Best Domestic Violence Lawyers in Muttenz

About Domestic Violence Law in Muttenz, Switzerland

Domestic violence in Muttenz is taken seriously and is addressed under Swiss federal law and Basel-Landschaft cantonal practice. Violence can be physical, sexual, psychological, or economic. It includes threats, coercion, stalking, assault, sexual offenses, and controlling behavior within intimate or family relationships. Local police in Muttenz are part of the Basel-Landschaft cantonal police and work with the public prosecutor to investigate and prosecute offenses. Civil courts can issue protective orders to keep you safe, and specialized victim support services can assist with counseling, shelter, and financial help.

Many domestic violence offenses are prosecuted by the authorities even if the victim does not want to continue later. At the same time, there are civil law measures that can be obtained quickly to stop contact, remove an aggressor from the home, and protect children. If you are in danger, call the police at 117 immediately.

Why You May Need a Lawyer

A lawyer can explain your options, protect your rights, and act quickly to secure safety. You may need help to obtain a civil protective order, respond to police and prosecutor questions, and present evidence in a clear way. A lawyer can represent you as a private claimant in the criminal case to claim compensation and moral damages, and can coordinate with victim support to reduce costs.

Domestic violence often overlaps with family law issues such as separation, divorce, child custody, parenting time, and child protection. A lawyer can help you address housing, financial support, and contact rules so that you and your children remain safe. If you are not a Swiss citizen, a lawyer can advise on residence permits and how domestic violence affects your right to stay in Switzerland.

Legal counsel can also help gather and preserve evidence, request no-contact orders, seek weapons restrictions, and communicate with schools, doctors, and social services. If you have limited income, a lawyer can apply for legal aid so that you can proceed without upfront fees.

Local Laws Overview

Criminal law applies nationwide under the Swiss Criminal Code. Typical offenses in domestic cases include bodily harm, simple assault, repeated assault in relationships, threats, coercion, sexual coercion, rape, unlawful confinement, property offenses, and certain privacy violations. Many of these offenses are prosecuted by the authorities without the need for a private complaint when they occur in a domestic setting. In limited situations, prosecutors may suspend or discontinue proceedings, but victim safety remains the priority.

The Swiss Civil Code allows civil protective measures to prevent violence and harassment. Courts can order no-contact and stay-away rules, order someone to leave the shared home, prohibit approaching certain places like home, school, or work, and impose communication restrictions. These orders can be issued quickly and for a set period, and extended if risk remains.

Basel-Landschaft cantonal law empowers police to issue short-term eviction and barring orders to remove a dangerous person from the home and prohibit contact for an initial period. The civil court can then extend or adapt these measures after a brief hearing.

Victims have rights under the Swiss Code of Criminal Procedure and the Victim Assistance Act. You can be accompanied during questioning, request protective measures during hearings, ask that your address be kept confidential, and claim compensation within the criminal case. Victim support offices provide free confidential counseling, emergency housing, and can contribute to medical, legal, and shelter costs.

Child protection authorities in Basel-Landschaft may act if children are at risk. They can order supervised visitation, protective measures, or support services. Family courts consider domestic violence when deciding parental responsibility and parenting time because safety overrides routine contact.

Immigration law protects victims. If your residence permit depended on a spouse or family relationship, you may keep or renew your permit when there are important personal reasons to remain, such as domestic violence. Evidence of violence and integration in Switzerland will be considered.

Police can seize firearms and weapons and request bans if there is a risk of misuse. Breaching a court or police order can be a criminal offense and may lead to detention and further restrictions.

Proceedings in Basel-Landschaft are conducted in German. Interpretation can be arranged. Time limits for filing civil and criminal actions vary by offense and measure, so early legal advice is important.

Frequently Asked Questions

What counts as domestic violence in Muttenz

Domestic violence includes any physical, sexual, psychological, or economic harm by a partner, ex-partner, or family member. This covers hitting, pushing, strangulation, threats, stalking, constant surveillance, forced sex, financial control, and isolating you from friends and family.

