Top Suwanee, GA Domestic Violence - Criminal Lawyers Near You
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3050 Peachtree Road NW, Suite 355, Atlanta, GA 30305
914 Church St, Decatur, GA 30030
75 Jackson St, Suite 402, Newnan, GA 30263
3715 Northside Pkwy NW, Building 100 Suite 500, Atlanta, GA 30327
1675 Lower Roswell Rd, Marietta, GA 30068
260 Peachtree St, NW Suite 2200, Atlanta, GA 30303
391 E Main St, Canton, GA 30114
1875 Old Alabama Road, Suite 510, Roswell, GA 30076
1050 Crown Pointe Pkwy, Suite 500, Atlanta, GA 30338
101 Marietta St NW, Suite 3300, Atlanta, GA 30303
2302 Parklake Dr NE, Suite 615, Atlanta, GA 30345
3200 Cobb Galleria Pkwy, Suite 250, Atlanta, GA 30339
1800 Peachtree Street NW, Suite 300, Atlanta, GA 30309
1201 Peachtree Street, N.E., 400 Colony Square, Suite 200, Atlanta, GA 30361
113 Glynn St S, Fayetteville, GA 30214
3538 Habersham at Northlake Rd, Building D, Tucker, GA 30084
244 Roswell St, Suite 500, Marietta, GA 30060
2230 Towne Lake Parkway, Building 600, Suite 140, Woodstock, GA 30189
152 Nassau Street, N.W., Atlanta, GA 30303
830 Glenwood Ave SE, Suite 510-203, Atlanta, GA 30316
1201 West Peachtree Street N.W., One Atlantic Center, Suite 3000, Atlanta, GA 30309-3455
235 Peachtree Street NE, Suite 400, Atlanta, GA 30303
1800 W Peachtree St NW, Suite 430, Atlanta, GA 30309
691 John Wesley Dobbs Ave NE, Suite V-138, Atlanta, GA 30312
145 15th St, Ste 1404, Atlanta, GA 30309
Suwanee Domestic Violence - Criminal Information
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What Is Criminal Domestic Violence?
Criminal domestic violence occurs when a spouse or partner commits an act (or willfully threatens with the reasonable capacity to commit an act) of violence against the victim. Sexual abuse, spousal rape, intimate partner violence, battery and assault are all in territory nearby to criminal domestic violence, and charges spurring from such allegations often take these forms as well.
Under the expanded protections afforded to victims of domestic violence via the 1994 Violence Against Women Act (VAWA), emotional abuse, economic abuse (controlling finances to control behavior and force compliance from the victim) and psychological abuse can all be considered to be forms of domestic violence.
What Is The Difference Between Civil vs. Criminal Domestic Violence?
While criminal domestic violence, and charges pertaining to any number of offenses beneath that legal umbrella, are heard in criminal court, there are civil remedies available.
Civil courts are generally called upon, in alleged situations of domestic violence, to produce a restraining or protective order in favor of the alleged victim. Such an order may call for the defendant to maintain a physical distance from the victim and other family members, and violation of this civil order can result in immediate criminal charges.
Criminal domestic violence cases have a much higher burden of proof to clear. The onus is placed on the plaintiff to prove beyond any reasonable doubt that acts of abuse did occur. Civil courts have a much lower standard of proof in terms of awarding protective orders or restraining orders, but it is a common defensive strategy employed by alleged victims to set such boundaries before proceeding to a criminal case if deemed necessary.
Is Criminal Domestic Violence a Felony?
Acts of criminal domestic violence can be charged as either felonies or misdemeanors, depending on the specific nature of the charges as well as the jurisdiction. Cases heard in federal court are almost always prosecuted as felony charges.
At the state level, domestic violence charges can range from misdemeanor offenses to felony offenses. In some states, both third degree and second degree domestic violence charges are classified as misdemeanors, with first degree domestic violence and domestic violence of a high and aggravated nature (DVHAN) being classified as felonies.
It should be mentioned that domestic violence charges could also be classified as sexual abuse, battery, aggravated battery, or similar, rather than as strictly related to domestic violence.
What Is the Penalty for First-Degree Criminal Domestic Violence?
Federal domestic violence charges typically relate to the underpinning crime, although protections afforded via VAWA allow for additional charges to be appended to larger offenses. Battery, aggravated battery and sexual abuse charges can lead to 20 years to life in prison if you are found guilty of more serious offenses.
At the state level, punishments in response to first-degree (or aggravated) criminal domestic violence typically range from two years behind bars to up to 10 years imprisonment.
What Are Other Penalties for Criminal Domestic Violence?
With third and second degree domestic abuse charges being more common than first-degree or aggravated domestic abuse charges, penalties are less severe than those listed above. Domestic battery is sometimes listed as a first degree misdemeanor with a potential punishment, for those found guilty, of up to one year in county jail. Probation and a fine of up to $1,000 may also be a penalty for domestic violence.
How Can a Lawyer Help With Criminal Domestic Violence Charges in Georgia?
All charges of domestic violence — felony or misdemeanor — should be taken seriously. A conviction could result in a sizable jail or prison sentence in addition to substantial fines and restitution.
An experienced criminal defense attorney familiar with case law pertaining to domestic violence can help guide you through the facts and discuss the material evidence to craft the best case possible.
An attorney can also often resolve your particular legal issue faster and better than trying to do it alone. A lawyer can help you navigate the legal system, while avoiding costly mistakes or procedural errors.