Lafayette Domestic Violence Lawyer
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Domestic Violence Attorney in Lafayette, LA
Although domestic violence is an unfortunate reality across the United States, there are resources to help victims in Lafayette, including the Faith House of Acadiana. There should also be resources available for those who are wrongly accused of domestic violence charges. A Lafayette domestic violence lawyer can defend the rights of those who are charged with committing these offenses.
Experienced Domestic Violence Defense Attorneys in Lafayette, LA
Stockstill Defense Firm works with those accused of a variety of crimes. We regularly see people who believe that their charges are impossible to fight. Our firm can provide the skilled representation needed to beat or reduce their charges so they can get back to living their lives.
What Is Domestic Violence?
Domestic violence involves violent acts against anyone else in the household. Many times, the victims are blood-related, but they sometimes are not. Spouses and children are included as household members, along with ex-spouses or children from previous marriages.
Dating partners and even people who do not have a romantic or familial relationship can still be considered household members. Domestic violence covers actions against all these people.
Types of Domestic Violence
When most people think of domestic violence, they normally imagine physical altercations. However, multiple types of abuse can appear in domestic violence situations, including:
Emotional abuse
This can involve manipulation or love bombing tactics to get the victim to stay with the abuser. Sometimes, the abuser insults or threatens the victim if they try to contact other people while in the relationship.
Sexual abuse
Any sort of forced sexual activity without consent is considered sexual abuse. This applies even if the couple is married. Even pressure to have sex or do so without protection, like a condom, can count as sexual abuse.
Financial abuse
The goal of financial abuse is to reduce the victim’s independence so that it is more difficult to leave the abuser over time. Related actions include sabotaging finances, which makes it harder to have a disposable income to use in an escape plan.
Digital abuse
Digital abuse, like harassing people online, is still considered abuse under domestic violence laws, but this can be harder to prove. Some people make fake accounts to pretend like someone else is abusing a victim. In these cases, domestic violence charges can go to the wrong person.
Stalking
An abuser stalks a victim when they show up unannounced at the victim’s frequently visited places, like their workplace. They could also harass the victim with excessive phone calls.
Every parish in Louisiana has experienced at least one death due to domestic homicide. The statistics are grave, but it still requires concrete evidence to prove that someone is perpetrating an act of domestic violence.
Why Hire a Domestic Violence Lawyer?
In some circumstances, individuals contact law enforcement to investigate domestic violence charges, thinking that they can revoke these charges later.
However, these charges are criminal, not civil. Therefore, once the state or parish has filed charges, the prosecution alone controls whether they are dropped. Even one revenge-induced phone call can ruin someone’s life with domestic violence charges.
A Lafayette domestic violence attorney can prove how these accusations were delivered. If the accuser had a motive for doing so, then it could give your charges less merit.
Many of these types of false accusations are created spontaneously without thorough preparation. Therefore, with enough pressure, there are often inconsistencies in the claims that do not match up with previous statements. An experienced attorney knows what to ask the accusers to highlight any inconsistencies in their testimony.
Another issue that we see in domestic violence cases is protection via self-defense. Some people feel that the other person will become violent if they do not act first. You might have also been trying to defend another person rather than yourself.
The details of the situation that led to the domestic violence charges are important. An attorney can review these details to figure out what form of defense would be most effective for your case.
Why Choose Us?
Stockstill Defense Firm has been operating for over 25 years. We represent people with criminal charges that other firms won’t touch. This has led us to improve the lives of people who would otherwise be victimized by the criminal justice system.
FAQs
How Do You Defend Yourself Against Domestic Violence Charges?
To defend yourself against domestic violence charges, hire an attorney. They can review the situation to determine whether the charges are warranted or if they are being used to intimidate or control you. If the charges are being used as a power move, an attorney can work to get them dismissed.
What Are the Types of Domestic Violence?
There are many types of domestic violence. Each form is still considered abuse, but the physical action might be different. Some of the most common forms are physical abuse, emotional abuse, and verbal abuse. However, there are other, lesser-known forms of domestic violence, like financial and digital abuse. All these are intended to control the victim.
What Are the Penalties for Domestic Violence in Lafayette?
The penalties for domestic violence in Lafayette include several years of prison time. This sentence involves hard labor. There are also usually fines associated with these charges. While many domestic violence charges are considered felonies, some are only misdemeanors unless the perpetrator commits acts of domestic violence multiple times.
When Does a Domestic Violence Charge Leave Your Criminal Record in Lafayette?
A domestic violence charge does not leave your criminal record in Lafayette unless you go through the expungement process with the Louisiana State Police. Getting a record expunged means that the public cannot see it on your criminal history. However, law enforcement can still review it. Expungement can make it easier to secure employment and housing.
Take Back Your Life
35% of both men and women in Louisiana experience domestic violence at some point in their lives. It’s important that the criminal charges reflect actual damage instead of being used as a control method. If you are facing unjust domestic violence charges, schedule a consultation with Stockstill Defense Firm today.
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