Seattle Domestic Violence Defense Attorneys
Domestic violence—it’s a phrase that gets used a lot these days, and it’s a phrase that is often used as a weapon itself. When someone accuses you of domestic violence the response by the police, the courts and society is swift and severe. Mandatory arrest laws mean that once someone is accused, someone has to go to jail. Once that happens the consequences to you can be enormous.
Sometimes these allegations are made in anger, because someone is hurt or out of a sense of revenge. Conflicts are part of any human relationship. Unfortunately, when people are hurt, or embarrassed or just plain angry they sometimes look for ways to punish the ones they love. Calling the police may seem like a good idea at the time, but that one phone call can set off a series of events that can have serious consequences for everyone involved.
At Rhodes & Meryhew, we understand the family and interpersonal dynamics that lead to false accusations, and how to expose them as false accusations. We’ve worked with clients of all ages, professions, and lifestyles who find themselves facing a false accusation of bringing harm to someone they love. You can be confident that you will have a knowledgeable team of lawyers who will represent and support you through this difficult and challenging emotional time.
What are the common factors you see in cases where people falsely accuse another of domestic violence assault?
The common factors that lead to false accusation are:
- Substance abuse, particularly alcohol
- Excessive stress in the relationship, such as unemployment, death of a loved one or even illness.e
- Mental health problems in one or both of the partners, such as bipolar disorder, depression, ADHD, borderline personality disorder, etc.e
- Jealousy, in particular, belief that a partner is cheatinge
- A bitter and emotional end to a relationshipe
- Divorce and child custody battlese
- Plain old revenge
I didn’t do anything. Why did the police arrest me?
Washington law requires that the police, after determining there is probable cause that a crime of domestic violence has occurred, arrest the “primary aggressor.” In other words, they pick who goes to jail, and gender and size are the usual methods. The probable cause standard is extremely low. When the police are called, the word of the accuser is enough for an arrest.
My girlfriend wants to drop the charges. Doesn’t that make the case go away?
No. The State of Washington makes the decision whether to charge and prosecute any criminal offense. While the prosecuting attorney’s office takes the accuser’s position into account, it doesn’t mean that the prosecutor will simply dismiss the case. Often, the prosecutor believes that the accuser is recanting because she is afraid of you, not because the accuser lied to the police.
Even though the police arrested me, I’m actually the one who’s been the victim of domestic violence by my boyfriend for many years. What can you do to help me?
Victims of domestic violence often find themselves accused of the very thing they have experienced. Sometimes the perpetrator turns the tables on the victim and accuses the victim of assaulting him or her. The victim, out of shock or fear of the perpetrator, is afraid to speak up against the perpetrator in front of the police. The police have to make an arrest if they determine there is probable cause that a crime of domestic violence has occurred, and they arrest…the victim.
Cases involving charged victims require particular sensitivity. We have represented many victims who were mistakenly charged with results. In those cases, we work with the victim to develop a safety plan, provide the victim with counseling and community domestic violence protection resources, and conduct a thorough investigation to corroborate all prior incidents of domestic violence between the perpetrator and the victim. We have been very successful in convincing the prosecutors that the wrong person was charged and obtaining dismissals.
How will you defend me against a false accusation of domestic violence assault?
Fighting a false accusation requires a thorough understanding of why and how the allegations were made. Allegations of domestic violence don’t occur in a vacuum. People in romantic relationships go through many trials and difficulties which all come together in the one moment of heated conflict—and then the police are called. Our team of defense attorneys takes a thorough relationship history from you, interviews witnesses, and works to understand and explain how this happened. Through this work we develop as many ways as we can to challenge the truthfulness and reasonableness of the accuser.
What can I expect from your representation?
When you have Rhodes & Meryhew on your side, you can expect a team of defense lawyers who will answer your questions thoroughly and patiently, who are available to you when you need us, and who will make you feel confident and secure every time you walk into the courthouse.
Before you make any life changing decisions, call with confidence.
