Home/Criminal Defense/Domestic Violence (VIF)

Criminal Defense

Domestic Violence Lawyer in Chile

We act on both sides of VIF cases — representing victims seeking protection, and providing a technical defense for the accused — because in these cases timing determines the outcome.

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Overview

What this involves

Law 20.066 governs domestic violence (violencia intrafamiliar, or VIF) in Chile, setting out urgent protective measures, penalties for the aggressor, and obligations for state agencies that receive a report. Depending on severity, a case is heard before the Family Court as VIF or before the criminal courts as habitual mistreatment or another offense — and it can move between the two.

We represent victims from the first report through to sentencing, with a focus on their immediate safety, and we provide a rigorous defense to people accused who face serious criminal and family-law consequences from a VIF finding. Speed matters on both sides of these cases.

What we handle

Urgent protective measures

Requesting orders barring approach, removing the aggressor from a shared home, and restricting access to weapons, often within hours in urgent cases.

Reports & private complaints

Advising on the most effective route — a police report, a Family Court complaint, or a criminal querella — based on the severity and nature of the facts.

Family Court representation

Representing victims through the VIF proceeding to secure a finding and lasting protective measures.

Criminal defense

Technical defense where facts have been formalized as habitual mistreatment or another VIF-related offense, including negotiating conditional suspensions or reparatory agreements where appropriate.

Custody & visitation coordination

Aligning the VIF or criminal strategy with custody and visitation matters, since a finding in one affects the other.

From anywhere

How we run this for a client abroad

Assessment first

You send the documents you have. We tell you what applies, what it costs and how long it takes — before you commit to anything.

Power of attorney

Granted at a Chilean consulate or apostilled where you live. It lets us act for you in Chile without you travelling.

We file, you get updates

Our attorneys handle the filings and appearances in Chile. You get plain-English updates at every stage.

FAQ

Domestic Violence (VIF) — common questions

What English-speaking clients ask us most about this specific service.

Does a domestic violence case go to Family Court or a criminal court in Chile?

It depends on the severity of what happened. Less severe conduct is handled as VIF before the Family Court, while conduct that amounts to a crime — habitual mistreatment, injuries, threats — is prosecuted before the criminal courts under Law 20.066. The same facts can sometimes trigger both tracks, and choosing the right one from the start matters.

How quickly can a protective order be obtained?

In genuinely urgent cases, protective measures — barring the aggressor from approaching the victim, removing the aggressor from a shared home, restricting access to weapons — can be requested and granted within hours. We prepare the request to make that urgency clear to the court from the first filing.

What happens if I am accused of domestic violence?

A VIF finding or a related conviction can carry real consequences: a criminal record, mandatory intervention programs, restrictions on approaching family members, and effects on custody and visitation. In many cases a timely, well-handled defense can lead to dismissal, a conditional suspension, or a substantially reduced outcome — but early, competent representation is what makes that possible.

Can a domestic violence case affect custody of my children?

Yes, in both directions. A finding against a parent can restrict custody or require supervised visitation, while a parent seeking protection can use a VIF finding to support a custody or visitation request. We coordinate the family-law strategy with the VIF or criminal case so the two do not work against each other.

Talk to a Chilean lawyer about a domestic violence case

Get an initial assessment in English — confidential, with no obligation.

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WhatsApp+56 9 5217 5304

Emailhola@oklegal.cl

HoursMon–Sat 09:00–20:00