Over the past couple of months, domestic violence charges have seen a drastic spike. If you are someone who is being charged with domestic violence, you must read on and reach out to our experienced New Jersey criminal defense attorney who is ready to fight for your rights. Here are some of the questions you may have:
What does New Jersey’s Prevention of Domestic Violence Act do?
The Prevention of Domestic Violence Act of 1991 is in place to protect victims of domestic violence in New Jersey. New Jersey courts allow victims to pursue both civil and criminal relief against their abusers, which means you have a lot on the line if you are being accused of domestic violence. A domestic relationship is defined as follows:
- People who live together
- Dating couples
- Individuals who share a child or children
- Separated parties
- Divorced parties
- Married parties
That being said, if you have done any of the following to any of the aforementioned parties, it is considered an act of domestic violence:
- Simple assault
- Terroristic threats
- Homicide
- Harassment
- Sexual assault
- Stalking
What are the consequences of a domestic violence charge in New Jersey?
If you are charged with domestic violence, you will first receive a temporary restraining order against the victim, which will then most likely be made permanent. Not only will this prevent you from seeing the victim, but if you have children with the victim, it may drastically affect your child custody agreement and more. From here, the victim can then press charges against you, causing you to spend years behind bars. Once you serve your time, you will then have to deal with the ramifications of obtaining a criminal record, which will make it incredibly difficult to get a job, take out certain loans, and even live in certain areas. That is why you need an attorney who knows the ins and outs of the criminal justice system.
Unfortunately, many people are falsely accused of domestic violence every day. If this has happened to you, our firm can work to prove that you either simply did not commit the crime, or that if you did commit an act of domestic violence, you either did so in self-defense or you did not know what you were doing at the time. Of course, every case is different, which is why you must retain the services of an experienced New Jersey criminal defense attorney who can asses the unique circumstances of your case and provide the best defense going forward.
Contact our experienced New Jersey firm
Thomas DeMarco & Associates, LLC is an experienced Camden County criminal defense law firm located in Mt. Ephraim, New Jersey. We understand how potentially damaging a criminal can be, which is why we pride ourselves in our willingness to fight for our client’s rights. Our firm handles all criminal matters and is ready to provide you with our knowledgeable legal counsel. Do not hesitate to contact our firm to discuss your legal situation.
