Domestic Violence Defense in Harnett County

The Law Offices of Wunsch and Cruz represents people accused of domestic violence-related offenses in Harnett County and surrounding communities, including clients in Lillington, Spring Lake and Angier. If a charge has left you unsure about contact, housing or children, contact our Lillington office about criminal defense representation. We review the evidence and court papers to help you understand those overlapping concerns.

Read the release conditions first

Release from custody does not mean that ordinary routines can resume without restrictions. Conditions may limit contact or require you to stay away from someone's home, school or workplace. The terms of your own order matter. Keep a copy and ask your attorney to explain anything unclear before taking action.

If restrictions affect where you can live, collect belongings or exchange children, raise those practical issues with counsel. Do not assume that a shared address, joint property or a parenting arrangement creates an exception.

Can we agree to have contact?

An invitation or private agreement does not change a court order. Do not treat an incoming message as permission to disregard a no-contact restriction. Ask about calls, texts, social media and messages sent through other people if you are unsure what the order covers. Any needed change should be addressed through the court rather than worked around privately.

Build a complete account of what happened

Bring the charging papers, release conditions and all related orders. Useful preparation also includes:

• A factual timeline separating the incident from earlier or later events.
• Original messages, photographs and recordings you lawfully possess, with their context preserved.
• Names of witnesses and what each person may have observed.
• Notices for any related protective-order or family-court hearings.

Give this information to your attorney. Do not contact the other person to discuss testimony or ask someone else to do so in violation of a restriction.

A criminal charge and a DVPO are different cases

A domestic violence protective order, or DVPO, is a civil court order, not a criminal conviction. A criminal prosecution and a DVPO proceeding can arise from the same event and may have separate hearing dates. Violating a DVPO can lead to criminal charges.

Tell counsel about both proceedings and follow every applicable order. For help seeking or responding to a civil order, see our DVPO services; this page focuses on criminal defense.

What if the other person wants the charges dropped?

A complaining witness cannot dismiss a criminal charge. The prosecution is brought by the State, and only a prosecutor or judge can dismiss it. A request for dismissal does not itself end the case or change an order.

For help with a domestic violence-related charge, speak with our Lillington office about your case and any current restrictions. Have the charging papers and related orders available. You can also read about assault defense. If you are in immediate danger, call 911.