Talk to a defense attorney experienced in Domestic violence charges and Issues
1. The First Court date is within 1-2 days of arrest.
This first court date is an arraignment where preliminary orders are put in place and bond is set. That means this first date happens quickly when prosecutors have barely investigated the case yet the Judge’s orders will impact your bond and whether you can even return home. The timeframe makes quick consultation with an attorney crucial. A public defender will be appointed in private counsel is not retained.
2. Temporary Protection Orders may keep you from going home.
Domestic violence normally occurs in the home. Judges can order a Defendant not to return to that home while the case is pending. These orders may stay in place for months. Prosecutors have a guide to these protection orders that gives an explanation to protection orders common in domestic violence cases. This guide is an excellent resource to understanding the protection order process.
3. Bond is set by a Judge and may mean you stay in jail
At arraignment a Judge hears from the Defense attorney and prosecutor who argue the type of bond and money that must be paid to get out of jail. To effectively maneuver this process a defense attorney needs to quickly gather information and help a client understand how to maneuver the bail bond system.
4. You can’t drop the charges against a loved one
The State of Ohio brings the charges against a defendant for all charges including domestic violence. The State is the only party who can drop the charge. The State is represented by a prosecuting attorney who has to listen to a victim but does not drop charges even if requested to do so.
5. It takes many hours to get out of jail even when things go right
Even if the first court date goes as well as possible the Defendant will be in custody for hours while they are processed out of jail. In Franklin County it is common for this process to last until after midnight.