Texas Spousal Abuse Defense Lawyer Protects the Accused

Determined advocate for charges related to family violence

Charges of spousal abuse can be devastating on many levels. You face a criminal process that can result in fines and imprisonment. You can be denied contact with your children before allegations against you are ever proven. Finally, your reputation can be ruined and your career imperiled, especially if you work in a prominent, client-facing position.

Spousal abuse cases demand a robust and well-orchestrated defense. The Law Offices of Kevin L. Collins, P.C. has more than 30 years of criminal law practice experience. A former prosecutor, Mr. Collins is board-certified in criminal trial defense by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization and the National Board of Trial Advocacy. He is skilled at carefully crafting defensive strategies to combat domestic violence charges.

Motivations behind allegations of spousal abuse

Spousal abuse has long been a societal problem and needs to be dealt with seriously. However, family violence laws can be misused by aggrieved spouses for a variety of reasons, such as:

• Tactical advantage in a divorce proceeding — Domestic violence allegations can impact divorce proceedings in a number of ways. One spouse can have a restraining order issued, forcing the other spouse out of the home and separating him or her from the children. This creates emotional leverage for a settlement on the complaining spouse’s terms. Spouses alleging abuse can sometimes obtain more favorable property division terms. Finally, the complaining spouse can often convince a judge to waive the 60-day waiting period for a divorce.
• Leverage in child custody disputes — Courts are naturally leery about awarding custody to a parent with a history of violence. A spouse who wants full custody and/or wants to thoroughly alienate the children from the other parent can use allegations of abuse as a strategy.
• Revenge for past offenses — Some spouses are vindictive and harbor grudges over past slights, real and imagined. They file spousal abuse charges to harm the other spouse emotionally, socially and professionally.

If you have had false allegations of spousal abuse filed against you, you are entitled to a vigorous defense.

Penalties for spousal abuse in Texas

When spousal abuse allegations are proved, the accused faces penalties that start at one year in jail and a fine for a Class C misdemeanor. The worst cases of spousal abuse can lead to first-degree felony charges. Convictions carry penalties of five to 99 years in prison and fines of up to $10,000.

Even if the facts of the case are against you, Kevin L. Collins still fights to secure a positive resolution by getting charges and sentencing reduced whenever possible.

Contact a board-certified criminal defense lawyer for spousal abuse charges in San Antonio

The Law Offices of Kevin L. Collins, P.C. in San Antonio provides aggressive defense for people accused of spousal abuse. To schedule a consultation, call us at 210-598-8629 or contact us online. We are conveniently located at the IBC Centre, 130 East Travis Street, easily accessible from I-35 and I-37.