Mississippi Criminal and Family Law BlogA domestic violence charge comes with serious consequences, which is why it’s vital to protect your rights with the help of well qualified criminal defense attorney. Many people believe that if they are innocent, they do not need legal representation because the truth will come out in court. However, this is not the case, especially if there isn’t an experienced criminal defense attorney working for you. When you are innocent, or even when you believe that the facts in your case would show your innocence, you still need legal counsel to get those facts to the court.
Domestic violence is a serious charge and can result in serious consequences. In the state of Mississippi, domestic violence means any assault, aggravated assault, battery, aggravated battery, sexual assault, stalking, kidnapping, even putting someone in fear of an assault, or any criminal offense resulting in physical injury or death of one family or household member. If you have been accused of domestic violence, it is crucial to have an experienced criminal defense attorney on your side who will guide you through the process and obtain the best possible results for your case.
The criminal defense attorneys at the Carmody Law Firm will work quickly to help develop a personalized defense strategy for your case. We plan for the worst while we try for the best outcomes.
Consequences of Domestic Violence Charges
If you are convicted of domestic violence, you may be facing serious consequences that can potentially put your freedom, reputation, and future in danger. Domestic violence charges need a strong defense strategy to demonstrate that there is more to the story than just a disagreement between you and your accuser. When this is the case, an attorney can assist you to demonstrate that you have been falsely accused. Domestic violence consequences can include: being forced to leave your home, loss of child custody or visitation rights, criminal penalties, fines, and court costs.
What is the Penalty for A Domestic Violence Conviction?
When the offense is committed against a current or former spouse of the defendant or a child of that person, a person living as a spouse or who formerly lived as a spouse with the defendant or a child of that person, a parent, grandparent, child, grandchild or someone connected to the defendant, a person who has a current or former dating relationship with the defendant, or a person with whom the offender has had a biological or legally adopted child, an offender is guilty of simple domestic violence who:
(i) Attempts to cause or purposely, knowingly or recklessly causes bodily injury to another;
(ii) Negligently causes bodily injury to another with a deadly weapon or other means likely to produce death or serious bodily harm; or
(iii) Attempts by physical menace (threats) to put another in fear of imminent serious bodily harm.
Upon conviction, the offender shall be punished by a fine of not more than Five Hundred Dollars ($500.00) or by imprisonment in the county jail for not more than six (6) months, or both. If the injury results in serious injury or death, then the charge would be aggravated domestic violence and the offender would be charged with a felony offense with up to twenty (20) years in prison.
In addition, those convicted of domestic violence can no longer have a hand gun, rifle, or a shotgun. Those persons whose job requires carrying a firearm would be in jeopardy of losing their jobs. Hunters will also lose their ability to hunt.
What should an Offender do if they are being Charged with Domestic Violence?
If you have been searching the Mississippi area for a qualified, experienced criminal defense attorney, look no further than Vic Carmody Jr., P.A. Over the years, we have helped numerous defendants pursue favorable outcomes. Although being accused of domestic violence is not a pleasant experience, there are many potential defense strategies that can be used to defend and reduce the charges against an offender. Call/contact us today for your consultation to learn more.
Please also see us on mississippi-lawyers.com and view our reviews on avvo.com, superlawyers.com, and martindale.com. Our email address is mississippi-lawyers.com and our office phone number is (601) 948 – 4444 option 1.