Being charged with domestic violence is not just stressful but also threatens your freedom, your record, and, in many cases, your immigration status. State prosecutors routinely move these cases forward even without the alleged victim’s cooperation. The system isolates you and pushes you toward a plea, which is why you need a defense team that can change the outcome.
At Erkan & Sullivan, PC, we act fast. Our defense attorneys have over 40 years of combined experience defending serious criminal charges in Massachusetts, including in local district courts. From the moment you retain us, we will take control of the process. A Lawrence domestic violence lawyer on our team will fight to protect your future with deliberate, strategic, and aggressive legal action.
Domestic violence charges are typically prosecuted under Massachusetts General Laws Chapter 265 § 13M. If the alleged victim is a family or household member—spouse, partner, roommate, co-parent, or relative—the case is treated as a domestic assault. Penalties can include:
Mandatory minimum sentences may apply if the case involves serious bodily injury, a pregnant victim, strangulation, or a prior conviction. Even a first offense can lead to life-altering restrictions. Our attorneys focus on defending these serious charges and bringing strategic insight to domestic violence cases handled in Lawrence courts. We carefully plan every step to protect your freedom and preserve your record.
For non-citizens, any admission or finding in a domestic violence case can carry consequences under federal immigration law. Even a continuance without a finding could trigger removal proceedings. That is why we do not treat domestic violence cases as routine. We do the legal work early, thoroughly, and with intensity.
Yes, but not by default because prosecutors will often pursue domestic assault cases without the alleged victim’s cooperation, using 911 recordings, police body cam footage, or witness statements. However, this does not make the case unwinnable.
We file suppression motions when police officers overstep search and seizure laws, which they often do. We challenge hearsay and expose weaknesses in evidence. Our team may raise legal defenses such as self-defense or the defense of another. If you received a no-contact order, we will assess whether it can be modified and advocate for you immediately.
This type of charge can damage your reputation, limit access to your children, and jeopardize your job, which we take seriously. Our domestic abuse defense lawyers in Lawrence have the courtroom experience and the legal strategy to fight hard and position your case for dismissal or acquittal.
Preparation and judgment determine whether domestic violence cases are won or lost. We evaluate the evidence the prosecution plans to rely on and identify where the case is vulnerable. That includes police conduct, the reliability of statements, and whether the facts support the charge being brought.
We approach these cases with the expectation that they may go to trial. That mindset changes how we build your defense. Our attorneys have represented individuals facing domestic violence charges in Lawrence and know how to position a case to gain an advantage at every stage. When he was a prosecutor, Attorney Erkan served as the supervisor of the Lawrence Domestic Violence Unit, giving him insight into the government’s tactics and strategies. We do not wait for opportunities to appear—we create them. By applying pressure early and consistently, we put our clients in the strongest possible position, whether that means dismissal, reduction, or trial defense.
If you are charged with domestic assault, every day you wait gives the prosecution a head start. An experienced Lawrence domestic violence lawyer will respond immediately to protect your rights, your record, and your future.
Call Erkan & Sullivan, PC today to schedule a confidential consultation. We will assess your case, outline your legal options, and get to work on a defense that puts you back in control.
(978) 474-0054 