Cape Cod Domestic Violence Defense Attorney
Trial-tested defense for domestic violence charges in the Barnstable, Orleans, and Falmouth courts and across Massachusetts.
A domestic violence accusation can upend your life overnight. With a single 209A restraining order, you can be removed from your home, separated from your children, and barred from returning, all before you have had a chance to tell your side. These cases are emotional, fast-moving, and easy to over-charge.
I defend people accused of domestic offenses across Cape Cod with discretion and urgency, handling both the criminal case and the restraining-order hearing that often runs alongside it.
Who counts as a “family or household member”
Section 13M reaches well beyond married couples. It covers people who are or were married, have a child together, are related by blood or marriage, live or lived together, or are or were in a substantive dating relationship. That breadth is part of why these charges are filed so readily.
The 209A restraining order is a separate fight
A criminal charge and a 209A abuse-prevention order are two different proceedings, often on two different tracks. A restraining order is civil, but violating one is a crime, and the order itself can affect your housing, your firearms, and your contact with your children. I represent clients at both the initial ex parte stage and the full hearing.
Defending the charge
These cases frequently involve conflicting accounts, heightened emotions, and allegations made in the heat of a separation or custody dispute. I investigate the full context: prior history, motive to fabricate, inconsistencies, 911 recordings, and injuries (or the absence of them). The goal is to keep one bad night from becoming a permanent record.
FAQ: Domestic Violence
Common questions and answers regarding domestic violence charges in Massachusetts.
Can I be charged with domestic violence even if there were no injuries?
Yes. Under c. 265, § 13M, an unwanted or harmful touching is enough; visible injury is not required. An offensive touching, or even a credible threat of force, can support a charge.
What should I do if I’ve been served with a 209A restraining order?
Follow it to the letter, even if you believe it is unfair, because violating a 209A order is a separate crime. Then get counsel before the next hearing. Do not contact the protected party, and do not try to explain yourself to them. Let your lawyer do the talking in court.
Will a domestic violence charge affect my gun rights?
It can, significantly. A 209A order or a qualifying conviction can require you to surrender firearms and can jeopardize your license to carry under both state and federal law. This is one more reason to take the charge seriously from day one.
Let's Talk About Your Case Today
Your first consultation is free and completely confidential. Tell me what happened, and I'll tell you honestly where you stand and what your options are.