Staten Island Domestic Violence

Unfortunately the offense of domestic violence is all too common. These crimes occur with such great frequency that special courtroom have been created to appropriately handle these cases. A Staten Island Domestic Lawyer from our legal team can tell you that there are very complicated laws and procedures surrounding these cases. Because of this, many jurisdictions in New York have created integrated domestic violence courtrooms (IDV) that are able to handle both the family law and criminal aspects of the case. Many do not realize that there is no single crime that is called domestic violence. It is used as a term to describe a collection of criminal offenses that can include matters such as sexual assault, rape, stalking and harassment. If you have been involved in a domestic violence incident, it is important to seek legal guidance as soon as possible to ensure that your rights are protected. Speak to the legal team at Stephen Bilkis & Associates, PLLC for guidance and a free consultation.

This offense involves a criminal act that is committed between two people that share an intimate or blood relationship. The integrated domestic violence courtroom combines traditional legal punishments for matters with new programs that seek to rehabilitate the parties. These programs can include personal and family counseling, as well as anger management and parenting classes. The primary concern of these courtrooms is to promote judicial economy, and prevent needless overlap between the civil and criminal aspects of these cases.

If you or a loved one has been arrested, it is important to note that the arrest process will be similar to any other arrest, but with a few differences. After the arrest process, the victim will be asked to complete a Domestic Violence Incident Report (DIR). This report is used by investigators and police to learn about the circumstances surrounding the incident. Sometimes the victim is asked to write the report themselves, and other times the police will create it and request that the victim sign it. Either way, it is important to check the content of the report. Once the report is signed it is very difficult to go back and alter anything on the document.

Being accused of these types of crimes is very emotional. Even if the accusations aren’t true, the allegations can be very damaging to your personal and professional relationships. Also even when a false allegation has been made against you, law enforcement will be reluctant to hear your side of the story because it may appear retaliatory in nature.

If you have been involved in a domestic violence incident, our team suggests the following actions to ensure that your rights are protected:

1. Take Pictures with Your Cell Phone. Pictures can be very important to your case down the road.
2. Collect Contact Information from any Witnesses. Anyone who was a witness to the incident could provide very important information regarding the incident.
3. Seek Medical Treatment. Even if you aren’t sure if you are hurt, it is a good idea to get checked out by a doctor. This also serves to document any injuries you may have sustained.

Whether you have been accused of assault, rape or endangering the welfare of a child, it is important to speak to our team right away. If convicted, you could be facing very serious penalties. Contact our team for sound legal guidance and a free consultation. We have offices to serve you throughout New York, including locations in Manhattan, Queens, the Bronx, Brooklyn and Staten Island. We also have offices in Nassau County and Suffolk County on Long Island, as well as Westchester County. Call us today to schedule your appointment at 800.696.9529.