Are you a college student? If so, you know that making all the right decisions is easier said than done. Unfortunately, if you travel down the wrong path, you could find yourself in trouble with the law.
While domestic violence has always been a troubling crime, it has moved to the forefront as the result of recent incidents on college campuses throughout the country.
In short, domestic violence is a violent act committed against another, such as a girlfriend or boyfriend. While some people consider this nothing more than a minor squabble that will clear up over time, the law doesn’t look at it in the same manner. Instead, if individuals are charged with domestic violence, they need to fully understand the challenges they’re facing in the future.
More than one type of domestic violence
The most common form of domestic violence is physical abuse. This can include but is not limited to punching, shoving, battering, slapping, biting, or any other form of hitting.
The other types include:
- Sexual abuse. This occurs when one person coerces another into having sexual contact without the victim’s consent.
- Emotional abuse. This involves one person invalidating the victim’s self-worth.
- Economic abuse. A common form of domestic violence in which the abusers make victims believe that they have to rely on their abusers from a financial perspective.
As a college student, you never want to find yourself charged with domestic violence. If you do, the punishment can be severe. For example, in the most serious of situations, a conviction could lead to imprisonment. Other ways in which this can impact your life include:
- Suspension or dismissal from school.
- Difficulty landing a job after graduation.
College students don’t always make the best decisions. Even so, this doesn’t mean that you should be charged with a crime that you didn’t commit. With so much gray area associated with domestic violence, there are times when police jump the gun and charge a student with a crime before learning more about the facts.
If you find yourself charged with domestic violence or a similar crime, there is no time to waste. You should immediately learn more about the charges, while also focusing on how you can defend yourself as your case moves forward.
