Palm Desert Domestic Violence Lawyer
Domestic violence is never acceptable and never warranted, regardless of your family situation. If you experience domestic violence of any kind at the hands of a partner or other family member, it’s important to know that you have the right to legally protect yourself. California law allows victims to take action against their abuser and seek safety, both in times of crisis and long term.
With the right domestic violence and family law attorney, navigating a domestic violence case can be as straightforward and simple as possible. Though there are always emotional and logistical difficulties surrounding any domestic violence case, a Palm Desert domestic violence attorney can help you successfully traverse the legal process.
The Law Offices of Athina K. Powers: Your Palm Desert Domestic Violence Attorneys
When you need a domestic violence attorney, the team at the Law Offices of Athina K. Powers is here for you. With over 30 years of direct experience, our Palm Desert domestic violence attorneys can ensure you have the support and resources you need to remain safe and secure. We can help you secure restraining orders, press domestic assault charges, and even file for divorce safely and discreetly. No matter the situation, our team has the experience and knowledge to help.
We offer domestic violence services in multiple languages, including French, Greek, Spanish, Italian, and English. No matter your heritage or native language, we can offer you resources to bring your domestic violence case to court and secure the protection you deserve.
What Is Domestic Violence?
Domestic violence is abuse or harm inflicted by a member of one’s own household. The perpetrator can be a roommate, family member, partner, or even an adult child. When discussing the topic of domestic violence, most people think of physical violence. Physical forms of domestic violence could include:
- Kicking
- Punching
- Biting
- Hitting
- Pushing
- Sexual assault or coercion
It is important to remember that domestic violence does not need to become physical to be illegal. In fact, there are many ways an offender can commit domestic violence without laying a finger on their victim. Some non-physical forms of domestic violence include:
- Stalking
- Manipulation
- Pressure to engage in activities you aren’t comfortable with
- Withholding money or affection
- Other forms of emotional abuse
If you believe that you or a loved one are a victim of any type of abuse in your home, contact the authorities right away. Then, get help from a Palm Desert domestic violence lawyer to ensure you stay safe.
Why Do I Need an Attorney?
When you are facing domestic violence or navigating a domestic violence case, you have a great deal of concerns and responsibilities to attend to. Many victims must find new housing, determine how to support themselves financially, and keep up with the required paperwork and deadlines for protective orders. What’s more, when you arrive in court, you will need to recount events that are potentially painful or triggering memories for you.
Presenting a thorough argument in court is extremely difficult, even under the best conditions. With the stress and worry you are facing regarding your safety, you are more likely to make critical mistakes that could compromise your case. With your safety and wellbeing at stake, hiring a Palm Desert domestic violence attorney is the right call.
Steps to Safety
When you call the authorities for a domestic violence case, you may have the opportunity to file a temporary restraining order against your abuser. Though this motion to keep your abuser away from you will only last for a brief period, it can give you the time and security you need to assemble a permanent restraining order. A police officer can help you to apply for a temporary protective order and ask for emergency approval from a judge.
If you need to apply for a more permanent type of protective order, there are a few more steps to achieving your goal. Paperwork for a protective order must go through the courts and be served to the offender before it becomes active. Your Palm Desert domestic violence lawyer can help you to file a restraining order, as well as draw up divorce papers if you are married to your abuser.
Proving Your Domestic Violence Case
Unfortunately, the court can’t charge an abuser without proof that they have done something wrong. The word of a victim is often not enough to bring domestic violence offenders to justice. Your attorney will build a case to show that the defendant (your abuser) has committed illegal acts and perpetrated your abuse.
You may be able to help your attorney build your case by doing the following:
- Take pictures of your injuries.
- Save any abusive texts, messages, letters, or emails the offender sent to you.
- Consider if anyone witnessed the abuse and could testify in court.
- Take photos of property damage that resulted from the abuse.
- Keep any medical records listing injuries that resulted from the abuse.
While neglect of these actions is certainly understandable considering the circumstances, saving evidence moving forward can help your attorney prove the defendant should not be returned to the home.
What Makes a Good Domestic Violence Attorney?
Domestic violence cases are extremely sensitive and often involve heightened emotions. When you are looking for an attorney to represent you in your domestic violence case, it is important to look for someone who is compassionate and patient. Most of all, seek a Palm Desert domestic violence lawyer who understands what you’re going through.
Your attorney should also have a history of protecting domestic violence victims and a track record that demonstrates their success in cases like yours. Ultimately, you need to be able to trust your attorney. If they make you feel uneasy, stressed, or seem unfamiliar with domestic violence cases, they are not the attorney for you.
Contact a Palm Desert Domestic Violence Lawyer
If you or someone you love is experiencing abuse at the hands of a spouse, partner, roommate, or family member, please contact the Law Offices of Athina K. Powers. Our team has a long history of winning family law and domestic violence cases, and we can provide you with the representation you need to free yourself from abuse. Our comprehensive legal services give you the chance to solve your domestic violence situation and ensure that you can move forward into a new, happy life.
Contact us today to get started.
