Fighting Charges of Domestic Violence
If you are facing charges of domestic violence (DV), you are looking at a case involving electric emotions and serious changes to life as you know it. That’s why now, more than ever, you need a dedicated criminal defense attorney to protect your rights.
Who are the victims of Domestic Violence?
In years past domestic violence was considered violent crimes against someone with whom a perpetrator formerly or currently is in an intimate relationship. But today we know that DV is a crime centered on coercion and power—often in the form of violence—used to control another person. In general, DV abusers tend to escalate control over time using threats, deprivation, force, manipulation, and violence. Victims may be intimate partners, children, or even grandparents.
Types of Domestic Violence
- Spousal abuse: Abuse between intimate couples, married or otherwise, heterosexual or not, occurs when one partner exerts dominance through verbal, financial, spiritual, or physical abuse. It can include threats related to immigration status, homophobia, or harm to property, pets, or loved ones.
- Sexual assault: Pressure or force to engage in unwanted sex acts may occur between couples as a form of control.
- Child abuse: Parents, step-parents, grandparents, or even the partners of a parent may abuse a child emotionally, verbally, or physically.
- Elder abuse: Children or grandchildren who live with or care for grandparents may attempt to control using financial, verbal, emotional, or physical abuse.
- Stalking: Stalkers—whether pursuing someone physically or online, tend to harass and/or threaten their victims.
Penalties
It is a crime to commit battery domestic violence, which means physically harming an intimate partner or family member. Initial charges could lead to fines of up to $1,000,, 120 hours of community service, court ordered counseling for six months, and a suspended jail sentence. A second offense bumps the community service up to 200 hours, and adds another six months of counseling. Perpetrators may also find themselves behind bars for six months. A third occurrence means an offender is just not learning a lesson. The fine jumps to up to $5,000, and incarceration could be for as long as six years in state prison.
In the event there are aggravating factors, such as strangulation, severe injuries, or the use of deadly weapons, offenders could be sent to prison for as long as 15 years.
All of these legal penalties are in addition to having to deal with a restraining order, potentially being kicked out of your house, and even the possibility of losing contact with your children.
Fighting for Your Rights
The dedicated Las Vegas criminal defense attorneys at Lobo Law understand how devastating it can be to face extreme penalties when your situation may have involved an accident, self-defense, or even be based on false accusations. Count on us to fight for the best possible outcomes for you. To discuss, schedule a confidential consultation in our Las Vegas office today.
Source:
ag.nv.gov/Hot_Topics/Victims/DV_Nevada/
