Addiction Issues, Domestic Violence and Criminal Law: A Defense Lawyer | Attorney’s Prospective.
“It is hard to get enough of something that almost works.”
As criminal defense lawyers | attorneys who have dealt with a wide variety of interfamilial domestic violence disputes with clients who are also simultaneously struggling with addiction issues, we have come to some conclusions. Based on a combined experience of over 50 years of criminal cases and speaking with hundreds of clients who have found a way out of it, we can comfortably say that cases that involve addiction issues require a person to acknowledge the need for help before anything is to change. This can be difficult as asking or acknowledging the need for help is difficult, a loss of control and is sometimes perceived as an admission of weakness (though it is not). Whether that help comes from our consultation, support and input from a professional therapists or psychiatrists or comes from inpatient treatment, outpatient treatment, Alcoholics Anonymous, or Narcotics Anonymous or other some abstinence group, it is almost impossible to expect an individual to come to grips with addiction on their own. The very nature of addiction requires self-deception as it requires repeating behavior you know should stop. Third parties are great to help sort this out. We have seen 30-year alcoholics recover (the family could not believe it), we have seen heroin addicts recover … the list goes on. We have also seen people fail and consistently they go at it alone, do not follow up with some sort of group/treatment, do not seek help when they relapse, put no effort into learning about addiction and do not try to help others who struggle with the same issues.
This truth is why Harry Tiebout, seen by many as the godfather of Alcholics Anonymous and Gabor Mate, author of a very popular and readable book on addiction, called “In the Realm of Hungry Ghosts”, recognize this. The decision to change is personal and is within one’s own control, the ability to stay the course requires you to find support from those around you.
We have clients who wish to deal with their addiction issues in a private setting and not involve the public criminal system. We assist in this process. Short of breaking the law or violating our duties as officers of the court, we recognize our responsibility as defense lawyers | attorneys are always to our clients. There are circumstances where this is not possible and will assist our clients in taking the necessary steps to get connected with reputable and effective professionals who will be fair and unbiased. Lastly, in some situations, Drug Court, if you qualify, may be an appropriate avenue.
The decision of whether addiction plays a role in one’s life is a highly personal one. We do not force a point of view on clients, but we do ask questions. We respect our client’s decisions and only give advice or feedback when asked; however, when one is involved with the criminal system, it is clear something must change. If you are struggling with such a situation, we can and do help those who are interested in helping themselves.
The lawyers in our office have dealt with a wide variety of domestic violence cases involving addiction. Our lawyers know there is always more than one side to a story and our clients hire us because they want reliable, loyal and effective counsel who will make sure their rights are protected. Our firm has a unique blend of courtroom experience, knowledge and temperament. Consultations are free but a poor choice in counsel is not. The first step is an appointment.
