Domestic Abuse Lawyer Minneapolis

Minneapolis Domestic Violence Attorney

Domestic violence in Minneapolis, also referred to as partner abuse, spouse abuse, or battering, occurs when one person uses force to inflict harm, either emotional or physical, on another person they have, or had, a relationship with.

It may happen between spouses and partners, children and parents, grandparents and children, and siblings. Victims can be any age, race, or sex.

Domestic violence is the single most significant cause of injury to women between the ages of 15 and 44 in the United States, more than muggings, automobile accidents and rapes combined.

Every year between 2 and 4 million women are battered, and 2,000 of these battered women will die of their injuries. Violence against men by women is also a issue, based on the August 2000 Annals of Emergency Medicine.

In a study of an inner city hospital, men reported slightly more physical violence than women (20 % of men and 19% of women), although women reported much more past and present nonphysical violence than men.

Should I hire a Minneapolis Domestic Violence Lawyer?

A professional attorney that specializes in Minneapolis domestic violence cases can help you with your domestic violence lawsuit and assist you in getting the compensation you deserve.

Minneapolis Domestic Violence Charges

What is domestic violence? Domestic violence is assault, threatened assault, and abuse which happens in the following relationships:

• Married couples (also known as spousal abuse)
• Cohabiting couples
• Persons who have a child or children in common
• People in a dating relationship or who had been in a previous dating relationship
• People who were formerly married to one another

Domestic violence covers a wide range of abuse, including spousal abuse and child endangerment.

Any threatening or violent act, whether or not the charged didn’t intend to harm or undermine the safety and security of the victim, could be grounds for prosecution under the State Domestic Violence laws.

Domestic violence cases are dealt with differently than other criminal cases. There are specified prosecutors and special domestic violence units (DV Units) within the prosecutor’s office who stand prepared to aggressively take legal action against anybody convicted of domestic violence.

Examples of domestic violence abuse:

• Threats
• Intimidation
• Annoying phone calls
• Stalking (like following the victim to and from work, and threatening the victim)

Physical assault or abuse

• Hitting
• Slapping
• Pushing
• Shoving
• Kicking
• Biting
• Pinching
• Punching
• Hair pulling
• Beating

sexual abuse

• Undesired sexual touching
• Forced sexual acts
• Criticizing sexual ability

verbal abuse

• Emotional cruelty
• Constant criticism
• Name calling
• Ignoring the victim
• Degrading remarks
• Mocking
• Taunting
• Swearing

financial abuse

• Refusing to pay bills
• Withholding money from victim
• Not allowing victim to work
• Not purchasing family necessities

social abuse

• Isolating the victim from family / friends
• Violating privacy rights of victim
• Opening and reading victim’s mail
• Monitoring and listening in on telephone calls
• Outward jealousy and possessiveness

child abuse

Child endangerment charges can be filed if the child witnesses the violence

Domestic violence charges can be filed as a misdemeanor or a felony. The way it is filed by the prosecutor is based on the significance of the claim.

Severe injuries (including major cuts and broken bones) will generally be charged as a felony. No injury or slight injury situations will generally be filed as a misdemeanor.

Both prior acts of reported domestic violence and the criminal background of the accused can also have an effect on how the case is filed—usually as a felony.

Probable Punishments or Implications:

Misdemeanors:

• Brief jail sentence (0 to 6 months County jail)
• Counseling (52-week program)
• 40 hours of community service or physical labor (Cal Trans)
• Numerous penalties
• Stay-Away order from the victim, including moving out from residence
• “No Harm, No Strike” order for couples

Felonies:

• Time in jail (time may range from 3 months in County jail to 3 years in State prison)
• Counseling (1 year program)
• 40 hours of community service or physical labor (Cal Trans)
• Various fines
• Stay-Away Order from the victim, including moving out from residence
• “No Harm, No Strike” order for couples

What if the victim wants to drop the charges?

In certain states, you can be arrested and prosecuted for domestic violence whether or not the victim doesn’t want you arrested.

