There are two different proceedings to be aware of if accused of a domestic violence offense in DC
It is possible that the accuser will petition the DC Superior Court for a civil protection order, which can result in a hearing. This is a civil matter and is separate from the criminal process. It is also possible that the accuser will report the alleged offense to police who will investigate the crime and forward the information to the prosecutor’s office.
If the prosecutor decides to pursue the allegations and charge the accused with the offense, it is possible for the civil matter to follow the criminal case and be set for the same date. After a person is arrested, they will go through an arraignment process and might be given the opportunity for pretrial release.
Because of the emotional and intimate nature of domestic violence cases, there is the possibility for false accusations to occur. In such instances, it becomes even more important to seek out an experienced DC attorney who can help you combat the false accusations.