Domestic violence cases are taken very seriously by both law enforcement and the courts. Prosecutors can select which charges to pursue based on the harm done to the victim, the severity of the act, and other considerations. If you’re facing domestic violence charges, then you need to contact a criminal law attorney for representation.
Who Is Covered Under Domestic Violence Laws?
Anyone in a relationship or former relationship with another person can be charged with domestic violence if they lay hands on them. This includes the following people:
* Spouses and former spouses
* Cohabitants of a home or former cohabitants
* Individuals who share a child
* Dating partners
Battery is a common charge in domestic violence cases, as it involves touching or striking someone or, as the law states, a “willful and unlawful use of force or violence” against a person. As a domestic violence attorney can explain to you, the two following battery charges are often applied in DV cases:
* Simple domestic battery
* Aggravated domestic battery
Simple Domestic Battery
This is a misdemeanor and you could face up to $2,000 in fines, up to a year in county jail, or both. Even a simple push or laying on hands by the defendant can result in these charges.
Aggravated Domestic Battery
If you are charged with aggravated domestic battery, you need to seek help from a domestic violence attorney as soon as you can. To be a charge of aggravated domestic battery, then “serious bodily harm” must have been inflicted on the victim.
People charged with aggravated domestic battery face a year in county jail or up to four years in prison. Along with these two types of battery, defendants can also face corporal injury charges from a spouse or cohabitant. For more information visit us. Connect with them on Facebook for more information!
