Montgomery County Domestic Assault Attorney
An Assistant DA in Montgomery County reports on the new focus on Domestic Assault cases.
"Our first step to get up and running was a Domestic Violence Warrant Roundup. District Attorney Ligon started the roundup program after his election as a way to utilize the media and bring attention to our efforts to crack down on crime while serving outstanding warrants in the county. October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month and it was also the first full month after receiving our grant funding, so we found it to be the perfect time to kick things off. Investigators in our office pulled a variety of open arrest warrants for domestic violence cases, both felony and misdemeanor level. We invited all of our local law enforcement to get involved executing outstanding arrest warrants. We ended up with the largest multi-agency participation we’ve ever had; law enforcement officers from every local agency in the county showed up to support the domestic violence cause and to serve the warrants. Local news agencies rode along with our officers, which put the word out in the community that a new court was in place and we were serious about handling these difficult and dangerous cases. The roundup was a success with more than 40 defendants arrested (out of 200 attempted; these were our best results on a warrant roundup to date), the community was behind us, and our court was off and running."Andy Nolen has over 20 Years Experience as a Montgomery County Domestic Assault Attorney. In the course of representing over 3000 clients and getting many hundreds of cases dismissed, Montgomery County Domestic Assault AttorneyAndy Nolen has compiled a list of things you need to understand with regards to assault and domestic assault cases.
1. The State (District Attorney) will generate a R.I.P. call on your case. That stands for: restitution, injury, and punishment. The state is required by their own policy to call the victim (complaining witness) and ask concerning those 3 items. What they say will have a bearing on the end result of your case. In domestic assault cases in particular, the state is searching not only to establish the extent of any injuries, but to establish that an assault did in fact occur.
2. 911 calls. If 911 was called, the state will likely subpoena those records. After tempers have cooled, often times the victim of an assault might ask that the case be dismissed. The state will use the 911 call to decide the seriousness of the situation and the demeanor of the person calling. Often, whats in the background is crucial. For example, if the person charged is screaming, threatening, or breaking things, that proof can be presented in court.
3. Medical records. If the victim of an assault received medical attention, those record can be subpoenaed by the state. If the charge is 2 men, not family, are fighting, that's one thing. However, if the victim was a woman or family member, the state will be seeking to establish an assault did in fact occur. Statements by family after the fact that they want the case dismissed will likely fall on deaf ears.
4. Family Criminal Law Division. Assault cases affecting family may be called to that division in the District Attorney's Office. Those prosecutors specialize in domestic violence. A family member assaulted may be asked to go to that office for an in depth interview. At that time, they will take a statement, evaluate the situation, and offer advice on domestic assault and community programs that may help.
5. A first period Assault is a class A misdemeanor carrying up to a $4000 fine and a year in jail. If the court makes an affirmative finding of domestic violence. A second assault is a 3rd degree felony carrying up to 10 years in prison and a $10,000 fine. A domestic assault involving choking is a 3rd degree felony the first time it occurs.
These cases are taken very seriously by the District Attorney's Office. Many people believe they will be treated like a small incident or that once a family member announces they want the case dismissed it's all over. Those people are wrong. Montgomery County Domestic Assault Attorney Andy Nolen has represented over 3000 people and had many assault and domestic assault cases dismissed by aggressively gathering evidence, witnesses and statements. Attorney Andy Nolen has also won cases by setting them for trial and trying them. If you have been charged with any type of assault case, please call Conroe Assault Attorney Andy Nolen at 832-480-8951 for a free consultation.
