Domestic Violence

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Domestic violence (and allegations of domestic violence) is an ugly American reality, as an estimated 10 million Americans per year are affected by domestic crimes in one way or another. Whether a single disagreement escalates into a more serious dispute or someone perpetrates a pattern of violence against a victim, it is pivotal that survivors and those accused (perhaps wrongfully) retain effective legal representation.

Most states prosecute domestic offenses with more severity than non-domestic offenses. If you are a survivor of a domestic crime, you should know your options for protecting yourself and holding the abuser accountable. If you are accused of domestic violence, you have a Constitutional right to defend yourself from potentially ruinous allegations.

Whether you find yourself victimized by domestic violence or accused of a domestic violence offense, call Lento Law Group today at 833-536-8652 for a free consultation.

If you are the victim of domestic violence If you are accused of a domestic violence offense, we have tailored a section to your concerns titled "Accused of a Domestic Violence Defense?" below.

Categories of Domestic Violence

The U.S. Department of Justice's Office of Violence Against Women (OVW) groups domestic violence offenses into several categories, which include:

Physical Abuse

When someone uses physical means to inflict harm on a partner, family member, roommate, or other person who falls under domestic violence statutes, they engage in domestic physical abuse. Examples of such abuse include:

● Punching

● Slapping

● Pushing

● Choking

● Restraining against one's will

● Forcefully grabbing

● Burning with a hot object

● Tying up

● Pinching

● Pulling hair

● Cutting with a sharp object

● Biting

If someone commits an unwanted physical act against someone they are in a domestic relationship with, they may face charges of domestic violence. We represent survivors, while our domestic battery lawyers often provide a capable defense to those accused of physical domestic violence.

Emotional Abuse

While the public often thinks of a battered spouse or abused child when they think of domestic abuse, this offense often has a component of emotional abuse. Whether in combination with physical abuse or perpetrated as a standalone crime, emotional abuse can include:

● Isolating someone from their friends, family, coworkers, or others they would otherwise have a relationship with

● Name-calling

● Intentionally eroding one's self-esteem

● Issuing threats of bodily harm

The effects of emotional domestic abuse can be devastating, as a victim may become hopeless, lose self-esteem, feel constant anxiety, lose their sense of self, and fundamentally alter their life in response to the mistreatment.

While emotional and verbal abuse is not always criminal, issuing threats is typically a criminal act. An attorney from our team will review your circumstances and explain whether your case of being emotionally abused qualifies as a criminal offense or whether allegations issued against you are potentially criminal.

Sexual Abuse

Sexual abuse is almost always a criminal offense and is one of the most damaging acts one can engage in. Examples of sexual abuse include:

● Engaging in sexual contact with a minor

● Engaging in any form of unwanted sexual contact, including touching, groping, and penetration

● Taking unauthorized photographs or videos of another person in a sexual manner

● Attempting to coerce sexual acts against one's will

● Contacting another person with one's genitals without consent

● Exposing one's genitals to another without consent

● Marital rape

When one perpetrates any of these acts towards a roommate, romantic partner, or family member, the offense may fall under domestic statutes.

Lento Law Group seeks accountability and justice for instances of sexual abuse.

We also defend those accused of this heinous crime, as an undefended allegation of sexual abuse can cause severe harm to your reputation, professional prospects, relationships, and quality of life.

Psychological Abuse

There is often a thin line between emotional and psychological abuse. Depending on the details and context of the act, psychological abuse may include:

● Intimidation

● Intentional infliction of anxiety or fear

● Hiding, disposing of, or destroying someone's property as a means of causing distress or other negative emotions

● Threatening harm to another person or their loved ones

● Engaging in any other act intended to cause psychological distress of any kind

Not every instance of psychological mistreatment qualifies as a criminal offense, but many do. Whether you are a survivor of psychological abuse or you face criminal charges due to allegations of psychological mistreatment, Lento Law Group can assist you.

Technological Abuse

The all-encompassing nature of personal technologies has enabled technological abuse like never before. Examples of technology-assisted abuse include:

● Monitoring a loved one's electronic activities in a manner that violates their privacy

● Engaging in harassment via phone calls, text messages, social media posts, or other electronic means

● Tracking or stalking someone through electronic means, which may include apps like Find My iPhone, AirTags, or other tools that facilitate the monitoring of a person's movements

● Encouraging group harassment of another person

● Publishing sensitive information, photographs, or videos of another person through electronic channels

Studies have shown that technology can be one of many tools used to commit domestic violence. If you are the victim of technological abuse or you have been accused of using technology in a harmful (and criminal) manner, our firm's services may be of great value.

Economic Abuse

Controlling one's finances is one of the most potent means of diminishing their quality of life. Some forms of financial mistreatment qualify as economic abuse, and such acts may include:

● Forcing a partner to transfer money against their will

● Forcefully gaining control of someone's bank account

● Destroying someone's property or other items of financial value

● Engaging in fraud against someone who falls under domestic statutes

● Perpetrating any other economically harmful act against one's will

Our team can explain whether any financial crimes you're victimized by or accused of qualify as a criminal offense.

