Visalia Domestic Violence Lawyer | Hanford Domestic Violence Defense Attorney
Domestic violence is a term used to refer to physical or threatened abuse that has occurred in any of the following relationships:
- Married or cohabitating couples
- Individuals who have a child or children in common
- People who have formerly been in a relationship with one another.
It happens when one partner tries to maintain control of the other through use of physical force, intimidation, or threats. Though it is illegal to engage of any of those activities against anybody, if the alleged victim is your fiancé, spouse, cohabitant, dating partner, or the parent of your child, domestic violence laws take the allegations much more seriously and hand out much more severe punishments for the convicted.
Know Your Rights
Domestic violence laws cover a wide spectrum of abuse, including sexual assault, stalking, threatening, destroying personal property, and child endangerment. This is not limited to just hitting – it also includes kicking, shoving, pushing, pulling hair, and throwing things. It even encompasses physical abuse of family pets. Any threatening or violent act, even if unintentional, could be grounds for prosecution Abuse does not need to be physical; it can be verbal, emotional, or psychological as well.
Domestic Abuse Is a Serious Crime
Domestic abuse cases are treated differently from other criminal cases, as there are designated prosecutors and Special Domestic Violence Units to aggressively prosecute anyone charged with domestic violence crimes. Strong legal representation is important to ensure the best outcome for your future.
Unfortunately, domestic violence crimes are an area of the law where angry or jealous partners often falsely accuse individuals. Sometimes what appears to be a domestic assault might actually be an accident or misunderstanding. Sometimes an individual acting in self-defense may be accused of domestic abuse. Whatever your situation, Michelle D. Wallis can help. Call the office at 559-713-6363 to find out how.