In some instances, especially with spousal abuse, it is quite challenging for the victim to drop allegations against the abuser. The prosecutor can continue with the criminal case even if the alleged victim decides to not go to court.

The prosecutor is the only one who is able to drop allegations because the victim is merely a witness in a government prosecution.

Domestic violence law is complex and highly specialized. This is why it is important to secure an attorney who is experienced, skilled, and professional in counseling for domestic violence court cases.

Our skilled domestic violence lawyers in these types of cases can effectively protect those who are charged with domestic violence and take advantage of jail alternatives such as counseling and probation. Don’t rely on the advice of friends or family members.

Speak with one of our experienced attorneys. Call today to discuss the specific information of your case.

If you believe you are in danger and need to file a protective order, like a domestic violence restraining order, a civil restraining order, or civil harassment order, please get in touch with us right away for professional advice.

Criminal Defense Attorneys Minneapolis

Minneapolis domestic violence is a serious crime. Accusations of domestic violence frequently have numerous devastating consequences both inside and outside of the courtroom.

You’ll need a qualified and skilled criminal defense attorney who has the compassion and empathy necessary to boldly fight on your behalf and to help you out of this tough time. Our firm concentrates on all domestic violence and domestic abuse claims.

Domestic violence often exists in spousal relationships, dating relationships, among cohabits (people living together), divorced or separated partners, between family members, or among children.

Common domestic violence offenses include: assault, battery, criminal or terrorist threats, attempted murder, stalking, harassment, child abuse, and child endangerment.

The accuser can’t simply “make the charge disappear.” Once an accusation is made, the law enforcement agency and the prosecutor handling your lawsuit are in full control.

It is not uncommon in domestic violence cases for the accuser to “take back” what she or he previously said and/or to insist that the prosecutor should not proceed with the charges.

Even if the accuser states to have lied to the police, it is the sole discretion of the prosecutor to determine whether the charges are warranted and whether or not there is sufficient data to pursue the case.

As Minneapolis criminal defense attorneys, we use a unique combination of experience, knowledge, compassion, dedication and drive, to tenaciously fight for and protect our clients.

There are many benefits to having experienced lawyers stand for you in a domestic violence claim.

A knowledgeable Minneapolis criminal defense attorney can show the jury that they have faith in their client, by protecting her or him with both passion and compassion, will have a far better chance at persuading the jury that you’re innocent.

Many domestic violence crimes can be charged as either a misdemeanor or a felony. If convicted of a misdemeanor, it’s possible for you to receive probation and/or anger management classes. The highest sentence a defendant can acquire for a misdemeanor conviction is a year in the county jail.

If you have been charged with a more serious act of domestic violence, for example, one which involves obvious physical injuries, threats to kill or hurt the victim, or another serious form of abuse, it’s likely that you will face felony charges.

If you’ve been found guilty of a domestic violence felony, then it’s possible to be sentenced to probation. However, it is likely that you will face time in county jail or prison.

As the finest criminal defense lawyers Minneapolis has to offer, the criminal defense lawyers at our firm will strongly test every accusation and examine all possible defenses.

Common defenses, and factors in mitigation, include: self-defense, false allegations coming out of divorce proceedings, custody battles, other relationship turmoil, psychological conditions, mental illness, or crimes of passion that are the result of jealousy, anger, or infidelity.

In addition to counseling you in the criminal courts, we work closely with you, your family, and your loved ones to get the greatest final result for you. We will even work closely with your family law attorney in any divorce proceedings as they relate to the criminal case.

Of all the criminal lawyers Minneapolis has to consider, there are no equivalent criminal defense attorneys in the area who have enough knowledge, dedication, passion and tenacity of our firm. We will offer you the best service a criminal law lawyer in Minneapolis can offer.

For a no cost, confidential consultation with our criminal defense attorney, contact us now.

We have extensive experience counseling domestic violence claims throughout Minneapolis and the surrounding areas.

Call our offices today for a free consultation.