How a Pennsylvania criminal defense attorney can help get rid of or reduce your domestic violence charges will depend on the specific circumstances of your case. In large part, it would be a matter of preparing the necessary defense. If the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, say, cannot make out certain charges. For example, if you're charged with aggravated assault, can that charge be dismissed where a person may simply be facing simple assault, charges involving strangulation, can the argument be made that the Commonwealth did not meet its burden, say, at purposes of the preliminary hearing or at trial?
It will vary, steps can be taken to have charges reduced or charges dismissed at a preliminary hearing, or if the case was going to proceed beyond at trial, it will come down to the complainant's version of events, the defendant's version of events, whether there's any witnesses, any evidence that supports either side. Obviously gathering and obtaining as much exculpatory evidence in a defendant's favor would be key.
In some limited instances, an alternative resolution can be arranged such as a diversion program. There are certain limited instances where an attorney can get a defendant to qualify for a domestic violence diversion program. Really, it does depend on the specific circumstances, the specific charges. When negotiations take place with the district attorney's office, an experienced Pennsylvania criminal defense attorney will be your best ally to help you understand and navigate the process. They should be involved as early as possible in the case.
