All couples have arguments at one point in time and they can get quite heated. However, suppose your neighbors call the police and based on the state of your home and your significant others’ appearance, they suspect you have committed an act of domestic violence. With this probable cause, they may be able to arrest you depending on the state you’re in and the state might charge you with domestic violence.
This can be a concerning situation even if your spouse vouches that no violence occurred, as the State may still choose to pursue the case. Learn everything there is to know about domestic violence and the charges associated with the crime.
What is Domestic Violence?
Oftentimes, when people think of domestic violence, they just think of one spouse hitting another. The truth is that domestic violence is so much more complex than simply that physical abuse. As defined by the United Nations, domestic violence is any pattern of behavior in a relationship that is specifically used to gain power or control over another person, whether that be physical or emotional.
While physical abuse is a very common form of domestic violence that occurs, emotional, psychological, and economical actions that align with this goal could also qualify. In most cases, domestic violence incidents aren’t isolated, which means that the frequency and severity often increases after the first event.
Common Forms of Domestic Violence
Currently, 1 in 4 women in the US have been the victim of physical violence which is an extremely troubling statistic, yet it doesn’t even account for the other forms of domestic violence. With that said, the most common forms of domestic violence include the following:
- A trusted person treating you roughly physically by hitting you, grabbing you, shoving you, etc.
- A trusted person makes an effort to embarrass you in front of friends and family
- A trusted person stalks or isolates you
- A trusted person decides to withhold funds from you unless you do something for them
- A trusted person sexually assaults you
The above is just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to domestic violence cases. There are far more situations that may qualify in the eyes of the law.
The Legal Punishment for Domestic Violence Charges
For those facing a domestic violence charge, it can be beneficial to understand the punishment. While it can vary depending on the type of domestic violence charge a person is facing, fines of up to $10,000 and prison sentences of up to 5 years are common. More serious forms of domestic violence can also result in additional punishments.
Defend yourself in a court of law
Facing domestic violence charges is a very serious matter. Even if you are certain you are innocent, you will need to prove your innocence in a court of law. To do this, work with an accredited criminal defense attorney who has experience with domestic violence cases. This can help to bolster the chances that your charges are dropped so that you can get your life back on track as soon as possible.