Living under a protective order is stressful enough. Add in the fact that you’re still living under the same roof with the protected party, and it can feel like you’re walking on eggshells every single day. Clients tell me this all the time: they feel like they can’t breathe normally…
Getting arrested for the first time in Connecticut is terrifying. I hear the same question from almost every client after their first arrest: “Am I going to jail?” The short answer is that while jail is technically possible, in most first-offense cases, there are alternatives that can keep your record…
What “probable cause” really means—and why words alone can trigger an arrest I hear it all the time: “How can they charge me? There’s no evidence—it’s just her word against mine.” In Connecticut, that can still lead to handcuffs. Under the mandatory arrest rule for domestic cases, one sworn statement,…
I hear it from clients all the time: “We just had an argument… nobody wanted to press charges. So why did I end up in handcuffs?” The answer is one statute that catches people off guard every single day: Connecticut’s mandatory arrest law for domestic violence cases. Once 911 is…
If you’ve just been served with a protective order in Connecticut, you may be wondering, “Where will I sleep tonight?” or “How can I see my kids?” For many people, these orders come as a shock—especially when they are issued on the very first court date, often without hearing your…
Protective orders are one of the most important tools in Connecticut’s legal system to address domestic violence and family disputes. They are designed to protect alleged victims from harm, but they also carry serious implications for those subject to them. Violating a protective order can lead to severe criminal penalties,…
Domestic violence cases in Connecticut are unique in how they are defined, prosecuted, and resolved compared to other criminal matters. While an assault in a bar and an assault between spouses may involve the same physical conduct, the law treats them very differently because of the relationship between the parties…
When you are arrested on a domestic violence charge in Connecticut, your first court appearance — often called the arraignment — will happen quickly, typically the next business day. One of the first people you will meet at court is not the judge or the prosecutor, but the Family Relations…
The Law with respect to family related, domestic violence issues. Book of law with a gavel and a Restraining Order. If you are facing a domestic violence disorderly conduct charge, it can be a very stressful and confusing time. Disorderly conduct is one of Connecticut’s most common domestic violence crimes,…
In this blog, we are going to review five things that people should know about pretrial diversionary programs in Connecticut. If you have been arrested for a serious motor vehicle offense or crime in Connecticut, one option is to plead not guilty and take your case to trial. Going to…