Top Woodlyn, PA Domestic Violence - Criminal Lawyers Near You
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NAMED TOP 100 PHILADELPHIA ATTORNEYS! One of the most skilled and tenacious criminal defense lawyers!
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Facing Criminal Charges? Build a rock solid defense with the McGarrigle Law Firm
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1489 Baltimore Pike, Suite 221, Springfield, PA 19064
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Ciccarelli Law Offices has experience helping clients with their Domestic Violence - Criminal needs in Woodlyn, Pennsylvania.
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111 N. Olive Street, Media, PA 19063
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Bellwoar Kelly, LLP has experience helping clients with their Domestic Violence - Criminal needs in Woodlyn, Pennsylvania.
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Constitution Place, 325 Chestnut St., Suite 910, Philadelphia, PA 19106
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Applebaum & Associates has experience helping clients with their Domestic Violence - Criminal needs in Woodlyn, Pennsylvania.
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1219 Spruce Street, Philadelphia, PA 19107
Get assistance for your Domestic Violence - Criminal issue in the Woodlyn, Pennsylvania area. van der Veen, Hartshorn, Levin & Lindheim can help.
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3245 Ridge Pike, Norristown, PA 19403
Conway Schadler, LLC, a reputable Domestic Violence - Criminal firm representing clients in the Woodlyn, Pennsylvania area.
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215 North Olive Street, Suite 201, Media, PA 19063
Get assistance for your Domestic Violence - Criminal issue in the Woodlyn, Pennsylvania area. Nistico & Roberts can help.
1700 Market Street, Suite 1418, Philadelphia, PA 19103-3907
1760 Market Street, Suite 600, Philadelphia, PA 19103
737 Second Street Pike, Southampton, PA 18966
1500 Walnut St, Suite 1510, Philadelphia, PA 19102
25 S. Church Street, West Chester, PA 19382
1515 Market Street, Suite 1200, Philadelphia, PA 19102
1500 JFK Blvd., 2 Penn Center Suite 1240, Philadelphia, PA 19102
One Logan Square, Suite 2000, Philadelphia, PA 19103-6996
1901 Callowhill St, Philadelphia, PA 19130
30 South 17th Street, Philadelphia, PA 19103
112 W. Front Street, Media, PA 19063
Centre Square West, 1500 Market St, Suite 3400, Philadelphia, PA 19102
2000 Market Street, 20th Floor, Philadelphia, PA 19103
2000 Market Street, Suite 2300, Philadelphia, PA 19103
1315 Walnut Street, 12th Floor, Philadelphia, PA 19107
600 West Germantown Pike, Suite 400, Plymouth Meeting, PA 19462
882 S Matlack St, Suite 110, West Chester, PA 19382
230 S. Broad Street, Suite 900, Philadelphia, PA 19102
1650 Market Street, Suite 3669, Philadelphia, PA 19103
Woodlyn Domestic Violence - Criminal Information
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What Is Criminal Domestic Violence?
Criminal domestic violence occurs when a spouse or partner commits an act (or willfully threatens with the reasonable capacity to commit an act) of violence against the victim. Sexual abuse, spousal rape, intimate partner violence, battery and assault are all in territory nearby to criminal domestic violence, and charges spurring from such allegations often take these forms as well.
Under the expanded protections afforded to victims of domestic violence via the 1994 Violence Against Women Act (VAWA), emotional abuse, economic abuse (controlling finances to control behavior and force compliance from the victim) and psychological abuse can all be considered to be forms of domestic violence.
What Is The Difference Between Civil vs. Criminal Domestic Violence?
While criminal domestic violence, and charges pertaining to any number of offenses beneath that legal umbrella, are heard in criminal court, there are civil remedies available.
Civil courts are generally called upon, in alleged situations of domestic violence, to produce a restraining or protective order in favor of the alleged victim. Such an order may call for the defendant to maintain a physical distance from the victim and other family members, and violation of this civil order can result in immediate criminal charges.
Criminal domestic violence cases have a much higher burden of proof to clear. The onus is placed on the plaintiff to prove beyond any reasonable doubt that acts of abuse did occur. Civil courts have a much lower standard of proof in terms of awarding protective orders or restraining orders, but it is a common defensive strategy employed by alleged victims to set such boundaries before proceeding to a criminal case if deemed necessary.
Is Criminal Domestic Violence a Felony?
Acts of criminal domestic violence can be charged as either felonies or misdemeanors, depending on the specific nature of the charges as well as the jurisdiction. Cases heard in federal court are almost always prosecuted as felony charges.
At the state level, domestic violence charges can range from misdemeanor offenses to felony offenses. In some states, both third degree and second degree domestic violence charges are classified as misdemeanors, with first degree domestic violence and domestic violence of a high and aggravated nature (DVHAN) being classified as felonies.
It should be mentioned that domestic violence charges could also be classified as sexual abuse, battery, aggravated battery, or similar, rather than as strictly related to domestic violence.
What Is the Penalty for First-Degree Criminal Domestic Violence?
Federal domestic violence charges typically relate to the underpinning crime, although protections afforded via VAWA allow for additional charges to be appended to larger offenses. Battery, aggravated battery and sexual abuse charges can lead to 20 years to life in prison if you are found guilty of more serious offenses.
At the state level, punishments in response to first-degree (or aggravated) criminal domestic violence typically range from two years behind bars to up to 10 years imprisonment.
What Are Other Penalties for Criminal Domestic Violence?
With third and second degree domestic abuse charges being more common than first-degree or aggravated domestic abuse charges, penalties are less severe than those listed above. Domestic battery is sometimes listed as a first degree misdemeanor with a potential punishment, for those found guilty, of up to one year in county jail. Probation and a fine of up to $1,000 may also be a penalty for domestic violence.
How Can a Lawyer Help With Criminal Domestic Violence Charges in Pennsylvania?
All charges of domestic violence — felony or misdemeanor — should be taken seriously. A conviction could result in a sizable jail or prison sentence in addition to substantial fines and restitution.
An experienced criminal defense attorney familiar with case law pertaining to domestic violence can help guide you through the facts and discuss the material evidence to craft the best case possible.
An attorney can also often resolve your particular legal issue faster and better than trying to do it alone. A lawyer can help you navigate the legal system, while avoiding costly mistakes or procedural errors.