Domestic Violence

Domestic Violence

Domestic violence claims can ruin a person’s life. They can take away your freedom, ruin your reputation and worst of all, prevent you from seeing the people in your life that you hold most dear. When you face criminal prosecution for domestic violence, you will need an experienced domestic violence attorney on your side for the duration of the proceedings. Gillespie, Shields & Taylor can help protect your rights and your future.

The Fierce Fight of Prosecutors

Domestic violence is an awful crime – that is the reason why prosecutors go after domestic violence charges with everything they have. In doing so, they take a stand against the injustice and presumably prevent the victim from coming to further harm. Unfortunately, the prosecution does not always have all the facts. Innocent men and women are investigated for and charged with domestic violence every day because someone close to them told a lie. They will have their lives torn apart by the justice system even though they are innocent.

This is why the team at Gillespie, Shields & Taylor represents defendants in domestic violence cases. We know these disputes are rarely as straightforward as they are often presented, and we believe everyone deserves a fair trial.

Who Can Raise Charges of Domestic Violence

Your spouse may not be the only individual who can press domestic violence charges against you. Roommates, immediate family (including parents, siblings and children) and anyone you are romantically involved with may claim victimization.

Even if you know a fight was mutual, you could face domestic violence charges if a law enforcement officer has reason to believe you were responsible. Without witnessing the incident firsthand, an officer has the ability to change your life. After being charged, you will likely face preventative measures to keep you from seeing the victim. Remain calm and complaint with the legal process, and ask to speak with an attorney as soon as possible.

Types of Domestic Violence

Domestic violence in Arizona does not always include assault. It can actually cover a range of crimes, some of which may not have a violent characteristic. Domestic assault includes harassment, kidnapping, trespassing and threatening a victim. Since each crime’s severity and context may change, the sentencing for domestic violence may also look different from case to case.

Being Convicted of Domestic Violence

Arizona judges individuals convicted of domestic violence very harshly. You will likely face jail time, fines and a probationary period regardless of your relationship to the victim. Depending on the context of the case, the amount of time you spend in jail and pay may change. Domestic violence cases between lovers do tend to have more serious consequences for individuals facing conviction.

A domestic violence conviction could prevent you from earning child custody or winning certain arguments in a divorce settlement. Some offenders could even face limited visitation rights. The extreme consequences that can trickle down from a domestic violence charge make it that much more important to start fighting as early on as possible.