If you’ve been arrested for domestic violence Disorderly Conduct in Greenwich, Stamford or Darien Connecticut, you can expect to feel like it’s “5 against 1” at your first court appearance, called the “arraignment.”
Before you even have a chance to speak to the judge, the court will first listen to recommendations from the Family Relations Officer, Prosecutor / District Attorney, Bail Commissioner, your accuser, and the domestic violence victim advocate. All 5 of these parties will have a chance to tell the judge what kind of restraining order should be imposed against you, as well as make recommendations for conditions of release such as anger management, psychiatric counseling, drug and alcohol testing, and GPS ankle bracelet monitoring.
This first court appearance will move quickly—often lasting only about 5 minutes. A judge will usually accept recommendations from Family Relations. This becomes a big problem if the Family Relations Officer was provided false or embellished information by your accuser. That’s when you or your top Stamford Connecticut criminal lawyer attorney will need to speak up in court and argue for the least restrictive criminal protective restraining order.
Follow this link to learn more about how to get through your first day at Stamford Court for a Disorderly Conduct arrest, and how to avoid getting a “full no contact” protective order slapped against you at your arraignment for a Greenwich or Stamford Disorderly Conduct arrest.
If you work at night, work long hours, or work in New York City or Westchester County, then it can be a big problem if the Stamford Court orders you into “AIC” for court-ordered anger management counseling or substance abuse counseling. These classes take place several nights a week and you must be on time, no matter where you work or what your family obligations are. Luckily, the domestic violence judges are sympathetic to scheduling issues, and will listen carefully and compassionately to your lawyer’s motion to modify an AIC order. For more on how to modify your AIC conditions or get out of AIC, click here.
The domestic violence lawyers at Mark Sherman Law have been advising clients for over 18 years. The Firm publishes Connecticut’s only domestic violence website which provides people arrested for a Connecticut domestic violence crime with valuable information and resources to review before walking into court. You can also read former clients reviews of the Sherman Law Firm on Avvo.com from hundreds of our former clients. Then call us at (203) 358-4700. We’re available 24/7.
