Domestic Violence Charges – Blog 1: Overview and Index

December 12, 2020

By Texas Criminal Defense Lawyer Jeremy Rosenthal

jeremy@texasdefensefirm.com

(972) 369-0577

Today I’m starting a series of articles discussing the legal aspects of family assault cases in Texas.  My goal with these blogs – as is my goal with all blogs – is to convey as much accurate information in a user friendly format as I can without overloading the reader.

Domestic violence has been a very hot topic before the COVID-19 pandemic and the issues have only become more exacerbated since the all of the lockdowns, school closings, and sheltering-in-place the pandemic has triggered.  Arrests for domestic and family violence are like a hand-grenade which is rolled into the living room which can threaten to make what is often already a dysfunctional situation worse.

I find domestic assault arrests also to be the most commonly underestimated arrest by folks ensnared in these situations.  I hope to give some of the complexity context in this series too.

DV Cases: A 40,000 Foot View

The most defining aspect of domestic violence cases from a lawyer’s standpoint is the “he said/ she said” nature of the allegations. This sounds simple but we just don’t see this dynamic much in charges such as DWI, theft, or drug possession.  Even crimes against children are somewhat different because in those cases the allegations can be from years past and there are vast differences in the sophistication levels of accusing child and accused adult.

A family assault arrest typically comprises of police showing up to someone’s house after a 911 call to find the folks huffing and puffing, often bleeding, and sometimes impaired.  The police are then asked to restore the peace and unwind, diagnose, then make a judgement call about who in a complicated relationship sometimes spanning decades is an aggressor.  Then the legal system takes hold making the web seemingly unmanageable.

Very few cases also have the level of disagreement between prosecutors and defense lawyers than assault of a family member as well.  Prosecutors and defense lawyers fight over what happened at any particular incident, the very nature of a complex or long relationship and what should be done in terms of long term solutions whether a dating couple remains together or not.  Further domestic violence charges carry additional penalties which up the ante in defending them.

My Blog Series on Assault Against a Family Member

I’ll break this down into several components in this series so they make sense.  First, I’ll cover the technical aspects of the laws and specific charges:

Defenses Common in Family Abuse and Assault Cases:

Common Prosecutorial Views/ Tactics in DV Cases:

Defending Domestic Violence Charges

*Jeremy Rosenthal is certified in criminal law by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization.  He is recognized as a Texas Super Lawyer by Thomson Reuters.

 

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What is a Magistrate’s Order for Emergency Protection?

November 18, 2019

By Collin County Criminal Defense Lawyer Jeremy Rosenthal

(972) 369-0577

texasdefensefirm.com

texasdomesticviolencearrest

These are known as Emergency Protective Orders or EPOs.  They can be extremely disruptive, costly, and exacerbate emotional distress of the entire family on top of the havoc a domestic violence arrest already inflicts.

Texas law allows a police officer making an arrest to ask a magistrate judge for an EPO.  The officer does not need the consent of anyone else including the complaining witness to seek the Order.

Violation of the Order can be a serious misdemeanor as well.  Each Emergency Protective Order is different from the next.  Don’t assume an EPO prohibits or doesn’t prohibit certain activities.

Most of these orders require the accused to stay a certain distance away from the alleged victim and other family members.  They also often prohibit either direct or indirect communication.

Direct communication is typically construed as phone calls, text messages or communications on social media.  Indirect communication is typically where the Defendant has a friend — often a mutual friend – make contact with the complaining witness.  Both are normally violations.

The length of the EPO can vary but for most assault cases in Collin County they may last either 91 or 61 days.

An EPO Can Be Destructive

Following an Emergency Protective Orders can require a person live in a hotel or other temporary accommodations because they are prohibited from going to their residence.  Two months in a hotel means two months of paying double for housing.  Further, where a couple has children, one parent — usually the complaining witness — is saddled with 100% of the childcare for that time as well.  While the goal is to allow a couple time away to that emotions and physical conflict cool it can have the effect of throwing a family further in chaos.

How do I Get My Stuff?

EPOs create immediate logistical headaches.  If you can’t call your spouse or can’t communicate with them through a friend — then how are you supposed to get your clothes, work laptop, or medications?

Most Protective Orders provide for some type of safe harbor within the first 24 hours to get these things arranged.  Read the fine print carefully.  You may be allowed to have a friend or representative get whatever you need quickly.

What to Be Careful about with Emergency Protective Orders

Always make sure you read the details carefully — and if you have any questions at all about the specific provisions of your EPO be sure to ask a lawyer.

Communicating with the protected person while under an EPO can lead to lots of problems.  Frequently it is the victim reaching out to the Defendant — but no matter — the Defendant still commits an offense by engaging in that communication.

