Minneapolis Domestic Assault Lawyer & Attorney
Domestic assault is the act of assaulting a family member or household member. This serious accusation can end up landing you in prison among other harsh penalties. It is important to act fast when facing any domestic assault allegation – without proper representation this one small mistake could end up haunting you for the rest of your life.
What Constitutes Domestic Assault?
Domestic assault does not only mean the physical act of harming another person. It can include verbal threats and sexual violence as well. Any act of harming or threatening to harm a family member can be classified as domestic assault. The term ‘family member’ includes:
- Blood relatives such as brothers, sisters, parents and cousins
- Spouses and ex-spouses
- Persons presently living together, or persons who have lived together
- Persons who have children together or who are expecting a child together
- Persons involved in a romance and sexual relationship
Domestic Assault and Child Custody
In many instances, a domestic dispute will go hand in hand with child custody or divorce proceeding. However, no judge in the world will be happy to grant you custody of your children if you have a domestic assault conviction. This criminal offense suggests that you have an anger management problem and that your children are at risk. Furthermore, you may also be slapped with an “Order for Protection”, a type of restraining order that restricts you from contacting the alleged victim. This can impact your ability to see your children and to even visit your home. Furthermore, if the Order of Protection is violated in any way, then you may be facing another court date and another conviction.
Domestic Assault Conviction
If you are convicted of domestic assault you could be looking at the following penalties:
- Up to 90 days in prison and/or a $1,000 fine if the domestic assault is considered a gross misdemeanor offense
- Up to 5 years in prison and/or a $10,000 fine if the domestic assault is considered a felony offense
- Community service
- Anger management and/or counseling
- Restitution to the victim
- The loss of your rights to bear firearms under the Minnesota Violation of Women Act
- Possible custody problems as well as possible restraining orders
Defend Against Domestic Assault
There are a number of defense tactics to take when facing a domestic assault accusation. In many instances, the allegation may have been made out of anger or spite. In other instances, the whole thing could have simply been a big misunderstanding. You could have been acting in self defense or you could have been somewhere else during the time of the alleged assault. Our attorneys will assess your case, interview witnesses, consult with experts and determine the best strategy to minimize your sentencing.
Minneapolis Domestic Violence Attorney
If you, or someone you know, have been charged with a domestic assault crime in Minnesota, you need to retain the services of a qualified, passionate and knowledgeable criminal defense attorney who will be your voice in the criminal justice system and who has a successful track record when it comes to fighting assault charges in the state of Minnesota. When you face such life-changing consequences, you cannot risk being without trustworthy, aggressive legal representation.
At the Law Offices of William K. Bulmer II, we are fully prepared to handle your assault crime case. We can provide you with the guidance and legal counsel you need to fight your charges. Call our Law Offices today for a FREE consultation at 612-384-7003.