Holes in Domestic Violence Law
Domestic violence is a serious and pervasive problem. Lawmakers have responded by putting in place severe consequences for people who abuse a spouse or partner, as well as protections for those who are abused. One important milestone was statewide funding for Maryland shelters in 1981, which has helped victims to seek refuge from abuse.
The law has continued to evolve and provide necessary protections for victims of domestic violence. Unfortunately, this same law - while certainly good for abused spouses or partners - also allows for great injustice when it comes to false complaints.
MD False Accustation Defense Lawyer
I am Baltimore domestic abuse complaint defense attorney Jim Crawford. Since 1992 I have handled thousands of cases, including domestic violence cases. I represent those who have been accused of domestic violence, which could be anything from physical assault and sex crimes to threats. I have seen, first-hand, that not every accusation made against a "perpetrator" is true. Contact me at 443-701-4525 or toll free at 866-635-0623 to discuss your options if you've been accused of domestic violence.
The Consequences of False Complaints
The consequences for those who are falsely accused and/or convicted of domestic violence include:
- An order to get out of your house, temporarily or permanently, depending on the circumstances
- An order to get anger management or other counseling
- A black mark on your record that will affect child custody matters and visitation
- An arrest and jail time
- A criminal record that could include anything from harassment to stalking to assault
- A charge of sexual assault, rape, or other sex crime
- A "no contact order" issued by a prosecutor that forbids you to contact your spouse or partner in any way, for a certain period of time
- Likely surrender of firearms, regardless of whether you use them for self-defense, in your line of work as a police officer or in the military, or for hunting
- Temporary GPS tracking monitor, depending on county
Under the law, police officers are discouraged from making dual arrests, which means that one spouse or partner will be defined as the "perpetrator" and the other as the "victim," distorting the facts in cases of false complaints of domestic violence. Unfortunately, the possible consequences listed above apply to the person labeled as the "perpetrator," regardless of the truth.
Contact Me
That's why it's so important to work with an attorney who can defend you against false allegations. Contact me at 443-701-4525 or toll free at 866-635-0623 for a free consultation.
