Douglasville Domestic Violence Lawyer

Trusted Domestic Violence Attorney in Douglasville, GA

If you have been accused of domestic violence, you know firsthand the impact even an accusation can have on your life. A conviction could result in a permanent mark on your criminal record. It could also cause you to lose job opportunities or cause irreparable damage to your reputation. To minimize the consequences of a domestic violence charge, you should enlist the help of an experienced Douglasville domestic violence lawyer. 

Connect with a Top Douglasville Domestic Violence Defense Attorney

Facing criminal charges can be daunting and scary. You need an attorney with the knowledge and experience it takes to adequately defend you. Christy E. Draper approaches each domestic violence case with empathy, respect, and the understanding that no one is defined by their worst days. Whether you are guilty of the charges against you or not, we are here to support you and be a strong ally throughout the legal process.

Attorney Christy E. Draper has been defending Douglasville-area individuals against criminal charges for more than 20 years. She is a skilled lawyer who is involved with the Georgia Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers and is a member of the National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers. She is a tenacious advocate for her clients. No matter how complex your situation may be, she has what it takes to help you through it. 

Domestic violence is an unfortunately common occurrence across the United States. Georgia is no exception to this. There were over 42,184 incidents of family violence reported in Georgia in 2024. Thirty-five percent of those resulted in an arrest. If you’ve been arrested for domestic violence, you’re not alone.

What is Considered Domestic Violence in Douglasville?

According to Georgia’s domestic violence laws, family violence occurs when a crime is committed against a current or former member of the offender’s household. Domestic violence may involve any of the offenses listed below:

• Assault
• Battery
• Stalking
• Criminal property damage
• Criminal trespass
• Unlawful restraint

Potential Penalties for Domestic Violence in Georgia

Because the offenses that constitute domestic violence are so varied, the penalties for domestic violence span a wide range of consequences. Most domestic violence incidents result in misdemeanor charges. In general, misdemeanors can result in fines, community service, mandated anger management classes, and possible jail time. Jail sentences for misdemeanors cannot exceed one year. 

Some domestic violence incidents result in felony charges when the offender’s actions are particularly egregious or violent. For example, a person might be charged with a felony if the domestic violence incident involved assault with a deadly weapon or assault that resulted in serious bodily harm. A second offense domestic violence charge is an automatic felony.

Why You Should Hire a Domestic Violence Lawyer

Any time you are charged with a crime, you should waste no time in building your defense. If you have had domestic violence charges filed against you, you should hire a domestic violence lawyer as soon as you can. Even if you think charges may soon be filed in reference to an incident, call an attorney. Your attorney can help you from the very beginning of the criminal justice process by helping to protect your constitutional rights during the proceedings.

When police officers arrest people and collect evidence to support criminal charges, they must follow stringent procedural rules. When the rules are broken, it can result in violations of the defendant’s constitutional rights. Evidence that is procured through illegal means is usually inadmissible in court, so if there are mistakes in your case, your attorney can challenge the validity of the affected evidence, or even the entire charge.        

Potential Defenses for Domestic Violence Charges

There is a wide variety of potential defenses your attorney might employ to defend you against domestic violence charges. The most effective strategy often depends on the circumstances of the incident in question. Some examples of strategies attorneys might use to defend a person accused of domestic violence are listed below:

• No basis in fact. If you did not commit the offense of which you are accused, you can challenge the factual validity of the charges against you. This is often difficult to do because the situation becomes a case of your word against the alleged victim’s, but sometimes, evidence like text messages, emails, and voicemails can support this defense.
• Self-defense. If you were defending yourself against the alleged victim when the incident took place, your actions may be deemed lawful.
• Accident. If you did harm the alleged victim, but the harm was not intentional, your attorney may be able to argue that the harm was an accident. 

FAQs

How Much Does a Douglasville Domestic Violence Defense Attorney Cost?

Attorney fees vary significantly from practice to practice, even within a small area like Douglasville. Most lawyers charge by the hour, and many require an up-front fee called a retainer to begin working on a case. Remember that when you choose a defense lawyer, your attorney’s experience and skill can have a significant bearing on the outcome of your case. 

What Court Handles Domestic Violence Cases in Douglasville?

In Georgia, most misdemeanor cases, including most cases of domestic violence, are handled at the municipal court level. For Douglasville residents, proceedings take place at the Douglas County Courthouse, which is located at 8700 Hospital Drive. This courthouse also houses the Douglas County Superior Court, which handles felony domestic violence cases and protective orders. 

Is Jail Time Mandatory for a Domestic Violence Conviction?

No, jail time is not mandatory if a person is convicted of domestic violence in Georgia. Although misdemeanor domestic violence offenses can be punished by jail sentences of up to one year, judges don’t need to impose this. Many first-time offenders are punished with fines, anger management courses, or probation instead of jail.  

Can a Person Convicted of Domestic Violence Own a Firearm in Georgia?

Usually, no. Under federal law, a person who has been convicted of domestic violence, even misdemeanor domestic violence, cannot lawfully possess a firearm. This federal law applies in all states, including Georgia. In rare cases, if a conviction is discharged or overturned, a previously convicted person may become eligible to own a firearm again. 

Contact Local Douglasville Lawyer Christy E. Draper

If you need help defending yourself against domestic violence charges, reach out to a seasoned attorney who knows how to advocate for you. Contact Christy E. Draper, LLC, to discuss your case with an experienced, local law firm.

Client Testimonials

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“Mrs.Draper and Kadee are both awesome at what they do, very sweet and helpful. They took very good care of me and did everything I wanted and needed them to do for me! I have to say she is the best around! You will not be disappointed! She is very well respected in the courtroom, too. You can just see when she is in there that she isn’t new to this type of stuff!”
— Matthew Odom.

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“Christy and Jon are now My family. We have been together for a year and when I was stressing they were patient because they had me from the beginning they have gone over and beyond for me and they my straight TEAM. I came from jail and my kids in DFACS to the picture you see. Words cannot describe how much I love and appreciate them. Just absolutely amazing and how they have helped me me through the hardest time of my life. We came out the mud. Christy and Jon does whatever I need they’ll go to War and they not about to play about me. When you hire Christy you’re going to be in amazing hands. The absolute best!!!!” — Dasja Barnes

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