San Antonio Domestic Violence Lawyer

Divorce can be an overwhelming experience, often filled with intense emotions such as confusion, uncertainty, and anger. In the best of situations, it still represents a major life event.

Domestic Violence and Family Violence During Divorce

In some cases unfortunately, the marriage has fallen apart due to family violence, and sometimes, during the separation and divorce, some spouses make poor decisions and resort to abuse and violence. Otherwise reasonable people sometimes succumb to violence in the stress of this experience.

Immediate Help for Victims of Domestic Violence

Domestic violence can result in devastating trauma and difficulty for both sides. If you are a victim of domestic violence, you should contact your local authorities by calling 9-1-1 and get immediate help. It is important to make a police report for your own protection, but also to document what happened for court later.

Legal Representation for Victims and Accused

Whether you are a spouse who has been subjected to physical or emotional abuse or if you’ve been accused of family violence, you should also have representation from a San Antonio domestic violence lawyer like those at our law firm.

Consequences of Domestic Violence Findings

For the accused, a protective order or finding of domestic violence in a court order can have lasting effects on the ability of the defendant to hold a job and can restrict rights for a lifetime. For the victim, the protective order can be of tremendous help in the process of the divorce.

How Our Domestic Violence Lawyers Can Help

Our domestic violence lawyers can help you identify whether your rights are being violated and will fight for your best interests. We can also help with orders of protection to ensure you are safe or are treated fairly in the Texas criminal justice system.

At South TX Family Law, we have extensive experience helping individuals overcome domestic and family violence, and we will fight for you no matter the obstacles.

Please don’t delay in reaching out to us. We know how sensitive and emotional domestic violence cases can be, and we promise to listen compassionately as we address your unique needs. Call 210-775-0353 to speak with our domestic violence attorneys immediately.

What Does Family Violence Consist Of?

Abuse is a form of control. There are many different forms of domestic abuse.

Types of Abuse in Family Violence

Some examples include:

• Physical Abuse is hitting, slapping, pushing, grabbing, pinching, biting, hair pulling, etc. Not allowing a spouse to get medical care or forcing alcohol/drugs is also physical abuse, and interfering with a 9-1-1 call is a crime
• Sexual Abuse is pressuring or attempting to pressure a victim into sexual acts without their permission. This includes marital rape and attacks on sexual parts of the body
• Emotional Abuse is where the abuser works to destroy the victim’s sense of self-worth and self-esteem. Examples of this type of abuse are constant criticism, name-calling, or damaging the victim’s relationship with his or her children. Gaslighting is another form of emotional abuse

Impact of Family Violence on Divorce Proceedings

Family violence can influence how the divorce court rules on several issues. Failure to protect your children from the violence of your partner is a form of child abuse and neglect. Protect yourself and your children with the help of an attorney.

Family violence is serious and should be taken seriously, whether you are a victim of family violence or wrongfully accused of committing family violence. If you were accused of causing bodily harm to a person in your household, you need a criminal attorney to protect your rights as well as a family law attorney.

As an experienced San Antonio family violence lawyer, Laura D. Heard understands the sensitive nature of these types of cases and will work diligently to achieve the best outcome possible for you.

How Do Orders of Protection Work in San Antonio, TX?

If you are a victim of physical harm, psychological abuse, aggravated assault, or any other abuse by a household member, you might feel worried about reporting the incident because of negative repercussions from your abuser.

Legal Protection Through Protective Orders

Please rest assured that our law firm will do everything possible to protect you and your family members legally, including obtaining a protective order, which is much better than a restraining order. We can also advise you on obtaining help from community resources. The effects of abuse may make mediation inappropriate and your lawyer needs to know that it is a factor.

Protective orders in Texas include emergency protective orders, temporary orders, and final protective orders that protect a family permanently from someone with a history of aggression. With a restraining order, the judge will describe the conditions the person is required to follow, such as staying away from you, refraining from contacting you, or engaging in actions that threaten harm but in cases of violations, your lawyer will need to set a hearing and prove contempt of court.

With a protective order, relief is much more immediate and the offender can be arrested at the time of the incident. Protective orders make a difference in the child custody orders as well.

Enforcement and Defense of Protective Orders

Our compassionate, skilled family lawyers can help fight for a protective order that gives you the safety and peace of mind you deserve. If you’ve been served a protective order, we can help ensure you are treated fairly and fight protective orders that are unmerited.

We are also ready to help with protective order enforcement for victims of abuse. Call South TX Family Law right away to learn more about how we can help you.

How Can a Family Law Lawyer Help with My Family Violence Case?

We understand how hard it is to come forward with an accusation of family violence. Many abuse victims are afraid or embarrassed about telling the truth. However, you should remember that you are a valuable individual who doesn’t deserve to be treated this way.

Your Rights and Legal Support

You have legal rights, and if a family member is hurting you, one of the best things you can do is get help from domestic violence lawyers like those at our law firm. In order to help you, your lawyer needs to know the details of what happened. Many times a written diary can help with remembering the dates and order of events.

Crafting a Solution That Protects You

We’ll listen carefully to your story and help craft a solution that meets your goals and protects you from future harm. If you are seeking a divorce, we will help you navigate the strenuous divorce process. In a marriage involving abuse, divorcing your spouse can be even more complicated.

We’ll ensure you aren’t put through any more stress or expense than is absolutely necessary. For example, decisions can be made through conferences between your attorney and your spouse’s attorney so you don’t have to meet your abuser face to face.

Experience and Compassionate Counsel

Our legal team can also help by providing excellent counsel and emotional support. We have spent over five decades handling family law matters, including domestic violence charges. We know how important this issue is for you and your future, and we promise to do everything possible to get you a favorable outcome. Call now to speak with our domestic violence attorneys in San Antonio.

Should I Hire a Family Violence Attorney?

If you are a victim or have been charged with family violence, it is in your best interest to consult with an attorney immediately. Hiring an attorney who is experienced in these types of cases may provide you with the knowledge you need to get favorable results without further court appearances or jail time.

Importance of Legal Representation

It is also crucial for you to have excellent legal representation as you protect your safety and that of your family members.

We know that each case is unique; therefore, we will provide you with an aggressive defense that works in your favor. You can trust our attorneys for dedicated legal representation and protection. Contact us today at (210) 775-0353 and get the representation you deserve.