Domestic Violence Allegations Require Immediate Attention
Domestic Violence in Ridgeland for individuals facing protective orders, bond conditions, and criminal charges that threaten parental rights
Burghard Law Firm represents clients in Ridgeland and throughout central Mississippi who are accused of domestic violence and are facing both criminal charges and civil protective orders that can restrict where you live, whether you can see your children, and whether you can possess firearms. Domestic violence cases often proceed on parallel tracks, with a criminal case in municipal, county, or circuit court and a separate civil proceeding for a protective order, and the firm handles both to ensure that your rights are protected and that the allegations are thoroughly investigated. False accusations are common in domestic violence cases, especially during divorce or custody disputes, and the firm works to challenge unreliable testimony and present evidence that contradicts the accuser's claims.
Domestic violence charges can include simple assault, aggravated assault, stalking, and violation of protective orders, and the penalties range from fines and probation to years in prison depending on the severity of the allegations and whether you have prior convictions. The firm reviews the evidence, including witness statements, medical records, photographs, and text messages, to identify inconsistencies and build a defense that protects your reputation and your future. In cases involving protective orders, the firm represents you at hearings to challenge the issuance of the order or to negotiate terms that allow you to maintain contact with your children and continue living in your home.
If you have been accused of domestic violence or served with a protective order in Ridgeland or the surrounding area, contact Burghard Law Firm immediately to begin protecting your rights and building a defense.
Contact Ivan Burghard & Associates, Inc. to schedule a consultation with a lawyer today. (601) 823-7100
Case Types
How Domestic Violence Cases Are Investigated and Defended
Your defense requires immediate action to preserve evidence, interview witnesses, and challenge the protective order before it becomes permanent. The firm reviews police reports, medical records, and photographs to determine whether the alleged injuries are consistent with the accuser's story and whether there is evidence of self-defense or mutual combat. In many cases, the alleged victim recants or admits to exaggerating the allegations, and the firm uses this information to negotiate dismissal or reduction of charges.
After reviewing your case, you will understand whether the evidence supports the allegations and what penalties you face if convicted. Burghard Law Firm works to challenge the prosecution's case by filing motions to suppress statements obtained in violation of your rights, cross-examining witnesses to expose inconsistencies, and presenting evidence that supports your version of events. You will also know how the protective order affects your ability to return home, see your children, or own firearms, and the firm represents you at protective order hearings to minimize these restrictions.
The firm also advises clients on bond conditions, which in domestic violence cases often include no-contact orders that prevent you from communicating with the alleged victim or returning to a shared residence. Violating these conditions can result in additional charges and loss of bond, and the firm ensures that you understand the restrictions and comply with them while your case is pending.
What You Need to Know About Domestic Violence Defense
Domestic violence accusations raise urgent questions about protective orders, parental rights, and the long-term consequences of a conviction.
- What is a protective order and how does it affect me?
A protective order is a civil court order that prohibits you from contacting the alleged victim, coming within a certain distance of their home or workplace, and possessing firearms, and it can remain in effect for up to one year or longer if extended, regardless of whether criminal charges are filed.
- How can I see my children if a protective order is in place?
The protective order may include exceptions for supervised visitation or communication through a third party, and the firm negotiates these terms at the protective order hearing to ensure that you can maintain a relationship with your children while the case is pending.
- When can I return to my home after a domestic violence arrest?
You may be prohibited from returning home as a condition of bond or under a protective order, and the firm works to modify these conditions or to challenge the protective order so that you can return to your residence if you have no other place to stay.
- Why do prosecutors pursue domestic violence cases even when the alleged victim wants to drop the charges?
Mississippi law allows prosecutors to proceed with domestic violence cases even without the cooperation of the alleged victim, and prosecutors often rely on police reports, photos, and 911 recordings to build their case, so the firm must challenge this evidence to achieve dismissal.
- How does a domestic violence conviction affect my gun rights in Mississippi?
A conviction for domestic violence results in a federal prohibition on firearm possession under the Lautenberg Amendment, meaning you cannot own or possess firearms even if Mississippi law would otherwise allow it, and this applies to both felony and misdemeanor domestic violence convictions.
Burghard Law Firm provides focused representation for domestic violence cases with an emphasis on protecting your parental rights and your reputation. Contact the firm to discuss your case and begin developing a strategy that addresses both the criminal charges and the civil protective order.