What Can A Lawyer Do?

A Lawyer Can Communicate Directly with the Alleged Victim

I’ve yet to see a protective order without language exempting the lawyer from the communication prohibition.  This is because lawyers have legal and ethical duties to investigate their case.  Don’t expect your lawyer to be an on-going courier or go-between, however, your lawyer can assist in coordinating necessary issues in addition to planning towards long-term goals of your case.

A Lawyer Can Help Get the Order Modified

Most judges will modify a protective order so long as everyone is in agreement — usually both spouses or both persons involved in the altercation.  The magistrate may drag their feet or do it slowly so as to allow the parties a colling down period but most magistrates don’t wish to impose the additional hardship an EPO can cause.

*Jeremy Rosenthal is Board Certified in Criminal Law and is licensed to practice in the State of Texas.

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Posted by niftybrady

Emergency Protective Orders – FAQs

October 21, 2016

By Criminal Defense Lawyer Jeremy Rosenthal

(972) 369-0577

texasdefensefirm.com

What is an Emergency Protective Order?

An emergency protective order (“EPO” for short) is an order issued by a magistrate judge after someone is arrested for Assault – typically during a family or domestic situation.  They can be broad, sweeping, and they can often worsen a family situation.

The order can prevent someone from going back to their home, having contact with their loved ones, and even going to the their children’s school to pick them up.  It can order the Defendant not have access to or possession of firearms.

How Can They Do This?

Texas law allows a magistrate judge to issue these orders upon application which may be done by a police officer or may even be done on the Judges own discretion.  It can be done “Ex Parte” which means the accused does not have the right to be there.  Understand, then, that the information the magistrate judge is given can be very slanted.  Also remember the laws in the State of Texas were written by politicians who — by and large– were elected on promises to be tough on these types of cases regardless of the facts.

How Long is the Order In Effect?

An EPO can be in effect for up to two years unless there are aggravating circumstances such as serious bodily injury allegations or Defendant has a previous history of domestic violence.  Most protective orders state their duration.  If the Order has no duration on it then the duration is 2 years as a matter of law under Tex.Fam.C. Chapter 85.025(2).

Most Emergency Protective Orders in Collin County are about 60 days.

Can an EPO be Modified?

Yes.  This is typically done through the same judge who signed the EPO.

How Do We Get the Judge to Modify an Emergency Protective Order?

You or your attorney can petition the judge for an amendment to the EPO.  Normally there is a hearing where the judge determines whether to lift or modify the protective order.

I’m the Alleged Victim… Can’t I Just Go Tell the Judge to Undo This?

It’s probably not that simple.  Most judges prefer to have a formal hearing because they don’t know the parties involved and they are worried about additional violence if they immediately undo an order.

A case to them resembles many other cases they’ve handled.  Also there is a prevailing mentality amongst law enforcement, prosecutors and often some judges which presumes several things about family violence arrests.

Their mentality is the assailant is guilty, and that the victim is asking for this leniency because they feel guilty or intimidated by the abuser because that is part of the circle of domestic violence.  It is flawed logic because it’s circular – though I’m sure it can be true in some cases.  (Defendant one is guilty therefore we don’t believe the victim when they say it didn’t really happen therefore Defendant is more guilty than before).  In cases where it isn’t true — the logic particularly confounding.

Most judges I’ve worked with have broad policies about these types of things.  They are not un-sympathetic to real world problems protective orders create such as financial strain of paying for multiple housing, child care, and impact on the family.

Should I Hire a Lawyer to Deal With a Protective Order?

It goes without saying that if you have been arrested for Assault/ Family Violence then you need a lawyer immediately upon your arrest.  There are pitfalls to modifying protective orders which require skill too.

What Happens if I Violate the EPO?

It can cause additional criminal charges and bond to be revoked.  In many cases the violation can be as bad or worse than the original allegation.

Can the Person Come Over to Get Necessary Things?

Always read the specific language of the EPO and if you have any questions talk with a lawyer to make sure it’s clear.  Most protective order’s I’ve seen have a provision which allows for a way to get necessities from a home such as clothes, computers or whatever is needed.  Sometimes the language provides a friend or neutral person can assist.

Understand if the police are called and the protective order is shown to an officer who wasn’t at the hearing or who doesn’t understand an EPO very well — the person can go back to jail even though the officer might be wrong.  Make sure it is crystal clear what you can do before you take any action.

*Jeremy Rosenthal is Board Certified in Criminal Law by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization and licensed by the Supreme Court of Texas. Nothing in this article is intended to be legal advice.  For legal advice on any situation you should contact an attorney directly.

 

 

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Posted by Jeremy Rosenthal, Esq.