Domestic Violence Offenses

Domestic Assault and Battery

Domestic assault and battery, or assault and battery on a family or household member, is one of the most commonly charged crimes in Massachusetts. Domestic violence charges can result from many different situations. Domestic Violence Attorneys Murat Erkan and Ryan Sullivan have represented hundreds of people charged with domestic assault and battery and similar offenses.

When a person is charged with assault and battery on a family member or roommate, the charges can end up being more severe. Often judges will order anger management, special evaluations, or “certified batterers” or “intimate partners” programs as a condition of probation. These programs can be costly, time consuming, and may result in problems in the future. In some cases, the prosecutor may be seeking jail time. For all of these reasons, having committed and experienced attorneys on your side is important from the beginning.

When there is a weapon involved (even a shoe), the victim is pregnant, or the person hit had an active restraining order, the penalties get more severe. Massachusetts has passed tougher domestic violence laws recently that have made many offenses that would have been misdemeanors in the past now felony charges. This only increases the need for a vigorous and zealous defense to the charges.

Attorneys Erkan and Sullivan have represented countless people as they face charges of domestic violence. Our ability to cross-examine the witnesses, point out problems with the prosecutor’s theory, and aggressively advocate for our clients are why we are continually sought after to handle these offenses.

Why You Need a Skilled Attorney in Your Case

Attorneys Erkan and Sullivan have been working with domestic violence cases ever since we first started practicing as prosecutors in Lawrence and Lowell. We understand that these cases can arise for a variety of reasons: an argument that gets out of hand, a misunderstanding by police that the fight was mutual, or in some cases someone using the police as a tool in a breakup or divorce. As a result, there are cases of domestic assault and battery which should not be prosecuted and where the alleged victim says that they do not want to testify.

Despite this, we always recommend getting an attorney. This is because the prosecutor can still proceed on the charges despite a victim wanting to “drop the charges” and saying they will not “press charges.” By the time you are in a courthouse, the state is proceeding with the case, not the victim. The victim’s desire to drop the case is rarely honored by police and prosecutors. Attorneys with years of experience handling these types of cases can advise you on the smartest way to proceed to get the best result possible.

For more information regarding domestic violence charges click here.

Call Our Skilled Domestic Violence Attorneys Today

If you or a loved one is charged with a domestic violence offense, call (978) 474-0054 or e-mail Erkan and Sullivan to schedule a consultation. We have personally handled domestic violence cases throughout Massachusetts including Lowell, Ayer, Concord, Lawrence, Woburn, Haverhill, and Newburyport District Courts as well as the Essex and Middlesex Superior Court. Having attorneys who have handled these cases from investigation all the way through jury trial can make all the difference. You need domestic violence attorneys who are willing to fight for you. We will fight for you.

To learn more, visit our page on common issues in domestic violence cases.