DOMESTIC VIOLENCE
Facing a Domestic Violence Charge? The Law Isn’t Always Fair — But Your Defense Can Be.
Arrested for domestic assault in Northern Virginia? Call Battlefield Law Group now. We understand how these charges happen and how to fight them.
Arrested After an Argument? You’re Not Alone — and You’re Not Without Options.
Domestic violence charges in Virginia don’t always begin with a violent act. Often, it starts with a misunderstanding, a heated argument, or a concerned neighbor calling 911.
And once law enforcement is involved, someone is likely getting arrested — even if the alleged victim tells the police they don’t want charges filed.
That’s because Virginia law requires police to make an arrest in certain domestic situations, whether there’s clear evidence or not.
What You’re Charged With
In most cases, you’ll be charged under:
Virginia Code § 18.2-57.2
Assault and Battery Against a Family or Household Member
This is a Class 1 misdemeanor punishable by:
Up to 12 months in jail
Up to $2,500 in fines
Mandatory protective orders
Court-mandated anger management or domestic violence programs
Loss of firearm rights
A permanent criminal record
If you have a prior domestic assault conviction, the charge may be elevated to a felony.
Virginia's Mandatory Arrest Rule
Under Virginia Code § 19.2-81.3, if police have probable cause to believe an assault and battery occurred against a family or household member, they are required to make an arrest, even if:
There’s no visible injury
The other party says they don’t want to press charges
You were the one who called for help
In fact, the police often arrest the person they perceive as the “primary aggressor”, sometimes without fully investigating both sides.
This often leads to one-sided charges, unfair assumptions, and innocent people being thrown into the criminal system over a situation that didn’t need to escalate.
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Call: 571-364-0500
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What if the Accuser Wants to Drop the Charges?
This is a common and important question.
In Virginia, the decision to prosecute is up to the Commonwealth, not the alleged victim. Even if your partner, spouse, or family member wants to “take it back,” the state may still pursue the case.
That’s why you need a defense attorney who knows how to:
Protect your rights from day one
Gather favorable witness testimony and evidence
Identify weaknesses in the prosecution’s case
Challenge probable cause, hearsay, and assumptions
Negotiate dismissals, reductions, or diversion programs when appropriate
Battlfield Law Group Lawyers Have the Experience to Defend You Against Domestic Violence Charges.
There’s more to every domestic violence case than what’s in the police report. We take the time to hear your side and defend it with skill and strategy.
We understand that not every domestic violence case involves violence. We defend clients who:
Were wrongfully accused
Were arrested after a misunderstanding
Acted in self-defense
Had charges filed by someone acting out of anger or manipulation
Are first-time offenders who never imagined being in this position
We fight to have charges dismissed, reduced, or diverted through first offender programs when appropriate. And if your case needs to go to trial, we’re ready to aggressively defend you.
If you’ve been charged with domestic assault or battery in Northern Virginia, you need answers — and an experienced defense. Call Battlefield Law Group today for a confidential consultation and start protecting your future.
Protective Orders Can Be Devastating
Most domestic assault arrests trigger an emergency protective order, and often a 72-hour no-contact rule that keeps you out of your home or away from your children, even before you’ve gone to court.
Violating a protective order can result in additional criminal charges and jail time.
We help you understand what you’re allowed to do, how to modify or contest the order, and how to avoid making your situation worse.
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