Seattle Domestic Violence Attorney – Victim Representation

Upset woman gives report of incident

Jennifer Horwitz Law has extensive experience representing the person who has been named as the victim in a domestic violence criminal offense. Sometimes that person needs help getting the prosecution to understand the seriousness of the offense so that the case can be prosecuted to the full extent of the law. Jennifer Horwitz has experience representing people who have been victimized to assist them in having their voices heard and considered in the legal system.

More often, the person named as the alleged victim needs their own attorney because they do not want their partner or family member prosecuted and they do not feel that they are actually the victim of domestic violence. Domestic violence cases often result from calls made to the police by one party to end a verbal fight or conflict, with no intention that either party be arrested by police. Sometimes a third party sees or hears something they mistakenly believe is domestic violence and calls the police, thereby initiating a prosecution against someone who, in fact, did not commit a crime. The person named as the victim in such a situation may need the assistance of an experienced attorney to help convince the prosecutor that the case should never have been charged and should be dismissed. Often, it is the alleged victim’s attorney who can move a case to a dismissal more effectively than the attorney for the person charged.

Jennifer Horwitz Law has extensive experience representing alleged victims in domestic violence cases who want to see the prosecution terminated and the case dismissed. She has won dismissals in numerous cases on behalf of people named as victims in domestic violence cases. Jennifer has represented named victims in both circumstances to assist them in obtaining their desired outcome in a domestic violence prosecution.

A Domestic Violence Attorney Has Extensive Experience Representing Named Victims In Seattle and King County

If you have been named as a victim in a domestic violence case in King County and in the greater Seattle, Washington area, you will not find a more skilled or experienced domestic violence attorney than Jennifer Horwitz. After retaining Jennifer Horwitz Law, you will feel empowered by the professionalism, knowledge and specific experience with these cases that Jennifer will bring to your representation.

Jennifer Horwitz is a graduate of Harvard Law School. She will handle all aspects of your case personally and will not farm out any tasks to less experienced attorneys as other firms often do. She has handled domestic violence cases for over 25 years and is familiar with the particulars of the many courts she appears in and prosecutors she deals with. Jennifer brings legal knowledge, common sense and a practical approach to her cases. Her clients consistently report that she is a clear communicator, an able strategist, and an empathetic listener. Jennifer Horwitz has extensive experience representing clients who identify as part of the LGBTQ community.

What constitutes Domestic Violence?

Crimes committed by one family or household member against another are defined as domestic violence. Domestic violence also includes crimes by romantic partners or ex-partners against each other. If you have been or are alleged to have been the victim of any of the following acts and the accused is a family or household member or a current or previous intimate partner, Washington state law considers you a domestic violence victim:

  • Assault
  • Burglary
  • Harassment
  • Criminal trespass
  • False imprisonment
  • Kidnapping
  • Property damage
  • Rape or other Sexual Assault (these can both be domestic violence and sex offenses)
  • Reckless Endangerment
  • Stalking or Cyberstalking
  • Violation of a protection order or no contact order
  • Interfering with Domestic Violence Reporting

Who can be accused of Domestic Violence?

Any of the following individuals may be charged with domestic violence offenses:

  • Spouses and former spouses
  • Domestic partners and former domestic partners
  • Individuals you have had child with
  • Adults related to you by blood or marriage
  • Adults with whom you live now or have lived previously (e.g roommates, boarders)
  • People over the age of 16 with whom you have lived or been romantically involved
  • People over the age of 16 whom you are dating
  • Parents and children (including stepparents and stepchildren)

Any questions you have regarding domestic violence charges against another person and your status as a named victim in the case will be discussed during your initial consultation with Jennifer Horwitz.

Mandatory Arrest as a Result of a Domestic Violence Report

According to Washington State law, any law enforcement officer responding to an incident of domestic violence must arrest the person being accused of the crime if that officer has probable cause to believe that a domestic violence offense has been committed. The prosecution will then evaluate the circumstances of the arrest and the evidence in the case in deciding whether or not to bring charges. Many domestic violence prosecutions are initiated because someone reported that a threat or an assault occurred. These cases may be prosecuted even in the absence of any other corroborating evidence.

Mandatory arrest is also required if a Protection Order or No Contact Order has been violated. Once you or someone else has called the police, the situation is taken out of your hands by law enforcement. This can be very frustrating both for people named as the victim who have actually been victimized and even more so for alleged victims who never wanted the case prosecuted and feel strongly that the case should be dismissed.

Steps Jennifer Horwitz Can Take on Your Behalf

  • Jennifer will meet with you to understand what the case is about from your perspective and help you figure out your goals in the case.
  • Jennifer will review the no contact order with you, if one was issued, and help you approach the court if you would like to request that the order be modified or lifted.
  • Jennifer can work with defense counsel for the accused, if both the accused and the named victim authorize the attorneys to work together, to come up with a global strategy for reaching the best possible outcome in the case
  • Jennifer can approach the prosecutor to make your perspective and wishes on the case known and considered in how the prosecutor handles the case.
  • Jennifer can advise you regarding receipt of a subpoena to testify in the case.
  • Jennifer can analyze the evidence in the case with you, including any prior statements made by you, photos taken and the 911 call
  • Jennifer can discuss with you the history of the relationship and whether there have been any domestic violence incidents in the past
  • Jennifer can help navigate practical issues, such as dealing with children, getting personal property and paying bills when no contact orders may prevent the alleged victim and the accused from handling these matters together.

Contact Jennifer Horwitz Law – Attorney for Seattle Domestic Violence Victim Representation

Once Jennifer Horwitz accepts your case, she will listen carefully to the details of your side of the story and take the necessary follow-up steps to develop your position in the case. For each case the follow-up steps are different, but they can involve examining prior statements you may have made to the police or 911, pictures in the case or body camera video, speaking to witnesses who may have pertinent facts, and even speaking with medical or mental health providers, where relevant. Jennifer is fully prepared to work with prosecutors and the accused’s attorney (when appropriate) to bring the situation to the best possible conclusion. Please give her office a call or fill out the contact form to schedule a consultation.

Jennifer Horwitz helps victims of domestic violence in Seattle and all throughout Washington State and King County including Bellevue, Issaquah, and Sammamish.