Family Violence / Domestic Violence

Domestic violence is also known as Family Violence. As a matter of fact, your charge may be battery FVA or something similar. FVA stands for Family Violence Act and it is used to denote special relationships or facts surrounding your charges. To be charged with either domestic violence or family violence, there must be allegations of certain offenses and of a specific relationship status between the accused and the alleged victim. The offenses that can form the basis of a family violence charge are any felony offense and the misdemeanor offenses of battery, simple battery, simple assault, assault, stalking, criminal damage to property, unlawful restraint, and criminal trespass. The relationship status required to form the basis of a domestic violence or family violence charge are past and present spouses, parents of the same child, parents and children, stepparents and stepchildren, foster parents and foster children and other person living or formerly living in the same household. Family violence charges often have special conditions associated with bond such as prohibited contact between the person accused of family violence and the alleged victim.

Many times when a person has been charged with a family violence offense in Forsyth County or the surrounding area, they also have to deal with a temporary protective order (TPO) hearing or a divorce case. In order to issue a TPO the court must find that an act of family violence has occurred. The same defenses that are utilized in defending a charge of domestic violence are used in defense of a TPO. Also, it is important to remember that the evidence introduced at a TPO hearing, including the accused’s testimony if they choose to testify, will often make its way into the hands of the prosecutor. As former prosecutors, the Patterson Moore Butler criminal defense team can also help you obtain a TPO if you have been the victim of domestic violence or family violence.

If you have been charged with a family violence offense in Forsyth County or surrounding areas, you need a skilled and knowledgeable defense attorney protecting your rights and helping you get your life back together. The experienced criminal defense and TPO team at Patterson Moore Butler specialize in in domestic violence and family violence cases and any corresponding divorces or TPOs. Contact Patterson Moore Butler today to discuss your pending family or domestic violence charge, possible defenses, and/or bond modification.