Different Forms of Domestic Violence and Abuse Often Overlap

Some of the forms of mistreatment listed here do not fit the traditional mold of "domestic violence." However, domestic offenses take many forms, and there is no single picture of what domestic violence looks like.

Often, there will be overlap between domestic offenses, with examples including:

● A spouse who restricts their partner's access to money as a means of control (economic abuse and psychological abuse)

● A partner who frequently threatens violence and occasionally engages in physical acts of aggression (emotional abuse and physical abuse)

● A roommate who sends threatening text messages while stealing their roommate's money because they feel wronged (technological abuse and financial abuse)

● A parent who sexually abuses a child then issues threats of violence if the child reports the abuse (sexual abuse and psychological abuse)

Our attorneys consider the totality of alleged domestic offenses when representing a victim or defending the accused. Many states' laws are designed to reflect the complexities of domestic relationships, including the wrongs that occur within those relationships.

Are You a Victim of Domestic Violence? Here's What You Must Know

You may be the victim of domestic violence if you have suffered mistreatment at the hands of:

● A spouse

● A dating partner

● A roommate

● A parent

● An adult child

● A sibling

Typically, domestic offenses involve a member of a family, household, or relationship perpetrating a criminal act against another member of the family, household, or relationship.

Steps to Take After Becoming the Target of Domestic Abuse

If you know or suspect that you are the victim of a domestic offense, your priorities should include:

Finding Safety from Further Harm

Your personal circumstances will dictate your options for finding safety, and those options may include:

● Staying with a friend or family member

● Securing emergency housing

● Temporarily staying at a hotel or other safe location

Lento Law Group takes a human approach to our cases, and this is especially true when a client endures domestic violence. We can refer you to reliable resources for survivors of domestic violence, including emergency housing if necessary.

Hiring a Family Law Attorney from Lento Law Group

You must take advantage of legal protections for victims of domestic violence, and an attorney from Lento Law Group will help you do so. We will discuss your needs and goals for hiring an attorney and can assist you in:

● Implementing immediate legal protection from anyone who threatens your safety (perhaps by securing an order of protection)

● Ensuring that parties accused of domestic violence do not have immediate access to firearms or other weapons

● Bringing charges against anyone who has perpetrated criminal domestic violence (or other domestic offenses) against you

● Taking any other legal or non-legal measures that will ensure your safety and help you find justice for the harm you've suffered

Each victim of domestic violence has unique needs. Our firm will tailor our approach specifically to you, working tirelessly to attain the resolutions you need and deserve.

Legal Measures Available to Prevent Further Violence

One or more instances of domestic violence can spark a necessary cascade of legal proceedings, and we help our clients with:

● Orders of protection: If you need legal protection from someone who has mistreated you, we will seek an order of protection in your jurisdiction. Orders of protection are urgent legal priorities, and our nationwide network of affiliates will come in handy as we seek your immediate protection.

● Facilitating criminal charges: While prosecutors try domestic violence cases, we will facilitate communications between you and those who might prosecute your abuser. Should you wish to proceed with criminal charges, we will help.

● Facilitating a divorce: Those who endure one or more domestic violence events often choose to terminate their marriage. If you choose to move forward with a divorce, our firm can represent you in related proceedings.

● Fighting for child custody: If children are a feature of your life, we must ensure their safety. Lento Law Group can represent you in any child custody issues that lie ahead.

No two stories of domestic violence are exactly alike, and no two victims have the exact same needs. An attorney from Lento Law Group will provide the personalized strategy and services you deserve.

Reasons to Hire an Attorney as the Survivor of Domestic Violence

Too often, victims of domestic violence choose not to accept the help of an attorney. They may assume that they can't afford a lawyer, that they can handle any necessary legal proceedings on their own, or that issues of domestic violence will resolve themselves. These assumptions are often wrong.

We encourage survivors of domestic violence to hire a lawyer from our team because:

● Immediacy is often important in securing orders of protection and other services for victims of domestic violence, and our lawyers waste no time in securing such solutions

● The trauma of domestic violence may lower your threshold for stress and make it difficult to handle the legal demands of your case

● You may be wholly unfamiliar with the legal aspects of domestic violence cases, while our lawyers are intimately familiar with them

● We make our services affordable to all through a client-friendly fee structure

Experience is valuable when confronting the legal aspects of domestic violence. On a personal level, our team can also ensure you receive the shelter and services you may need.

Why Lento Law Group May Be the Right Firm to Represent You

Our firm offers compassionate legal assistance for victims of domestic violence, regardless of your unique circumstances.

We will handle every legal aspect of your case, and we will also assist you with the human aspect of overcoming domestic violence. Our nationwide network of legal professionals offers convenient, capable, in-person services ideally suited to survivors of domestic violence.

Call Lento Law Group today at 833-536-8652 for a free consultation, as we will answer your questions and explain in detail how we can assist you.

Accused of a Domestic Violence Offense?

Every American has the right to a capable legal defense. Whether you have made a regrettable decision or you stand wrongfully accused of domestic violence, allow Lento Law Group to come to your defense.

