Albemarle Domestic Violence Lawyer

Albemarle Domestic Violence Attorney

Finding yourself the victim of domestic violence can be a devastating and isolating experience. Domestic violence often occurs between two people who share some form of close or intimate personal relationship. You do not need to suffer alone. An Albemarle domestic violence lawyer can help you take the legal action necessary to get you into a safe situation.

The Albemarle family law attorneys of Lehnhardt Price Family Law represent people who have experienced domestic violence in Albemarle, NC. Our team consists of two partners, Dana B. Lehnhardt and Jessica E. Price, who can work directly with you to ensure clear and direct communication. We have assisted many clients in situations similar to yours and are ready to help you, too.

Who Can Be the Victim of Domestic Violence in North Carolina?

Both men and women are victims of domestic violence. According to the American Bar Association’s Commission on Domestic Violence, domestic violence is more commonly reported by women; approximately 1.3 million women in the United States are assaulted by an intimate partner every year. Just because it isn’t reported as much does not mean that men are not victims of domestic abuse.

Domestic violence includes many different kinds of abuse, including physical and mental abuse. According to the National Domestic Violence Hotline, nearly 20 people experience physical abuse by an intimate partner every minute.

North Carolina defines domestic violence as abuse that happens between two parties who share a close, personal relationship. This can include:

• Former or current spouses
• Persons who live together or who have lived together
• Parents and children
• Grandparents and grandchildren
• Any person acting as a guardian for a minor child
• Persons who share a common child
• Former or current members of a household
• Couples who are dating

These relationships and others are outlined in North Carolina law. The attorneys at Lehnhardt Price Family Law can apply these laws when exploring options with you and help you seek a type of restraining order, otherwise known as a domestic violence protection order, or other legal remedies. We work compassionately and swiftly to ensure your family’s safety and help you gain peace from this circumstance.

What Constitutes Domestic Violence in North Carolina

Domestic violence occurs when a person acts in a specific manner toward an individual with whom they live or share a close personal relationship. These can include:

• Evoking fear of serious injury
• Evoking fear of continued harassment, causing emotional distress
• Tormenting or terrorizing an individual
• Causing or attempting to cause physical injury
• Committing sexual abuse

If you are in a situation where your children are also involved, North Carolina’s domestic violence laws also work to protect them. It is important to hire a domestic violence lawyer in Albemarle right away if you are the victim of domestic violence and wish to pursue protection from your abuser.

Why Choose Lehnhardt Price Family Law?

Our team at Lehnhardt Price Family Law can work swiftly to get you and your loved ones emergency relief. This is an order for the victim and children to be immediately separated by the abuser if there is danger of serious and immediate injury.

We can also place an order for emergency temporary custody if there is a child involved who is also at risk of physical or emotional injury. In these situations, temporary custody can be awarded without the other party’s involvement to provide emergency protection for the child.

An experienced Albemarle domestic violence attorney from Lehnhardt Price Family Law can also help you enroll in a confidentiality program to help safeguard your location from your abuser. A lawsuit can also be filed at the Stanly County Courthouse to help recover any financial losses for medical bills or loss of income at the hands of your abuser. We can also help recover non-economic damages, such as pain and suffering, and seek modifications to custody or child support orders.

FAQs About Albemarle, NC Domestic Violence Law

What Type of Lawyer Handles Domestic Violence?

It is common for family law attorneys to handle victims’ domestic violence cases. Family lawyers can help with many facets involving domestic violence, offering personal protections but also aiding if you need to file for divorce, modify child custody orders, child support, and visitation. Our team of family lawyers works hard to ensure our clients’ safety and address their needs through the court system.

What Is the Most Common Punishment for Domestic Violence in North Carolina?

The Judge can grant a protective order for a period of time not to exceed one year, and can also grant other relief, such as temporary custody.  Punishments for domestic violence related criminal charges in North Carolina can vary depending on the specifics of the case and the defendant’s prior criminal record. It is possible to face jail time, fines, probation, mandatory counseling, and restraining orders. Offenders may also be ordered by a judge to pay restitution for any economic and non-economic damages caused to the victim.

Can a Victim Drop Domestic Violence Charges?

Once a criminal charge has been filed in North Carolina, it is up to the state whether it prosecutes or not. The victim no longer has the choice to drop charges once they have been filed.

The defendant’s lawyer may challenge the evidence and file motions to suppress it if there are clear issues with how it was collected or if rights were violated during the defendant’s arrest.

Why Do Most Domestic Violence Cases Get Dismissed?

Domestic violence cases often are dismissed due to a lack of sufficient evidence because victims stop responding or recant statements. This largely happens due to fear of retaliation from their abuser, stigma, or complicated emotions about the situation. This can make it hard for prosecutors to meet the “beyond a reasonable doubt” standard required by the court system to pursue charges.

Hire a Domestic Violence Lawyer

No one should have to face domestic violence alone. Our team at Lehnhardt Price Family Law is here to help guide you through the process of obtaining personal protections and keep you safe from your abuser. With years of combined experience and a personal approach, we can make sure you feel comfortable and safe throughout the process. Call today or fill out our form online to schedule a consultation with one of our skilled attorneys.