Somerset County Domestic Violence Lawyer
Defining Domestic Violence Laws in New Jersey
Various criminal behaviors constitute domestic violence if they are committed against a close family member or a person the aggressor lives with.
The following people can be charged with domestic violence in New Jersey:
- A spouse or former spouse
- A member of the same household, either currently or ever in the past
- A boyfriend, girlfriend, or former boyfriend/girlfriend
- The other parent of your child
If any of these people has ever harassed, stalked, assaulted, threatened, criminally restrained, kidnapped, or forced unwanted sexual contact on you, or trespassed or broken into your home, you have a basis for a domestic violence charge and for filing for an order of protection.
We are also able to provide legal defense for false allegations of abuse. If you need legal help for domestic violence, call (908) 259-6673 to request a consultation.
How to Recognize Signs of Domestic Violence
Spotting the signs of an abusive individual may prove challenging, as the level of danger may start out relatively low.
At first, a person may slowly try to alienate the other party from his or her friends and family, which could be a sign of an attempt to gain control. While this can be harmful enough on its own, the intentions of the abusive party may worsen with time, potentially leading to threats of violence and, in some cases, to acts of physical abuse.
By the time a person becomes aware of these abusive tendencies, he or she may feel stuck in the relationship or even fear that leaving will bring about disastrous consequences. The abusive party may also seek to draw them back in by offering apologies and gifts, but these offerings don’t necessarily come with a guarantee the behavior will cease.
While studies suggest that the period shortly after leaving an abusive partner can be dangerous, staying with someone out of fear of the consequences could be much more harmful in the long run.
Restraining Orders in Somerset County
A restraining order is a civil protection order that the court issues to keep an abuser away from a victim of domestic violence — this may include the home, workplace and more. The abuse may include verbal, physical and mental or psychological abuse.
Depending on what the judge specifies on a restraining order, a domestic violence victim can obtain several levels of protection:
- Contact in any manner — by phone, in person, at work, home or anywhere else — may be forbidden.
- The court can require the abuser to vacate the residence, even if it is in his or her name.
- The abuser may be ordered to pay expenses related to domestic violence such as medical costs, lost income and more.
- The judge may also remove the children from the presence of such a person.
-
“Excellent Experience. Daniel Lane was very helpful and readily available. He was able to explain everything in detail and always put us at ease. He made us feel like family and handled our case as if it was his own personal family matter. Awesome lawyer. Highly recommended.”- Kaajal R.
-
“Upon meeting Steven Lane, he saw me right away and I could tell he was the lawyer I wanted to work with. He was very professional and personable. He kept in constant communication, even on weekends when I was panicking about an issue.”- Joseph O.
-
“Dan's patience and understanding allowed me to put trust in someone at a time when that was most difficult for me.”- Dominic
-
“It was a pleasure working with Dan Lane and his team. They were professional and went above and beyond to ensure that my case proceeded smoothly and in a timely fashion without any judgement. This is a great starting point for anyone looking for legal counsel for a good value with exceptional results. It is clear from the get-go that Dan is a hard-working organized individual who can think quickly on his feet.”- Former Client
-
“I was very lucky to have Mr. Steven Lane guide me through my case, as the divorce was a very challenging life event for me. He had a great sense of humor to diffuse many stressful situations. His wisdom and calmness helped to settle the divorce case peacefully and efficiently. When negotiations got tough, he was always able to find common grounds for two parties to reach an agreement. More important to me, Mr. Steven Lane is so humble and friendly, he never appears as an arrogant lawyer in a fancy suit. On the contrary, as an Asian immigrant, I felt very much accepted and respected by him and his team. I've learned so much from him while working together on my divorce case. So I highly recommend him.”- Ching F.
-
“I worked with Steven Lane and personally he is like family now. An amazing attorney I worked with him two years ago and haven’t stopped. He is emotionally invested but also emotionally removed enough to tell you what he thinks would be better. I have called him at very inconvenient hours in distress and he has been responsive and takes immediate action. Grateful for him & he also has an amazing team very polite and courteous.”- Lysette P.
-
“I recently used Eric Lane to handle a very ugly divorce I was going through. I had started with a different attorney and decided to switch to Eric and am so glad I did. He gave me the facts straight and handled me as well as my dispute excellently. I have recommended Eric to a friend already, who has also recommended another mutual friend. I would suggest to anyone who unfortunately is getting divorced to go and see him for a consultation.”- Gary R.
-
“Eric Lane and his team were very professional and helpful. During our first conversation, he took the time to help me get to know the firm and confirm that they could help me. I went in having no idea what to do and he handled all of my concerns. He made sure that I got everything I needed or was entitled to and that I understood everything that was happening. He was very effective in getting my case settled and supported me every step of the way. I highly recommend Lane & Lane for their excellent service.”- April M.
