Tempe Domestic Violence Lawyers 

The Tempe, Arizona domestic violence lawyers at Oliverson Law, PLLC are here to help you if you have been arrested for domestic violence or are facing domestic violence charges. According to a 2017 study conducted by the Centers for Disease Control, as many as 40% of people have suffered some form of domestic abuse. The Maricopa County Attorney’s Office defines domestic violence as “a pattern of controlling behaviors where one person uses their power to control the other.” Domestic violence can include emotional abuse, physical abuse, sexual abuse, and financial abuse. 1 in 3 women and 1 in 4 men will become a victim of domestic violence in their lifetime, and every 44 minutes in Arizona, a child will witness domestic violence. The time when a victim of domestic violence is most at risk is when he or she tries to leave the situation. This is usually when violence escalates. In situations like this, verbal abuse can become physical abuse, and if a person is already using physical violence to exert control, physical violence can worsen and become dangerous or even life-threatening to victims, their children, and their pets.

Alarmingly, some people face arrest for domestic violence when they try to defend themselves, their children, their pets, or their property. People who suffer from domestic violence might live in constant fear for their lives and their safety. People who use violence or coercive control to abuse and dominate their victims may sometimes know how to use the criminal justice system to their advantage. For example, a victim of domestic violence may be so frightened that they never report violence to police. But when a victim of domestic violence fights back, perpetrators might be quick to call the police and use the criminal justice system to punish victims. According to the Journal of Aggression, Maltreatment, & Trauma, police officers may not always be specially trained to respond to situations involving domestic violence. In some cases, battered women end up getting arrested as perpetrators of domestic violence. According to the Battered Women Support Services, battered women often tell police that they were trying to defend themselves, and find themselves subject to arrest even when police have responded to previous reports of abuse.

Domestic violence is a complex issue. The dynamics present in a toxic, or coercively controlling relationship may not always be understood by police, especially if they don’t have domestic violence training. Scenes where domestic violence has taken place can be difficult to make sense of. A victim might appear hysterical or agitated, while the perpetrator might appear calm and collected. Women of color and other minorities might also face additional challenges during police encounters.

While there have been movements to gain a greater understanding and to protect victims, many victims find themselves doubly victimized, first by their abusers in the privacy of their homes, and then by the criminal justice system. If you are facing arrest or charges of domestic violence, it is important to seek help. The domestic violence lawyers in Tempe, Arizona at Oliverson Law, PLLC fight for the rights of the accused and may be able to help.

Consequences of Domestic Violence Charges in Arizona

The consequence of a domestic violence charge can be serious. Just being accused of domestic violence can put you in contact or under monitoring from child protective services. Individuals could face losing custody of their children, either through child protective services or through custody battles with an abusive partner. Sometimes when victims fight back, abusers claim “parental alienation” to gain custody of children during divorce, with sometimes the tragic consequence that victims lose custody of their children.

Victims facing domestic violence charges could also face arrest, conviction, jail time, fines, and the collateral consequences of having a criminal record. Victims who are immigrants or undocumented could face deportation or other immigration problems if they are found guilty of domestic violence. A person found guilty of domestic violence could face additional collateral consequences for having a criminal record, including loss of certain licenses, problems obtaining housing, problems pursuing higher education, lost job opportunities, and more. If you are facing domestic violence charges, your future, your reputation, and even your custody of your children might be on the line. The Tempe, Arizona domestic violence lawyers at Oliverson Law, PLLC are here to help. We understand the unique challenges that domestic violence victims face and fight for the rights of the innocent. We are here to help.

Assault Lawyers in Tempe, Arizona

Domestic violence is often charged as assault but with the added component of involving a victim who either lives with the perpetrator or involves a family relationship between the victim and perpetrator. In Arizona, assault is defined as any action that causes physical injury to another person, either intentionally or recklessly. In domestic violence situations, a perpetrator might throw items at a person, perhaps not with the intention to hit the person, but with the intention to intimidate. If these items hit a person accidentally, the person throwing the item can still face assault charges. If a person fears for their safety or fears harm, a person could also face charges of assault.

Assault charges when they involve domestic violence can result in challenging cases. It can be difficult to disentangle who is the perpetrator and who is the person defending himself or herself. Dynamics can be highly volatile. A person might have been facing physical threats of violence or assault for weeks or months before he or she chooses to defend herself. These situations can be very dangerous for victims, children, and pets.

If you are facing charges of assault or domestic violence, consider speaking to the assault lawyers in Tempe, Arizona at Oliverson Law, PLLC today. Our Tempe, Arizona assault attorneys understand the unique challenges that assault victims face and can fight to help you defend yourself, your reputation, and your freedom. You could face jail time, fines, and other collateral consequences if you are found guilty of assault or domestic violence. You don’t have to navigate the criminal justice system alone. Reach out to the Tempe, Arizona assault attorneys at Oliverson Law, PLLC today.