Understanding Domestic Violence Charges
If you or a loved one have been arrested on a domestic violence charge, it’s undeniably a scary and stressful situation. Knowing how to handle a domestic violence charge and what to expect can help you and your attorney sort through the red tape and ease some of your frustrations and fears. Here’s what you need to know.
Domestic Violence in Milwaukee
A person in Milwaukee may be charged with domestic violence if the following actions are committed against someone with whom the perpetrator has a child in common, someone the perpetrator lives with or used to live with, or the perpetrator's spouse or former spouse:
- Causing physical pain, injury, or illness.
- Intentionally impairing a physical condition.
- Perpetrating a sexual assault.
- An act that may cause the accuser to fear that any of the above will occur.
Extra Circumstances for Domestic Violence Cases
A conviction on a domestic violence charge does mean that you may be susceptible to obtaining additional jail time. The accuser of domestic violence may also receive a restraining order against you. Lastly, you may be ordered to undergo therapeutic counseling as part of a sentence.
Challenges Associated with Domestic Violence Charges
The prosecution tends to have the following challenge specific to domestic violence charges:
Alleged Victims Fail to Testify.
When alleged victims do report domestic violence to the authorities, they often have a change of heart and refuse to testify during the trial. You have the right to confront your accuser, so your accused is required to appear in court. When they fail to appear, the prosecutor may have to drop the charges against you.
Contact a Domestic Violence Lawyer for Help
You are not automatically guilty of domestic violence because of an accusation. When it comes to an arrest for domestic violence, it’s imperative that you or your loved one talk to an experienced criminal defense lawyer as soon as possible. If you’ve been arrested and charged with domestic violence, we can help.
Contact The Law Offices of Jason D. Baltz today at (414) 375-0797 to learn your rights.