There is a good chance that you may have come across Domestic Violence, a crime that is taken very seriously in many parts of the world. However, Domestic Violence comes in different forms, depending on where the incident takes place. The legal consequences associated with domestic violence can range from hefty fines, time spent in jail, community service, probation, divorce, visitation rights, child custody, visitation schedules, counseling, and other related consequences. Understanding what all of these are will help you understand what you can expect if you decide to take on a Domestic Violence case.
The effects of domestic violence are often tied to the manner in which the act was committed, whether it is considered misdemeanors or felonies. There are various classifications of misdemeanours and both misdemeanours can fall under a number of state and federal laws. Therefore, you’ll want to consult with your Seattle domestic violence attorney about which state and federal laws you must abide by if you decide to press a charge against your partner.
A Seattle domestic violence lawyer may be able to reduce your charges to a misdemeanor if your partner’s behaviour is characterized by: calling too frequent, constant phone calls, repeatedly trying to get your partner back, threatening him/her with a separation, and/or sexually harassing you. If the allegations in your initial report of a criminal offence fall within these classifications, a misdemeanor charge can often be reduced to a gross misdemeanor, which is less serious than a felony charge. In some cases, however, sexual assault and/or child molestation could be classified as crimes, which means that additional criminal charges will be filed. If this is the case, your Seattle domestic violence attorney will certainly have more information to provide you.
As previously mentioned, a Seattle domestic violence attorney will be able to help you better understand what a gross misdemeanor is, as well as what you must do if you’ve been charged with this term. A gross misdemeanor is not similar to a felony, so the penalties associated with it will differ. Essentially, a misdemeanor charge can be less severe than a felony charge, but the punishment still depends upon the nature of the crime. If you’ve been charged with grand theft auto, for example, your fines will be significantly higher than if you were charged with second degree theft. If your partner has also been charged with a gross misdemeanor, he/she will be required to serve probation, perform community service, attend anger management classes, and be placed on probation, among other things.
As previously stated, if you’ve been accused of committing a sexual assault against your partner, a Seattle domestic violence attorney may be able to help you fight those charges. Many states have different definitions of “sexual assault,” and in some instances, being accused of having sex with your partner without consent can carry serious criminal consequences. In addition, some states have what are known as “idetic rape” laws that outline the exact circumstances under which a person can legally have sex with his or her partner while both are present. For this reason, it’s important that your attorney fully understands the details of your state’s laws. If he doesn’t understand the specifics, your case could be dismissed for lack of knowledge about the law.
A domestic violence lawyer will be especially helpful if you’ve been accused of committing a crime that goes beyond battery or domestic abuse. Some states, such as Washington DC, allow spouses who are the victims of spousal abuse to file lawsuits against their spouses even after the spouses have separated or divorced. Other states, such as New Jersey, require that the victim seek treatment and counseling in order to gain a fair trial. A Seattle criminal defense attorney will know whether your state has any specific laws that allow a victim of spousal abuse to seek monetary compensation for the suffering of the victim has experienced.