While assault, battery and threats of violence are already illegal in Fairfax County, Virginia, the penalties and collateral consequences are more serious when the crime occurs between two people related by blood or marriage or who were previously in a romantic relationship.
The designation of a domestic relationship is usually defined to include a boyfriend and girlfriend, a husband and wife, gay or lesbian couples, a mother and father who have a child in common, or family members closely related by blood or marriage (particularly parents, children and siblings).
Many domestic violence cases also involve filing for a petition for protection (often called a "restraining order" or "injunction") against domestic violence.
Criminal charges can follow an allegation of a violation of an injunction for domestic violence. Related charges include stalking, cyberstalking and harassment.
Founded in 1958, NACDL is the largest organization for criminal defense lawyers fighting to preserve fairness within America's criminal justice system. The organization has more than 10,000 direct members including criminal defense attorneys in private practice, public defenders in state or federal court, U.S. military defense counsel, law professors and judges.
The VACDL in Richmond, VA, originated in 1992. As an affiliate of the National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers (NACDL), this non-profit organization supports local criminal defense attorneys throughout networking opportunities, quality CLE seminars, and mentorship programs.
Lawyer Referral Service (LRS) of the Fairfax Bar Association - For more than 20 years, the Fairfax Bar Association has sponsored a non-profit Lawyer Referral Service that helps individuals and businesses find a qualified attorney in Fairfax County, Northern Virginia County, Prince William (Manassas) County, Loudoun County, and Stafford County, VA. Each year, the staff takes more than 10,000 calls and makes more than 3,000 referrals to individuals and businesses searching for a local attorney.