Being accused of a domestic violence crime can be frightening. If you were involved in an incident where a small situation got out of hand or where you were also abused, it can be frustrating to know that you face serious criminal charges while others walk away blameless. Although these charges are serious, they are not hopeless. Immediately after your arrest, there are several steps to take to ensure that your side of the story is heard. Hire an attorney.

Hiring a skilled defense attorney is the first step toward keeping your record clean. An attorney can help sort out the details of the incident and get to the bottom of what really happened. If you hire a true professional, he or she will listen to your side — not judge your actions. An attorney can help you through the bail hearing and get you out of jail.

An experienced lawyer will know how to effectively show the judge why you should be released without having to post bail or why your bail should be reduced.

Once the lawyer gets you out of custody, you are at an advantage: you can have frequent contact with your attorney. Moreover, the criminal court process will slow down, which allows for thorough investigation into your side of the story.

Meet with an attorney to discuss the event. Since this type of incident usually involves one person’s word against another’s, it is imperative that you document your side of the story and do not forget any of the details. Meet with an attorney to write down everything you remember about the hours before the event, everything leading up to the event, the event itself and everything that happened after the police arrived. The longer you wait to begin writing down your thoughts, the more you will forget. As painful as these memories are right now, they will fade with time. It is essential that you capture as much detail as possible in these notes. Leave these notes with your attorney as part of your file.

Gather records. Your lawyer and your investigator will help to obtain any records that deal with the event. They will get a copy of the police report and obtain copies of your medical records and your intimate partner’s medical records wherever possible. They will take pictures of the scene (if there is damage to the house or any objects in the house). They can investigate your case and retrieve other relevant documents like repair bills for damaged walls or broken car windows.