A domestic violence claim is serious, as a conviction could result in consequences that change your life forever. Depending on the severity of the crime, the end result could be anything from a restraining order against you to time in prison in addition to the damage to your reputation. Depending on the industry in which you work and your position, an arrest and conviction on domestic violence charges could destroy your career.
If you are charged with domestic violence, you need to focus on the details of your criminal case. For instance, as there are multiple categories of domestic violence, and you must learn of which you stand accused. This will help you understand your situation, what went wrong and how to approach your defense.
Here are the most common types of domestic violence:
- Physical abuse. This is at the top of the list, because it’s the most common form of domestic violence. This can include everything from punching, kicking, stabbing or slapping.
- Emotional abuse. This type of allegation deals with with the way one person treats another. For example, emotional abuse is often brought about through persistent criticism or humiliation.
- Sexual abuse. This type of domestic violence can include things like forcing someone to have a sexual relationship or unwanted touching.
- Financial abuse. It’s not always easy to pinpoint, but it exists. This comes in many forms, such as spouses who use money to assert control over their partners.
Since there is more than one type of domestic violence it can be a challenge to understand what went wrong in your relationship. Just the same, you may not realize why you are being charged with a crime.
Regardless of your charges, you need to look at the past to get a better idea of what happened. Being honest with yourself will help you and your attorney devise a defense strategy that can help you avoid the most serious consequences in the event of a conviction.
The way you resolve domestic violence and other charges will directly impact your future. If you take the right approach, you may be able to resolve your domestic issues without being convicted of a crime.