Domestic Violence Lawyers in Steubenville

Facing domestic violence charges? Don’t worry, Sean Logue, the dedicated Steubenville OH OVI Lawyer, is here to defend you.

Dealing with domestic violence allegations can be incredibly stressful, leaving everyone involved with feelings of anger and anxiety. But you don’t have to face it alone. Sean understands the pressure you’re under and will do his best to support you through this challenging time.

Crimes of Domestic Violence

When law enforcement responds to domestic violence calls, arrests are almost inevitable, regardless of evidence or the victim’s wishes. This can lead to court hearings and other stressful situations for the accused individual.

However, contemporary times have seen increased penalties for domestic violence offenses, with the intention of protecting victims. Unfortunately, the consequences for the accused can often be life-altering.

The term “domestic violence” encompasses various actions and behaviors within families or households. These can include sexual attacks, verbal abuse, and physical assaults. Sometimes, individuals are arrested for isolated incidents, while others have a history of such behavior.

Domestic Violence Defined

Let’s clarify what exactly constitutes domestic violence in Ohio. It’s crucial to understand that you can be arrested and charged if:

• You recklessly cause physical harm to a family or household member.
• You knowingly attempt or cause harm to a family or household member.
• You instill fear in a family or household member using threats of physical harm.

Importantly, you can be arrested for domestic violence even if you never physically touched the alleged victim.

Domestic Violence Types

Domestic violence charges can manifest in various ways, including child abuse or neglect, domestic assault/battery, rape, sexual battery, menacing by stalking, and violating a protection order.

Domestic Violence Defences

If you’re facing charges of domestic violence, it’s crucial to understand that simply sharing your side of the story may not be sufficient to have the charges dropped. Unfortunately, the alleged perpetrator’s account often clashes with that of the alleged victim.

However, an experienced and knowledgeable Steubenville OH criminal lawyer can employ various defense strategies to potentially sway the court in favor of their client. Here are some commonly used defenses in domestic violence cases (though others exist as well):

• False allegations: In certain situations, a soon-to-be ex-spouse or partner may level false accusations against the alleged offender as a means of seeking revenge or gaining an advantage in civil matters like divorce, child support, or child custody.

• Self-defense: Everyone has the right to protect themselves, even in domestic violence situations. Courts tend to dismiss cases where the alleged victim’s actions caused the domestic violence.

• Lack of evidence: If there is no tangible proof of domestic violence, such as injuries or other evidence, the prosecutor will struggle to secure a conviction against the alleged offender.

• Accidental injury: Sometimes, an alleged victim sustains injuries due to their own negligence or causes unrelated to the alleged offender.

• Defense of others: This defense applies when the alleged offender harms another family member while trying to protect someone else from harm.

Penalties For Domestic Violence

Penalties for domestic violence vary depending on factors such as the severity of injuries, the victim involved, the criminal record of the offender, and the underlying charges. Convictions can range from minor misdemeanors to first-degree felonies. Fines start at $150 but can go as high as $20,000, and jail time ranges between 30 days and 11 years.

If you’re facing domestic violence charges, consider seeking the assistance of Sean Logue, a dedicated Steubenville OH criminal lawyer who will fight for your rights. Contact him at (330) 992-3036 for the support you need.