Our nationwide legal team has an extensive history of defending clients accused of various domestic offenses. We bring an intricate knowledge of domestic violence laws and defenses in many states, and we're primed to mount your defense today.

Call Lento Law Group today at 833-536-8652 for a free consultation.

What's at Stake If You Fail to Defend Yourself from Allegations of Domestic Violence

Perhaps the most egregious error you can make is underestimating the seriousness of domestic violence charges. Should you fail to mount the level of defense necessary for such serious charges, you may face:

Jail or Imprisonment

Many charges that fall under the scope of domestic violence statutes carry the potential penalty of jail time or imprisonment. Being confined to a department of corrections can:

● Cause immense disruption in your personal life

● Distance you from children and loved ones

● Cause immense emotional and psychological trauma

● Cause or exacerbate mental health problems

● Result in a lasting stigma, as it may become public knowledge that you are incarcerated

● Contribute to the loss of employment, housing, and other essential aspects of your life

The details of your criminal charges will determine whether jail or prison is a possibility. Even if you don't face confinement, you may still be at risk of the many other consequences of a domestic violence conviction.

Draconian Conditions of a Protective Order

Protective orders can serve as a de facto conviction, as the details of such an order can restrict your freedom in several ways. An order of protection may:

● Bar you from your residence

● Prevent you from seeing your children

● Prevent you from having firearms or weapons that you require for self-protection

● Limit where you can go

● Limit how you can use digital communications

● Interfere with your professional life

● Result in unjust financial harm

● Place you in immediate danger of more serious legal consequences, as violating an order of protection can be a criminal offense in its own right

Your domestic violence attorney from Lento Law Group will fight to prevent or nullify an unjust order of protection, ensuring your unfettered freedom in the process.

Loss of Child Custody

If you are accused of domestic violence, a court may determine that you are unfit to be around your children. If you are convicted of a domestic violence offense, you may face a long road to regaining even partial custody of your children.

Of all the potential consequences of a domestic violence conviction, the loss of parental rights is among the most painful for many of our clients.

Loss of Employment

The mere accusation of domestic violence can have a detrimental professional effect, which is why it's critical we clear you of all pending charges. Should you fail to put forth a winning defense, you may face:

● The loss of your current job (and any income, benefits, or other perks provided by that job)

● Difficulty securing future employment

● A repeating cycle of having to explain your domestic violence conviction to prospective employers

● A sharp decline in your earning power and financial security

Our ability to earn and maintain a fulfilling, well-paying job is vital to our quality of life. If you are facing a domestic violence charge, your ability to support yourself and your loved ones could be in jeopardy.

Immense Reputational Harm

Domestic violence is among the most stigmatized offenses one can be accused of. If you are convicted, you may:

● Lose valued relationships with those who do not want to associate with you

● Be the subject of ridicule and stigmatization in your community

● Suffer psychologically, physically, and financially because of the adverse effects of stigma and reputational harm

Presenting a capable defense and clearing your name is the only way to avoid these severe legal and non-legal consequences. Our team will work to achieve the goal of a successful defense.

Potential Defenses to a Charge of Domestic Violence

The unique details of your case, including the allegations levied against you, will dictate which defenses we may use. Potential defenses to an allegation of domestic violence include:

● A false allegation: Yours would not be the first case of a false allegation of domestic violence. Many domestic relationships involve hard feelings, especially when a breakup or dispute occurs. If you have been baselessly accused of domestic violence, we will work to prove the falsity of the charges against you.

● A misdirected allegation: Perhaps you have been accused of an offense that someone else committed. For instance, if someone else used your social media account to harass another person, the victim (and prosecutors) might assume you were the one who committed the offense. Again, we will work to prove otherwise.

● Self-defense: If you acted in self-defense, our legal defense will reflect it. We may present proof of your own injuries, witness testimony supporting your account of events, and any other evidence suggesting you were merely defending yourself.

● Lack of intent: Some domestic violence charges require the prosecutor to prove intent. For instance, if you are accused of stalking, the prosecutor may need to prove you intended to be in the same location as the alleged victim.

● Improper investigation: If law enforcement officials conducted an improper investigation, we will cite such procedural errors while defending you.

There are countless other defenses we can use, and we will tailor our strategy to the details of your case.

Do I Really Need a Domestic Violence Lawyer if I'm Wrongfully Accused?

It is your decision as to whether to hire a lawyer or try to overcome serious criminal charges on your own. We urge you to consider:

● Whether you have any relevant legal experience that would allow you to mount an effective defense

● The high stakes of failing to present a winning defense

● The benefit of having an experienced, knowledgeable attorney leading your defense

Most people don't think twice about hiring a lawyer when their reputation and potentially their freedom is on the line. You shouldn't either.

Call Lento Law Group Today to Secure the Defense Services You Need

Our firm provides detail-oriented, results-focused legal defense to clients nationwide. We know domestic violence statutes, the various defenses that apply to cases like yours, and how to develop an effective defense when the stakes are highest.