Arrested for domestic violence, out on bond, or waiting to see if a charge is coming?
Macomb & Oakland County Domestic Violence Attorney
Take a breath. Maybe the police were at your door last night. Maybe it was days or weeks ago, and you are staying somewhere else now because a no-contact order keeps you from going home. Maybe nothing has been filed yet, but you can feel it coming. Wherever you are in this, the worry is the same: your freedom, your job, your name, your home, and the people you love.
Those are the right things to worry about, and they are the things Scott can start working on. You do not have to face this alone, and you should not try to talk your way out of it. The right move is simple: stay quiet, do not contact the other person, and call someone who handles these cases every week.
Call Now — (586) 243-4140A live person answers 24/7. Your first consultation is free. You do not need to have it figured out before you call. Just call, and Scott takes it from there.
What a domestic violence charge really puts at risk
This is not only about a fine or a court date. A charge can affect your job, your reputation, your home, your right to own a gun, and your relationships with the people closest to you. If you have children, it can reach into custody and parenting time too. The accusation alone can feel like it already decided everything.
Here is what is worth holding onto: an accusation is not a conviction, and these cases have more give than they feel like right now.
If there is a no-contact order, understand this part first
When you were released, the court may have ordered you to have no contact with the other person. That means no calls, no texts, no driving by, and no messages passed through someone else. It holds even if they reach out to you first. It holds even if you have children together. It holds even if both of you want it gone.
Here is the part nobody explains: most people who break a no-contact order are not trying to. They send one text to check on the kids. They answer when the other person calls. They go back for their own things. It is human, and it is also the fastest way to end up back in jail with a harder case to defend. If something needs to change, like seeing your kids or getting into your home, that is exactly what Scott is for. Let him take it to the court the right way.
Understanding the Charge
In Michigan, a domestic violence charge comes from an accusation of assault or battery against someone close to you: a spouse or ex, a dating partner, a co-parent, or another household member. These cases often start with a 911 call in a heated moment. Once police show up, an arrest is almost certain.
Here is what surprises most people: once the charge is filed, the other person cannot just "drop it." The prosecutor controls the case, not the alleged victim. That is exactly why you need someone who knows how to question the evidence, protect your rights, and push for the best result.
Scott defends domestic assault cases across Southeast Michigan, in Macomb, Oakland, Wayne, and St. Clair counties and throughout Metro Detroit, from first-offense misdemeanors to felony charges. He knows how these cases are built, and he handles them with discretion and respect. No judgment.
When a domestic violence charge is filed, your case starts in the district court for the city where it happened. Scott regularly appears in the 41A District Court (Sterling Heights and Shelby Township), the 41B District Court (Clinton Township), the 37th District Court (Warren), and the 39th District Court (Roseville and Fraser). Felony cases move to the 16th Circuit Court in Mt. Clemens.
Free initial consultation — ask questions and learn your options before you commit to anything.
Potential Penalties
| Offense | Penalty |
|---|---|
| Domestic Assault (1st Offense) | Up to 93 days in jail, up to $500 fine |
| Domestic Assault (2nd Offense) | Up to 1 year in jail, up to $1,000 fine |
| Aggravated Domestic Assault | Up to 1 year in jail, up to $1,000 fine |
| Felony Domestic Assault (3rd+) | Up to 5 years in prison, up to $5,000 fine |
Free initial consultation — get clear guidance on what you are up against and what to do next.
A domestic violence case can be more defensible than it feels right now
The first hours feel hopeless. They are not. Real defense work starts early and looks at the whole picture:
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A no-contact order from your first court date is not always the last word. When the circumstances are right, it can sometimes be eased, but the foundation is the evidence in your case.
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The story behind the 911 call is not always what the report says. Memories, motives, and missing physical evidence all matter.
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Not every accusation matches what happened, especially during a divorce or custody dispute. Scott knows how to test the claims and protect your name.
Scott cannot promise a result, but he works hard to get you the best outcome possible.
Why Scott for This Case
- ✓Understands the emotional and legal complexity of domestic cases
- ✓Experienced with no-contact orders and bond conditions
- ✓Handles false domestic violence accusations head-on and strategically
- ✓Regularly appears in Macomb, Oakland, St. Clair, and Wayne County courts
- ✓Discreet, professional, and non-judgmental representation
- ✓Works to keep a first offense off your permanent record
Free initial consultation — speak with Scott about strategy and next steps at no upfront cost.
What happens after a domestic violence arrest
Most of this is out of your hands at first, so here is the path, just so you are not guessing.
- 1.
Police are called.
If officers believe there is probable cause, someone can be arrested even if the other person says they do not want to press charges.
- 2.
Booking.
The arrested person is booked and usually held until a judge or magistrate sets bond, often within a couple of days.
- 3.
Arraignment.
The judge explains the charge, sets bond, and usually adds conditions. In domestic cases the big one is a no-contact order: no calls, texts, social media, messages through other people, or going home unless the court allows it.
- 4.
The prosecutor decides, not the alleged victim.
The prosecutor reviews the police report, the 911 call, body cam, photos, and statements, then decides whether to file, reduce, dismiss, or move forward. This is usually a misdemeanor for a first offense.
- 5.
Pretrial.
This is where having Scott matters most. He reviews the evidence, finds out exactly what the prosecution has, and works toward a dismissal, a reduction, a deferral that can keep it off your record, or trial if it comes to that.
- 6.
Do not violate the no-contact order.
This is the one that sends people back to jail. Even if the other person texts first, invites you over, or says it is fine, only the judge can change the order. Let Scott handle that with the court.
A live person answers 24/7. Your first consultation is free.
A real conversation, and an honest assessment.
Some lawyers will say whatever it takes to get you in the door. Scott will not. When you sit down with him, he tells you the truth about your case: what is possible, what is likely, and what it will take to get there. If he is the right person to defend you, he will say so. If he is not, he will tell you that too.
This is your future. You deserve someone who is honest with you from the very first call.
Call Now — (586) 243-4140Frequently Asked Questions
The Right Move Is the One You Make Right Now.
Every day that passes without the right attorney in your corner is a day the other side uses to build their case.
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A live person answers every call — 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
(586) 243-4140Law Offices of Scott E. Rabaut
38600 Van Dyke Ave., Suite 200
Sterling Heights, MI 48312
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