Arizona Domestic Abuse Lawyers

Protecting Your Safety & Rights in Family Law Cases

At the Law Offices of David D. White, we take allegations of domestic abuse seriously. Whether you’re a victim seeking protection or facing accusations in the context of a divorce or custody case, our Arizona domestic abuse attorneys are here to protect your safety, your rights, and your future. Domestic violence can impact nearly every aspect of a family law case, from parenting time to property division, and you need an advocate who understands the legal system and will stand by your side.

What Qualifies as Domestic Abuse in Arizona?

Under Arizona law (A.R.S. §13-3601), domestic violence isn’t limited to physical harm. It may include:

Physical assault or battery
Threats or intimidation
Harassment, stalking, or cyberstalking
Sexual abuse or coercion
Emotional or psychological abuse
Unlawful restraint or isolation
Destruction of property or animal cruelty

These acts are considered domestic abuse when committed by someone with whom the victim shares a domestic relationship, such as a spouse, partner, ex, co-parent, roommate, or family member.

Types of Protective Orders in Arizona

Arizona recognizes five types of protective orders:

Order of Protection – For situations involving domestic violence by a person with a qualifying relationship.
Emergency Order of Protection – Granted quickly when there is an immediate threat, often issued after hours.
Release Order – Imposed upon a defendant’s release from jail to ensure the safety of the victim.
Injunction Against Harassment – For cases that don’t involve a domestic relationship but still involve ongoing harassment.
Injunction Against Workplace Harassment – Designed to protect employees from harassment in the workplace.

Hear From Our Clients

Mr. David White and his team helped me navigate an extremely frustrating, complex, and protracted family law situation. Mr. White is truly the "real deal" - an expert at family law who, along with his team, will advocate fiercely for their client's best interest. The team in his office are a pleasure to work with, and each of them was a big help in resolving my case with a fair and reasonable outcome for both parties.

PAST CLIENT

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I am incredibly grateful for the assistance I received from my attorney regarding the enforcement of my child support modification and legal decision-making. He is not only knowledgeable and skilled but also has a strong commitment to his clients. I got everything I requested, and I felt supported throughout the entire process.

PAST CLIENT

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Retaining David was one of the best decisions I have ever made. Before retaining David, I had restricted parenting time for my 5 children and mom had final legal decision making authority. Even with restricted parenting time, mom was still refusing to allow any parenting time because she had a bogus order of protection against me. My previous attorney had pretty much thrown in the towel and advised me to settle with a horrible order. This was unsettling and I sought out new counsel.

PAST CLIENT

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I want to express my sincere gratitude for Mr. White and his staff for the outstanding support and dedication in handling my unusual case. Mr. White’s level of expertise have played a pivotal role in both my AZ & CA case. Mr. White is very passionate about his work. He knew exactly what to do and has always paid close attention to details. He is always there for me when I needed him and never once did I feel alone.

PAST CLIENT

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I could not have been more pleased and impressed to have been represented by Mr. White. Although I already had an attorney on retainer, this particular situation required the services of an attorney not afraid to be bold and aggressive. Several minutes into our initial consultation, I knew that Mr. White was up to the task. When you hire Mr. White, you're getting the man himself, not some junior partner as most law firms do.

PAST CLIENT

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There are not enough words to say how much of an amazing and outstanding job Mr. White did. He represented my husband in an ugly court battle for 6 months. David became very personal to us and we knew he was the perfect decision. David is an absolute hound on getting the best decision for the children and also his clients.

PAST CLIENT

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After hiring another attorney and not getting what I needed, I did a little more checking and found and hired Mr. David White. He was great from the start and did what he said he would do. Our ultimate goal was a case dismissal but would be hard to accomplish. We stayed patient through Covid but he was persistent and persuasive as well. I am so proud of him! We got the case dismissed, well he did with only a little help on my part. Great job David! He is a class act and well respected in the courts.

PAST CLIENT

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My wife needed a family law attorney for a custody dispute. I had a list of attorney's I was considering. I interviewed David and immediately knew he was the one I wanted representing her. I knew what I wanted in a Family Law attorney. I've spent over 2 decades negotiating contracts in my career, and I wanted a negotiator. David is sharp, wise and has decades of experience. David's philosophy is the child and the childs' interests come first.

PAST CLIENT

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What Counts as Domestic Violence?

Under Arizona law (ARS §13-3601), domestic violence includes more than just physical assault. It encompasses a wide range of abusive behaviors, including:

Verbal abuse or threats
Emotional or psychological abuse
Electronic harassment (texts, emails, etc.)
Violence against children
Destruction of property
Stalking, surveillance, or secretly recording someone
Kidnapping or unlawful restraint
Assault or physical harm

Responding to an Order of Protection

If you’ve been served with an Order of Protection, you have the right to request a hearing to contest or modify it. This must be done within the duration of the order and in the same court that issued it. Common defenses include:

False or exaggerated claims of abuse
Lack of evidence
Resumption of contact after the order was issued
Delay between alleged incident and filing
Claims the order was used as a tactic in a divorce or custody case

Protective Orders & Child Custody

Arizona law takes domestic violence allegations seriously when it comes to legal decision-making (custody).

Under ARS §25-403.03, a court must not award joint legal decision-making if there is a finding of significant domestic violence. Courts also consider any history of abuse when determining parenting time and custody arrangements.

If you’re in the midst of a custody case and domestic violence is a factor, we’ll help you present the facts clearly and protect your parental rights while prioritizing your child’s safety.

Additional Safety Steps

A protective order is a powerful tool, but it’s only one part of a broader safety plan. We recommend:

Informing your child’s school or daycare
Notifying your employer or security personnel
Documenting all violations and communications
Having a safety plan in place for custody exchanges

Our office can help connect you with domestic violence advocates and community resources.

Talk to an Arizona Domestic Abuse Attorney Today

At the Law Offices of David D. White, we assist both survivors of domestic violence seeking protection and individuals defending against unfounded protective orders. These situations are sensitive, emotionally charged, and carry serious legal consequences. We’re here to provide the legal clarity and support you need. If you have questions, contact us today at (480-664-4900) or fill out our online form here.

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