Westchester County Domestic Violence Defense Lawyers

What Constitutes Domestic Violence Charges in NY?

Often, alleged victims of domestic violence are encouraged by police and prosecutors to also pursue their claims in the Westchester Family Courts by filing a Family Offense Petition. At Riebling & Payton, PLLC, our attorneys are ready to protect you against domestic violence allegations in both the Westchester Criminal Courts and Westchester Family Courts. Having handled countless domestic violence cases, we recognize that it is important to know that your attorney can handle these types of matters in both types of court as the procedures and laws in each are different. This helps to protect the rights and interests of our clients because it ensures them a unified and consistent defense that is tailored for both the criminal process and the civil process of Family Court. In fact, in many of the Westchester criminal courts, there is an integrated domestic violence part where Family Court matters are combined with the criminal case and are heard by the same judge.

Criminal charges and Family Court allegations in a domestic violence case may include any of the following acts:

• Verbal abuse
• Stalking
• Threats
• Rape or sexual assault
• Physical assault
• Attempted rape
• Child endangerment
• Child abuse
• Homicide
• Aggravated Harassment
• Harassment
• Criminal Mischief
• Burglary & Robbery
• Unlawful Imprisonment
• Menacing
• Strangulation

Domestic Violence cases in Westchester County, NY are some of the most devastating cases faced by individuals. They often lead to a person being removed from his or her home, and losing the ability to have any contact with their loved ones. Almost all Domestic Violence cases include an Order of Protection being issued by a criminal court judge which will restrict contact between the person charged, and their family. Sometimes a person is prevented from contacting their children, even when the children were not victims or even present during the incident which triggered the criminal charges. Once an Order of Protection is issued, there are additional perils that the person charged with a domestic violence offense must protect against. The most serious is a violation of the Order of Protection. If a violation occurs, it may result in additional charges for Criminal Contempt being filed by the prosecutor.

Contact Riebling & Payton, PLLC Today

Whether you have been accused by an ex-spouse, your current spouse, or a family member, you need to speak with a domestic violence lawyer as soon as possible. You need to make it clear to law enforcement and the courts that you are cooperative without appearing guilty. However the best advice is always to remain silent when questioned by law enforcement and tell them that you want to speak with a lawyer.

At Riebling & Payton, PLLC, our attorneys form a unique team to help clients facing Domestic Violence charges throughout Westchester County, NY. As a former Assistant District Attorney, defense attorney Marcia Payton has important insight as to how the district attorney’s office will prosecute a domestic violence case. And defense lawyer Stephen Riebling is one of the foremost trial attorneys when it comes to defending domestic violence cases. Our clients benefit greatly from their combined experience, flexible schedule, personalized attention, and compassionate representation.