When it comes to domestic violence, there are generally two types of defenses that can be used in court: factual and legal. Factual defenses are based on the facts of the case, while legal defenses are based on the law.
Some common legal defenses for domestic violence charges include self-defense, defense of others, consent, and statute of limitations.
If you are looking to defend yourself when accused of domestic violence, then you can consult with the criminal lawyers los angeles has, for example. With their knowledge and expertise, they can advise you on your rights.
Self-defense
The act of self-defense is one of the most common legal defenses for domestic violence charges. To be successful, the defendant must show that they were in reasonable fear for their safety or the safety of others and that they used only necessary force to defend themselves. If the defendant can prove self-defense, they may be able to have the charges dropped or reduced. This can be difficult to prove on your own, and may require a Harrisburg criminal defense lawyer. A defense lawyer know’s the evidence the judge is looking for and will be able to defend your case. Without an experienced lawyer on your side, you may not get the justice you deserve.
When domestic violence is brought to court, the defendant may have a valid defense of self-defense. To be successful in this defense, the defendant must show that they had a reasonable fear of harm or death. This fear must have been based on the facts as they existed at the time of the altercation.
The following are some factors that a domestic violence lawyer may use to build a defense of self-defense:
- Was the defendant being attacked?
- Did the defendant use only the amount of force necessary to defend themselves?
- Was the defendant acting in self-defense out of fear for their safety or the safety of others?
Defense of others
This is another typical legal defense for domestic violence charges. To be victorious, the defendant must demonstrate that they were acting to protect someone else from serious harm and that they used only necessary force. Like self-defense, if the defendant can prove the defense of others, they may be able to have the charges lessened or taken away completely.
Consent
Consent is another legal defense that can be used for these types of charges. To win a case, the defendant must successfully demonstrate that the victim consented to the physical altercation. This can be difficult to prove.
There are several places where someone might have consented to a physical altercation. Some examples include: in a sporting event, or a military engagement.
A statute of limitations
A statute of limitations defense can also be considered. The statute of limitations is the amount of time that a person must bring legal action. In most states, the statute of limitations for domestic violence charges is two years. This means that a person has two years from the time of the incident to file criminal charges. If they do not file within two years, they may be unable to file at all.
Following on from the types of defense played upon in domestic violence trials, it is useful to also consider injunctions. These will be present in many cases of domestic abuse where the parties involved require protection from the other party or even one another.
Injunctions
An injunction is a type of order that is issued by a court. The purpose of an injunction in domestic abuse trials is to protect the victim from the abuser. The injunction can also order the abuser to stay away from the victim and/or their home.
There are two types of injunctions in domestic violence cases:
- Temporary injunction
A temporary injunction is usually issued at the beginning of the case, and it lasts until the court makes a final decision on the case.
- Permanent injunction
A permanent injunction is issued if the court decides that the abuser is guilty of domestic violence.
An injunction is a powerful tool that can help protect victims of domestic violence.
If you are facing charges of domestic abuse, it is important to speak with an experienced domestic violence lawyer. They will be able to help you understand your rights and guide you through the process.
Each state has its laws regarding domestic violence defenses, so it is important that you find a lawyer who has the relevant knowledge of your state.
