As in other parts of New York, Domestic Violence is a crime that frequently happens in Westchester County. For this reason, the office of the District Attorney of Westchester County has established a bureau which specifically prosecutes cases of Domestic Violence. Any District Attorney appointed to Domestic Violence cases takes this responsibility very seriously, and you should as well. Because of this, you should acquire an experienced and diligent Westchester County Domestic Violence Lawyer to work for you if you have been charged with this crime. Having a good Westchester County Criminal Lawyer can bring the complexities of these disputes into clearer terms.

Domestic Violence cases in Westchester County fit into two divisions: Felonies or Misdemeanors. The Domestic Violence cases in Westchester County will be adjudicated at the Courthouse at 111 Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard, White Plains, NY. Despite the nature of the offense, most Judges will sign an Order of Protection as the last order during the arraignment of a Domestic Violence case in Westchester County. This order may include, but not be limited to, such crimes as sodomy, felony, DWI (if a child is in the car), misdemeanor, petite larceny, harassment, disorderly conduct, spousal abuse, rape, attempted murder, sex abuse and assault. (For more info on Assault follow this link to New York Assault Lawyer)

Any Westchester County Criminal Lawyer will tell you a Protective Order cautions the defendant to halt any contact or interaction with said “victim” of the case. Orders of Protection are divided into two categories: “limited” or “stay away”. A “stay away”, or Full Order of Protection, bans any contact with the victim like, but not restricted to, electronic, 3rd party, or telephonic contact. Additionally, the accused must stay apart from the victim’s place of business, school, and home. A Westchester County Criminal Domestic Violence Lawyer can inform you that these Orders of Protection are very strict. The violation of the Order will cause your arrest and charge of Criminal Contempt. A Criminal Contempt charge is a criminal offense for breaking the Order of the Court. The Westchester County District Attorney will determine how to handle the case and whether to charge a felony or misdemeanor. The Westchester County Judge whom you may appear before, may also be angered by your negligence of the Protective Order and impose a stiffer bail.

The “limited” Order of Protection is the other kind of Order of Protection. This Order may also be called the “Do Not Harass Order”. In such situations, the defendant may be in close proximity of the complaining victim, but they cannot intimidate, harass, or annoy the victim. Violation of this will result in the defendant’s arrest and Criminal Contempt charge, accompanying the initial Domestic Violence charge. The same consequences may be enforced for the new charge as the violation of the full order that was mentioned above.

If you have been charged with a crime in Westchester County that qualifies as Domestic Violence, you will require the experience of a Westchester County Domestic Violence Lawyer who is knowledgeable and accomplished in your defense facing the District Attorney. You should call Westchester County Domestic Violence Lawyers in affiliation with Stephen Bilkis & Associates. Every Westchester County Domestic Violence Lawyers is prepared to listen to your situation and strategize a defense for you. Please do not wait, call 1-800-NY-NY-Law for a no obligation consultation. We have a location near you whether its in Westchester County, Manhattan in our Park Avenue office, or on Long Island in either Nassau County or Suffolk County.