Being accused of domestic violence can significantly impact your personal and professional life. As your Anderson County domestic violence lawyer, Christopher L. Jones could act promptly to negotiate release conditions, collect and preserve important documentation, and carefully review the state’s evidence against you.
As your criminal defense attorney, I could explain how domestic violence is charged, what “household member” means, and how degrees and enhancements affect exposure. Contact Chris Jones Law today for strategic legal defense and support throughout your case.
How Does the State Charge Domestic Violence?
The state categorizes offenses by degrees, with an additional, more serious charge called domestic violence of a high and aggravated nature (DVHAN). Outlined in the South Carolina Code of Laws § 16-25-10, the law defines household member, specifies prohibited acts, and details the criteria for first-, second-, and third-degree offenses. These criteria include factors such as significant or moderate bodily injury, firearm use, pregnancy, or blocking access to an emergency phone. Penalties vary from up to 90 days for third-degree offenses to as much as 10 years for first-degree offenses.
A DVHAN charge will apply when a violation occurs under circumstances showing extreme indifference to human life, including:
- Strangulation
- Use of a deadly weapon
- Conduct causing great bodily injury
- Protection-order violation paired with first-degree conduct
A DVHAN charge is a felony punishable by up to 20 years. An Anderson County family violence attorney at Chris Jones Law could help explain these designations in more detail during a confidential case review.
Bond, No-Contact Orders, and Protective Orders
Release decisions in domestic violence cases consider public-safety factors and victim safety. In matters involving a household member, courts must evaluate specific factors when setting bond and may issue restraining orders or add-on conditions. Early advocacy from an Anderson County domestic abuse lawyer could address contact provisions, residence issues, and work obligations to improve your chances of a successful defense.
Civil orders of protection are issued through the Family Court. A person qualifies as a household member if they can authorize orders that prevent abuse and contact. These orders typically last six to 12 months, can be extended for good cause, and contain enforceable conditions. This civil process may overlap with criminal cases, making it important to manage both carefully to prevent unintended admission of guilt.
Technology and No-Contact Compliance
Indirect contact often leads to issues. Activities such as group texts, shared iCloud accounts, location sharing, and social media tags can breach conditions, even without direct messages. As your family violence attorney in Anderson County, I could review your phone settings with you, turn off auto-uploads, and establish boundaries for messaging and shared devices. If exchanges of property or child-related communications are needed, I could suggest neutral channels and written protocols to create a court-safe plan. This approach helps you stay compliant and minimizes the risk of additional charges during your case.
Early Actions That Protect Your Defense
Domestic cases depend on the details, including who called 911, the body-camera footage, whether injuries match the account, and whether the state’s witnesses are available and reliable. I could obtain the recordings, photos, medical notes, and dispatch logs, as well as scrutinize any statements you provided for potential issues related to suppression.
As your Anderson County domestic violence defense attorney, I could also plan for what comes next. This includes evaluating negotiated resolutions, program options, and probation terms where appropriate, as well as addressing no-contact conditions, work and housing concerns, and any firearm restrictions that may apply now or in the future.
Speak With an Anderson County Family Violence Attorney Today
Being charged with domestic violence is extremely emotionally challenging. With my background as a former prosecutor and municipal judge, I could handle bond matters, no-contact orders, clarify every step of the process, and emphasize the evidence crucial to your defense. If you need an Anderson County domestic violence lawyer, contact my office for a confidential case review.