Do I have to file a complaint for the police to act

No. In many domestic violence offenses, the police and prosecutor act on their own once they learn about the crime. Your statement is still very important, but the case does not depend only on you.

How can I get immediate protection

If you are in danger, call 117. Police can remove the aggressor and issue a short-term barring order. You can then ask the civil court for a protective order to extend and tailor no-contact, stay-away, and exclusion from the home.

How fast can a court issue a protective order

Civil courts can issue provisional measures quickly, sometimes within days or sooner in urgent cases, based on your sworn statement and initial evidence. A follow-up hearing may be scheduled to confirm or adjust the order.

What evidence should I collect

Save messages, emails, call logs, photos of injuries or damaged property, medical reports, and names of witnesses. Keep a dated incident log. If you see a doctor, ask for a medical certificate describing injuries and cause.

Will the aggressor be informed of my address

You can request that your address be kept confidential in criminal and civil files. Courts and authorities can communicate through your lawyer or a care of address to reduce risk.

How does domestic violence affect child custody and contact

Safety comes first. Courts can limit or supervise visits, suspend contact, or order protective conditions. Child protection authorities can become involved to ensure the child and the non-violent parent are safe and supported.

Can I stay in the shared home

Yes. Courts can order the violent person to leave the shared home and not return, even if the lease or title is in their name. This is a standard protective measure when risk is present.

What if my residence permit depends on my spouse

Victims of domestic violence may keep or renew their residence permit for important personal reasons, even after separation. Collect evidence of violence and seek legal advice promptly to present a strong application.

Can I get help with legal costs

If you have limited income and your case has merit, you can request legal aid so that the state covers court advances and a lawyer. Victim support services can also contribute to costs and coordinate assistance.

Additional Resources

Police Basel-Landschaft. Call 117 in any emergency. You can also visit the nearest police post to make a report and ask about barring orders.

Victim Support Basel-Landschaft. Provides confidential counseling, emergency support, help with medical and legal costs, and referrals to shelters.

Women’s shelter for the Basel region. Offers safe accommodation, safety planning, and advice for women and their children.

Child and Adult Protection Authority in Basel-Landschaft. Handles urgent child protection measures and support plans when children are affected.

Public Prosecutor’s Office Basel-Landschaft. Leads criminal investigations and prosecutions arising from domestic incidents.

Civil courts in Basel-Landschaft. Receive applications for protective orders, home exclusion, and no-contact measures.

Emergency medical services and hospitals. Seek treatment and request a medical certificate to document injuries.

Counseling hotlines in Switzerland. For emotional support and crisis intervention, you can call national listening services at any time. For children and teens, a dedicated helpline is available.

Next Steps

If you or your children are in immediate danger, call 117. Get to a safe place and consider contacting a shelter. Seek medical care and ask for a medical certificate to document injuries.

Write down what happened, including dates, times, witnesses, and any threats. Save messages, photos, and other evidence. Do not delete anything that might support your case.

Contact victim support in Basel-Landschaft for confidential help. They can assist with safety planning, shelter access, financial support, and referrals to lawyers.

Consult a lawyer who handles domestic violence, criminal law, and family law in Basel-Landschaft. Ask about protective orders, participation in the criminal case, child arrangements, and legal aid. Bring any documents, IDs, lease or mortgage papers, and evidence you have.

Apply for a civil protective order if needed. Your lawyer can draft the application and request urgent provisional measures such as no-contact, stay-away zones, and exclusion from the home.

If your residence status depends on a spouse, discuss immigration options with your lawyer right away. Gather proof of violence and of your integration in Switzerland.

Follow court orders and safety advice. Update authorities and your lawyer if the situation changes, if orders are breached, or if you move. With the right support, you can improve your safety and pursue the legal outcome that protects you and your family.