It has come to my attention that he is more than likely in the 1st or 2nd stages of dementia. He has started texting me nonstop, calling and crying. He also recently came to my home and flipped his vehicle into a ditch totalling it. He... View More

Gary D. Godman
Gary D. Godman
answered on Jan 3, 2018

Without knowing all the details, it appears there is not much you can do. It is unfortunately up to him to decide to get treatment. If you don't want to drop the protective order, you shouldn't. Perhaps you or your children should research mental health options in your area to see if... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Domestic Violence for Virginia on
Q: I have a court date on a FTA CHARGE from a ANB in which I know they found me guilty so should I expect jail time

I miss court on a AnB charge in which I was in the wrong court room after doing 30 days in jail I really want to know if I could use my time that I already have since I have a state job

Susan Fremit
Susan Fremit
answered on Jan 2, 2018

An experienced criminal defense attorney may be able to greatly assist you; especially since it sounds like you have a defense on the fta charge. Often completing 25 or more hours of certain community service and having references letters can help avoid jail.

1 Answer | Asked in Criminal Law and Domestic Violence for Virginia on
Q: I am potentially facing a second domestic charge. The first was 12 years ago I completed the first offenders program

My previous charges are exsponged. Will I likely face jail time? I am assuming DV and possibly strangulation charges are coming but have not yet been contacted by police. There was destruction of property by both parties and the alleged victim also stole a number of goods from the home we shared?

Susan Fremit
Susan Fremit
answered on Dec 25, 2017

If you went through the first offender’s program, your charge was li8kely dismissed not expunged. For a charge to be expunged, you need to brin g an application for expungement in Circuit court. Thus, thes prosecutor will know that you had a prior domestic violence charge and now you have... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Appeals / Appellate Law, Consumer Law, Criminal Law and Domestic Violence for Virginia on
Q: someone falsely accused me harassment and filed a protective order against me, the case was dismissed, can she appeal?

This is taking place in the state of Virginia. She's actually harassing me but I can't file anything against her because I don't know anything about her.. How is this even possible? She keeps filing false charges against me, I don't know what to do

Wilfred Yeargan
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answered on Dec 16, 2017

If the Protective Order civil case was heard in General District Court, she can appeal within ten (10) calendar days. The appeal is heard in the Circuit Court of the county where the first case was filed. Contact an experienced defense lawyer in your area for a full consultation.

1 Answer | Asked in Domestic Violence for Virginia on
Q: Am I able to Plead the fifth in a domestic violence assault? She file a civil complaint after I allegedly hit her?

Virginia Domestic assault cases

Michael Christopher Miller
Michael Christopher Miller
answered on Dec 8, 2017

Yes, you can.

She could. Usually it is a protective order. You can still invoke your rights.

1 Answer | Asked in Domestic Violence and Criminal Law for Virginia on
Q: I am being charged with assault on a family member misdemeanor in Virginia. My husband was supeanoed by pwc prosecution

Does he have to testify against me he is the victim

Michael Christopher Miller
Michael Christopher Miller
answered on Nov 30, 2017

If he was served a subpoena, he has to comply with the subpoena.

Va. Code § 8.01-398. Privileged marital communications (Subsection (a) of Supreme Court Rule 2:504 derived from this section).

Husband and wife shall be competent witnesses to testify for or against each other in all...
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