Phoenix Domestic Violence Lawyers 

The domestic violence lawyers in Phoenix, Arizona at Oliverson Law, PLLC may be able to help you if you are facing charges of domestic violence. The State of Arizona offers many resources for victims of domestic violence, including transitional housing, emergency shelters, and community-based advocacy programs. Individuals who find themselves in toxic or abusive relationships or in relationships with narcissists can find themselves facing encounters with the law. Victims of domestic violence may need to fight back to protect themselves, their children, and their property. Under Arizona law 14-404, a person may be found justified in using physical force if the force is needed to protect the person against another person’s physical force. It is important to understand that self-defense cannot be invoked as a response to a verbal provocation (verbal abuse), or if physical force is used after a person instigating violence shows the intention to withdraw from the encounter.

Yet, police bias can impact whether a person claiming self-defense is believed by police. According to PBS News, women of color may not receive the same legal protections that white women might receive when they try to claim self-defense. Women, for instance, are twice as likely as men to face charges even when they claim self-defense in a domestic violence situation. Women in domestically violent situations may live in constant fear for their lives and may fear escalating violence or repercussions from their abusers. Many self-defense laws carry the implicit assumption that two unarmed people would be equally matched. Unfortunately, in many instances of domestic violence, one person may have more physical power or control over the other person.

One way minority women, and women in general can avoid facing charges or wrongfully pleading guilty to domestic violence when they are innocent is to seek the assistance of a domestic violence lawyer in Phoenix, Arizona. Men can also face charges of domestic violence and may face pushback when they claim self-defense. The Phoenix, Arizona domestic violence attorneys can work with you and prosecutors to identify patterns of violence and coercive control and to help victims and their families find solutions or treatment instead of incarceration for their toxic relationships.

How a Domestic Violence Lawyer in Phoenix, Arizona Can Help with Consequences

A domestic violence conviction can carry with it criminal consequences like jail time, probation, fines, fees, and restraining orders, but these are not the only consequences you could face. You could also face collateral consequences, which can include lost custody of your children, limited opportunities to access housing and public assistance, and other consequences if you are facing a misdemeanor or felony assault charge.

A charge of violence is considered domestic violence when there is a domestic relationship between the two people involved. Usually, the relationship is romantic, or the individuals live together or share a child together. Domestic violence can also include relationships between siblings, parents, and other household members. Domestic violence often involves other charges including assault, battery, child abuse, child neglect, murder, and more.

Many cases of domestic violence are not reported due to dynamics involving coercive control and fear that abusers instill in their victims. Individuals might face years of domestic terrorism, threats, and violence before they end up facing charges for domestic violence. In some instances, individuals face charges of domestic violence when they take physical action against their abusers. Abusers often leave their victims in fear of going to the police and may make their victims feel that the police can do little or nothing to protect them. The reality is this: a restraining order cannot physically protect someone from another person committed to acting violently.

If you are frightened for your safety, it is important to reach out for help. Arizona offers many resources for victims of domestic violence, and victims can also call the 24-hour Domestic Violence Hotline at 800-799-7233. If you are facing domestic violence charges or have been arrested for domestic violence, reach out to the domestic violence lawyers in Phoenix, Arizona at Oliverson Law, PLLC.

What are Some Examples of Domestic Violence?

A wide range of actions can end up constituting domestic violence if the two people involved live together are involved in a romantic relationship or are connected through a child. Many acts of domestic violence can be considered assault. These actions can include hitting or punching another person, kicking another person, shoving, pulling hair, cutting, biting, sexual abuse, or assault (non-consensual sex). Blocking a person in their home or using one’s body to limit their freedom of movement or ability to leave could also be considered domestic violence.

Other actions may not be physical but can escalate to physical violence. These actions can include verbal threats of abuse, name-calling, criticism, stalking, threatening, and other forms of psychological abuse. Domestic violence can escalate slowly, and individuals may not always realize that their situation has become more dangerous or that they are at increased risk of physical violence. Sometimes violence can be verbal, until a person tries to leave the relationship, or until a person becomes pregnant. Sometimes violence doesn’t happen until a person becomes physically isolated by their abuser. If your situation hasn’t become physically violent, you may be able to take steps to leave the relationship, including seeking an order of protection or being able to access emergency shelter or transitional housing.

Leaving an abusive relationship can be hard. According to Women Against Abuse, it can take as many as 7 attempts before a person leaves his or her abuser for good. Leaving can be dangerous for the victim, especially if the person committing the abuse feels threatened when a person leaves. Abusers might threaten to try to get custody of the children, or harm pets. Victims are often isolated and go through cycles where the relationship is peaceful and then becomes abusive again. Often these cycles escalate in severity. If you need help or are facing domestic violence charges, reach out to the domestic violence lawyers in Phoenix, Arizona at Oliverson Law, PLLC today.

Assault Lawyer in Phoenix, Arizona

Domestic violence in itself is not a crime, but the crime is based on the underlying charges. Often, the underlying charge for domestic violence is assault. If you are facing assault or domestic violence charges, the assault lawyers in Phoenix, Arizona at Oliverson Law, PLLC may be able to help you. Individuals facing assault charges could be facing misdemeanor or felony charges. If you have been arrested for assault, your freedom and your reputation might be on the line. Reach out to the Phoenix, Arizona assault attorneys at Oliverson Law, PLLC today to learn more about how we might be able to defend your case.