The Importance of a Criminal Defense Attorney in Domestic Violence Cases
When arguments get heated to the point where someone is injured, someone may call the police. Once reported, the incident may be labeled as domestic violence, a category that covers a variety of actions, including hitting, stalking, rape, and kidnapping.How Is Domestic Violence Defined?Domestic violence is defined as physical or mental abuse inflicted by a partner. This partner can be a husband, wife, boyfriend, girlfriend, or any other family member. This type of abuse includes inflicting bodily harm and taking measures to mentally torment someone so that they feel victimized. This can include imposing threats, blackmailing for money, withholding access to cash, and causing feelings of terror. It can result in years of mental anguish well after the case has been finalized.
Who Can Be Charged?Virtually anyone can be charged with abuse, depending on the person's age and the circumstances of the incident. If the charge results in a guilty verdict, it can mean jail time for the accused, particularly if anyone was injured or took part in serious crimes like false imprisonment or aggravated rape. The outcome of the case will vary from person to person, based on the facts, evidence, and the legal team working on the case.Why Is a Criminal Defense Attorney Needed?Anyone arrested for domestic violence will greatly benefit from the assistance of a criminal defense attorney. Serious jail time is a possibility in this type of case, so it is crucial that fair legal representation is utilized. If there are past charges of abuse that resulted in any type of injury, it is even more important to seek the counsel of an experienced legal team.If the allegations are false or exaggerated, a lawyer is needed even more. He or she will have the expertise required to prove that the charges were unnecessary. If the accusation proves to be true, an attorney may be able to secure a plea bargain in which the sentence can be reduced.
To avoid domestic violence charges, it is crucial to realize when it is time to walk away from an argument. If a disagreement becomes too volatile, take a breath and get out of the situation so that nothing escalates. For anyone who is accused of this crime, it is crucial to work very closely with a reputable criminal defense lawyer to ensure the case is tried fairly. Not going into court with fair representation can prove to be very costly.
