Hillsboro · Beaverton · Portland, Oregon
Oregon Domestic Violence Defense Attorney — Act Now Before Collateral Consequences Set In
A domestic violence charge moves fast — no-contact orders, restricted access to your home, and impacts on family court cases can all happen within hours of an arrest. Casey Kovacic provides experienced, immediate defense for those accused of domestic violence throughout the Portland metro area.
Facing a Domestic Violence Charge in Oregon
Oregon Prosecutors Take DV Charges Seriously — So Should You
Domestic violence refers to allegations of abuse between family or household members, including partners, roommates, and children. In Oregon, prosecutors treat domestic violence accusations with particular seriousness — and the process is driven by the state, not the alleged victim.
Many people are surprised to learn that even if the alleged victim does not want to press charges or has recanted, an investigation will still continue. It is up to the discretion of the police and prosecutors — not the alleged victim — whether charges are pursued. Once a DV arrest is made, the legal process moves quickly and largely on its own momentum.
Emotional family situations — divorce, disputes over marital property, child custody battles, child visitation conflicts, and other underlying tensions — frequently give rise to domestic violence allegations. It is an area of criminal law in which false or exaggerated accusations are, unfortunately, pervasive. An experienced defense attorney knows how to identify and effectively challenge these situations.
A conviction for any Oregon domestic violence charge can have devastating effects on your employment, your family law case, your housing, and other fundamental aspects of your life. It is essential to have an experienced criminal defense attorney in your corner from the moment of arrest — and to move quickly.
Oregon DV Charges Casey Defends
Common Domestic Violence Charges in Oregon
Domestic violence is not a single charge — it is a category that covers a wide range of criminal offenses alleged to have occurred between household or family members. Casey has experience defending all of the following charges.
Assault
Assault is one of the most frequently charged DV offenses in Oregon, ranging from misdemeanor Assault IV to serious felony charges. The degree of the charge depends on factors like the alleged injury, use of a weapon, and prior criminal history.
Strangulation
Strangulation is a standalone felony in Oregon and is treated with particular severity by prosecutors. Even without visible injury, a charge can be filed based on the alleged victim’s account alone — making experienced legal defense critical from the outset.
Menacing
Menacing charges allege that someone intentionally placed another person in fear of imminent serious physical injury. These charges can arise from heated arguments where no physical contact occurred at all, and context and credibility are central to the defense.
Recklessly Endangering Another Person
This charge alleges conduct that created a substantial risk of serious physical injury to another person. It is often charged alongside other DV offenses and can be a significant felony or misdemeanor depending on the circumstances.
Criminal Mistreatment
Criminal mistreatment charges typically involve allegations of failing to provide adequate care to a dependent person, including children or elderly family members. These cases often arise from contested family situations and require careful examination of the facts.
Kidnapping
In a domestic context, kidnapping charges can arise from situations involving children or disputes over physical custody — sometimes without any intent to harm. Casey has experience defending these cases and understanding the complex interplay between criminal and family court.
Burglary
Burglary can be charged in a domestic violence context when someone enters a residence — sometimes their own former home — allegedly to commit a crime inside. The legal nuances of these situations require a defense attorney who understands both the criminal charge and the underlying domestic circumstances.
Coercion
Coercion charges allege the use of threats or force to compel someone to do or refrain from doing something. In domestic situations, these charges frequently arise from contested accounts of conversations or confrontations with few or no third-party witnesses.
Harassment & Child Neglect
Harassment charges can arise from repeated unwanted contact or threatening communications. Child neglect allegations in the context of DV cases can have immediate consequences for custody and parental rights, making swift legal action essential.
Immediate Consequences of a DV Arrest
A DV Arrest Can Upend Your Life Before Any Conviction
One of the most painful aspects of a domestic violence charge is how quickly and severely it can disrupt your life — before any court has found you guilty of anything. We understand how devastating a domestic violence charge can be, and we recognize that delay in the resolution of these cases causes painful collateral consequences for you, your family, and the children in your home.
