A person willfully inflicted bodily injury upon their spouse, or the person they are co-habiting with, and the bodily injury resulted in a traumatic condition.

Consequences for the conviction of Domestic Violence may potentially include:

  • Domestic counseling
  • Probation or parole
  • Imprisonment
  • Anger management class
  • Significant fines
  • Loss of the right to possess deadly weapons
  • Other

Likelihood of any of the above consequences depends on the following factors:

  • Prior similar convictions
  • Any other prior convictions
  • Currently on probation or parole
  • Attitude of community and court toward this type of crime
  • Degree of media attention on case
  • Mitigating/aggravating circumstance
  • Other

Defenses for Domestic Violence may potentially include:

  • Self defense
  • Insufficient evidence
  • Factual innocence
  • Other

What can you do to improve the outcome of your case?

  • Gather documentation of your good character (reference letters, employment history, community service, etc.)
  • Exercise your right to remain silent
  • Retain qualified counsel as soon as possible
  • Keep a diary of all significant events and potential witnesses (this information will help your attorney prepare the best possible defense)
  • DON'T investigate your own case

What can we do to help?

  • Early preparation, including legal research and defense identification
  • Early investigation and identification of all facts helpful to defense
  • Interview with police to minimize or eliminate the case
  • Interview with the prosecutor to minimize or eliminate the case
  • Interview all witnesses
  • Reduce or eliminate bail requirements
  • Provide emotional support to loved ones and keep informed
  • In appropriate cases, negotiate alternatives to jail
  • Get evaluation report from court approved psychologist (to show counseling may be a better alternative to jail)
  • Coordinate a private lie detector test
  • We can get appropriate motions to dismiss the case
  • We can get appropriate motions to suppress evidence

DISCLAIMER
The statement above is not legal advice! This statement is not intended to be a correct statement of law in your jurisdiction. This statement is intended to give you a very general understanding of what is involved in this type of crime. Please consult an attorney to find out what law applies in your jurisdiction.