Criminal Defense
Spokane Domestic Violence Defense Attorney
A domestic violence allegation can upend your life immediately — often before you have had any chance to tell your side. In Washington, domestic violence is a designation attached to an underlying charge, and it brings added consequences such as no-contact orders and firearm restrictions.
We defend Spokane clients facing DV-tagged charges, protecting your rights and working to resolve the case as favorably as possible.
How domestic violence charges work
A DV tag is added when an offense is committed against a current or former family or household member. Common underlying charges include assault, malicious mischief, and harassment. The tag can trigger a no-contact order that affects where you live and your contact with family, even before trial.
Frequently asked questions
Can a domestic violence charge be dropped if the alleged victim doesn't want to pursue it?
Not automatically. In Washington, the prosecutor — not the alleged victim — decides whether to pursue charges, so a case can continue even if the other person wants it dropped.
What is a no-contact order?
It is a court order prohibiting contact with the alleged victim. Violating it is a separate crime, so it is critical to understand and follow its terms while your case is pending.
Ready to talk through your situation?
Reach a Schwab Law attorney in Spokane today.