If you have been arrested for Domestic Violence (DV) in Las Vegas, you are likely in a state of shock. One minute you were in an argument with a spouse or partner; the next, you were in handcuffs. You may feel confused, angry, or terrified about what this means for your job, your children, and your reputation.
Stop. Do not panic. Do not talk to the police.
You are not a statistic, and you are not a criminal. You are a person in a difficult situation, and The Vegas Lawyers are here to protect you.
Domestic violence charges are unlike any other crime in Nevada. The system is aggressive, often unfair, and designed to make arrests first and ask questions later. But you have rights.
Our team is led by Vegas domestic violence defense attorney, Tony Abbatangelo, the former Chief Judge of the Las Vegas Justice Court. We don’t just know the law; we know the specific judges who will hear your case and the prosecutors who are trying to convict you. We know exactly how to dismantle a domestic violence case because we used to be the ones signing the warrants.
Do not let a heated argument turn into a permanent conviction. The moment you hire us, we step in to shield you from the police and the courts. Call The Vegas Lawyers immediately at (702) 707-7000.
Many of our clients ask us: “Why did the police arrest me when my partner didn’t even want to press charges?”
This is the most common misconception about Domestic Violence in Nevada. In our state, police officers generally operate under a “Mandatory Arrest” policy. If the police are called to a domestic disturbance and they find any evidence of a battery (even a minor scratch or redness), they are required by law to arrest the person they determine to be the “primary aggressor.”
This is where we come in. The system is on autopilot, moving you toward a conviction. We are the ones who slam on the brakes.
In a city full of DV defense attorneys, why should you trust your future to us?
Tony Abbatangelo served as the Chief Judge in Las Vegas. He has presided over thousands of Domestic Violence cases. He knows:
Most defense lawyers can only guess what the judge is thinking. We know.
Nevada law (NRS 200.485) makes it incredibly difficult for prosecutors to plea bargain domestic violence cases. Prosecutors are statutorily prohibited from reducing a DV charge to a lesser offense (like simple Battery) unless they can prove that the evidence is too weak to get a conviction.
A DV charge carries a heavy social stigma. We handle your case with complete discretion. Our goal is to resolve this matter quietly and effectively so that your employer, your neighbors, and your family never have to know the details.
Just because you were arrested does not mean you are guilty. Domestic violence cases are often “he-said, she-said” situations with little physical evidence. We use proven strategies to expose the truth.
This is the most common defense. In many DV cases, our client was actually the victim, but because they were bigger, stronger, or male, the police assumed they were the aggressor.
Sadly, the legal system is often weaponized. Is your relationship ending? Is there a custody battle on the horizon?
“Battery” requires intentional use of force. If you were arguing and you bumped into your partner, or you tried to leave the room and they grabbed you, that is not a crime. We work to show that any physical contact was incidental, not criminal.
If the only evidence is the accuser’s word, and they change their story (recant) or refuse to testify, the state’s case weakens significantly. While they can proceed without the victim, it is much harder. We know how to highlight these inconsistencies to make the prosecutor’s job impossible.
If you have just been released from jail, you are in a precarious position. One wrong move can send you back to jail without bail.
This is the most critical rule. A judge has likely issued a “No Contact Order” or a Temporary Protective Order (TPO).
Save all text messages, emails, and social media interactions between you and the accuser from the days leading up to the arrest. These are often crucial in proving your innocence or showing their motive.
The sooner we get involved, the sooner we can intervene. We can often speak to the prosecutor before charges are formally filed, potentially stopping the case before it even starts.
Nevada takes Domestic Violence (Battery Constituting Domestic Violence, or BDV) extremely seriously. The penalties escalate rapidly.
If the accusation involves “choking” or restricting breathing, it is automatically charged as a Category C Felony, even for a first offense.
The court penalties are bad, but the collateral consequences can destroy your life.
This is the one that shocks most people. Under federal law, anyone convicted of a misdemeanor crime of domestic violence is banned from owning or possessing a firearm for life.
Nevada family courts operate under a presumption that a parent who has committed domestic violence should not have custody. A conviction can strip you of your parental rights and limit you to supervised visitation.
A DV conviction shows up on every background check. It is considered a “crime of moral turpitude” and can disqualify you from professional licenses (nursing, real estate, law) and make it difficult to rent an apartment.
Understanding the roadmap helps reduce the fear. Here is what to expect:
Step 1: The Arrest & TPO
You are arrested, held for 12 hours, and released. You are likely served with a Temporary Protective Order (TPO) preventing you from going home.
Step 2: The Arraignment
This is your first court date. We enter a “Not Guilty” plea on your behalf. In many cases, we can appear for you so you don’t have to miss work.
Step 3: The Pre-Trial Negotiations
We obtain the “Discovery” (police reports, photos, 911 calls). We investigate the evidence and identify the weaknesses. We meet with the District Attorney to demand a dismissal or a reduction in charges.
Step 4: The TPO Hearing
If the victim filed for an extended protective order, there will be a separate hearing in Family Court. We represent you here as well, fighting to ensure you aren’t kicked out of your home unfairly.
Step 5: Trial or Resolution
If we cannot get the dismissal or deal you deserve, we go to trial. We select a jury (or a judge for misdemeanors) and present your defense.
No. In Nevada, the State picks up the charges, not the victim. Even if the victim signs a “non-prosecution” affidavit, the District Attorney can (and usually will) continue the case. However, an uncooperative victim makes the state’s case much harder to prove, which helps our defense.
Miranda rights only apply to custodial interrogation (questions asked after you are in custody). If the police asked you questions before arresting you, those answers can be used. However, if they questioned you after arresting you without reading your rights, we can have those specific statements thrown out.
It depends on the specific language of the order. Some orders protect only the spouse; others protect the children as well. Do not guess. Let us read the order and advise you. Violating a TPO is a separate crime that can land you in jail immediately.
Yes, unless it is sealed. If you are convicted, you must wait 7 years after the case closes to seal a misdemeanor. However, if we get the case dismissed, we can move to seal your record immediately, erasing the arrest as if it never happened.
This is the legal term for DV in Nevada. It requires a “domestic relationship” (spouse, dating, family, roommates) and a “battery” (unlawful physical force). It is important to note that you do not have to injure the person to be charged; a shove or a poke can be considered battery.
Not necessarily. Police are trained to look for the “primary aggressor,” not the “first caller.” However, 911 calls are critical evidence. If you called for help because you were being attacked, we use that recording to support your self-defense claim.
This happens constantly. Police often focus on the accuser’s injuries and ignore the accused’s. Take your own photos immediately. Photograph scratches, bruises, torn clothing, or broken property. This evidence is vital for your defense.
The decisions you make in the next 24 hours will affect the next 20 years of your life. Do not trust a public defender who is juggling 300 cases to save your reputation. Do not trust a “ticket fixer” lawyer to handle a complex domestic violence trial.
Trust the firm with the Former Chief Judge on the team. Trust the firm that knows the system from the inside out.
We are ready to listen to your side of the story. We are ready to fight for your freedom.
Call The Vegas Lawyers immediately at (702) 707-7000.
Let us stand between you and the State. We will get through this together.
If you’ve been charged with domestic violence, representing yourself or being underrepresented can be catastrophic. Don’t risk your future when you don’t have to.
Our skilled legal team will fight to ensure you get the least amount of penalties possible under the circumstances. Contact us or give us a call at 702-707-3000 for your free initial consultation today.
