Domestic Violence Lawyers in St. Clairsville

Sean Logue, a dedicated St.Clairsville Criminal Lawyer, stands ready to defend individuals facing accusations of domestic violence.

Domestic violence charges can be highly stressful, often leaving all parties involved with feelings of anger towards a family member or friend. Sean empathizes with the difficult emotions you may be experiencing and is committed to representing you in court to help alleviate that anger and anxiety.

Crimes Of Domestic Violence

When law enforcement responds to domestic violence calls, arrests are typically made, irrespective of the presence or absence of evidence or the alleged victim’s wishes to not press charges. As a result, the accused individual must navigate court hearings and other stressors.

Today, accusations of domestic violence carry harsher consequences than in the past. While the intent is to protect victims, it can often lead to long-term and life-altering changes for the alleged offender.

The term “domestic violence” encompasses a range of actions and behaviors among individuals living together or forming a family unit. Such actions may include sexual, verbal, or physical attacks. At times, alleged offenders are arrested for isolated incidents, while others may have a history of such behaviors.

Domestic Violence Defined

In Ohio, three behaviors can lead to arrest and charges of domestic violence:

• Recklessly causing harm to a family or household member.
• Knowingly attempting to or actually causing harm to a family or household member.
• Creating a reasonable belief in a family or household member that physical harm will occur, through the threat of force.

It is important to note that domestic violence arrests can occur even without any physical contact with the alleged victim.

With Sean Logue by your side, you can expect a staunch defense against domestic violence charges.

A highly skilled St.Clairsville criminal lawyer possesses extensive knowledge and experience in deploying a range of viable defenses to effectively advocate for their client. By employing strategic defenses, they can persuasively present their case before the court, aiming to mitigate or dismiss the charges. While the following defenses are commonly utilized in domestic violence cases, it is important to note that there are additional defense strategies not provided here.

• False allegations: Oftentimes, individuals going through divorce or child custody disputes wrongfully accuse the alleged offender as a means of retaliation or to gain an advantage in civil proceedings.

• Self-defense: Individuals have the inherent right to protect themselves, which extends to domestic violence situations. Courts are inclined to dismiss cases where the actions of the alleged victim provoke the domestic violence incident.

By leveraging these robust defense strategies, a seasoned St.Clairsville OVI lawyer can enhance the engagement and effectiveness of their legal representation.

• The effectiveness of evidence – In cases where there is no clear substantiation of domestic violence, such as injuries or other supporting evidence, the prosecutor may face challenges in convicting the accused offender.

• Accidental injuries – These instances occur when alleged victims sustain injuries due to their own negligence or other unrelated causes separate from the alleged offender.

• Defense of others – Situations where the alleged offender causes harm to a family member to protect another individual from harm.

Penalties for Domestic Violence

The sentencing of individuals convicted of domestic violence involves considering several factors, including the severity of injuries, the relationship between the victim and the offender, the offender’s prior criminal record, and the nature of the underlying charge.

Domestic violence convictions can range from minor misdemeanors to first-degree felonies, with associated fines starting at $150 and potentially reaching $20,000. Jail time is typically imposed for offenses beyond minor misdemeanors, with sentences ranging from 30 days up to 11 years.

When facing accusations of domestic violence, trust Sean Logue, a skilled criminal defense lawyer. Contact us at (330) 992-3036 for legal assistance.