When you are arrested for a crime constituting domestic violence in Oregon, the court will almost always impose a no-contact order — immediately prohibiting you from returning to your home or having contact with your family members, even those who want to hear from you. Violating a no-contact order, even accidentally, is a separate criminal offense.
The faster you involve an experienced defense attorney, the more quickly these orders can be addressed and the more options you will have. Casey works urgently on DV cases because he understands that every day without resolution has real costs for real people.
What Can Happen Immediately After a DV Arrest
A no-contact order is imposed — you may be barred from returning to your own home
You cannot contact the alleged victim, even if they want to speak with you — violation is a separate crime
Your child custody and visitation arrangements can be immediately disrupted or suspended
Your employer may be notified or become aware of the arrest, affecting your job
Any firearms you own may be subject to immediate surrender requirements
The arrest may be used against you in a pending or future family court proceeding
The prosecution’s case begins building immediately — every hour without a defense attorney is an opportunity lost
Long-Term Stakes
The Lasting Consequences of a Domestic Violence Conviction
Beyond the immediate disruption of a no-contact order, a domestic violence conviction in Oregon carries formal criminal penalties along with collateral consequences that can follow you for years — affecting your ability to work, parent your children, own firearms, and more.
Oregon DV convictions range from misdemeanors to serious felonies depending on the charge. Even a misdemeanor DV conviction carries significant weight — particularly in family court, where it can be used as evidence in custody disputes and can result in restricted parenting time or supervised visitation.
The goal of Casey’s representation is to achieve the best possible outcome — whether that is a dismissal, a reduction to a lesser charge, or an acquittal at trial. The earlier he is involved in your case, the more avenues are available to pursue that outcome.
- Jail / Prison Misdemeanor DV charges can mean up to 364 days in county jail; felony charges can carry years in state prison
- Fines Substantial court fines, fees, and assessments; possible batterers’ intervention program costs
- Probation Supervised probation with strict conditions including no alcohol use, no weapons, and mandatory counseling
- Firearms A DV conviction results in a lifetime federal prohibition on owning or possessing firearms
- Custody A conviction is powerful evidence against you in any child custody or visitation proceeding
- Employment A permanent criminal record limits employment options, professional licensing, and background check outcomes
- Housing Many landlords reject applicants with DV convictions, limiting housing options significantly
- Immigration DV convictions can trigger serious immigration consequences including deportation for non-citizens
Your Defense
Why Clients Facing DV Charges Choose Casey Kovacic
Experience With False and Exaggerated Allegations
Domestic violence is an area of criminal law where false and overstated allegations are unfortunately common — driven by ongoing divorce proceedings, custody disputes, or other family tensions. Casey knows how to investigate these situations thoroughly, identify inconsistencies in the alleged victim’s account, and build an effective defense around the actual facts of what occurred.
Urgency — Because Every Day Matters
Casey understands that a no-contact order separating you from your home and family is not an abstract legal issue — it has real, immediate consequences for you and your children. He acts with urgency on domestic violence cases, pursuing early intervention with prosecutors and the court to address these impacts as quickly as possible.
Criminal and Family Court Experience
Domestic violence cases don’t exist in isolation — they almost always intersect with family court proceedings involving custody, visitation, and protective orders. Casey understands how these two systems interact and works to protect your position in both simultaneously.
Eight Years as an Oregon Public Defender
Before opening his own firm, Casey spent eight years handling criminal cases — including domestic violence charges — in Multnomah and Washington County courts. He knows the local courts, the prosecutors, and the procedural realities of DV cases in the Portland metro area inside and out.
Direct Access to Casey Throughout Your Case
When you hire the Law Office of Casey Kovacic, you work directly with Casey at every stage — from the initial consultation through any hearings or trial. You will never be handed off to someone less experienced at the moment it matters most.
Time Is Critical — Act Now
Charged With Domestic Violence in Oregon? Call Casey Kovacic Today.
A DV charge can separate you from your home, your family, and your children within hours of arrest. Don’t wait — contact Casey immediately for a confidential consultation and start building your defense today.
(503) 693-8725249 NE Lincoln Street, Hillsboro, OR 97124