Arkansas Domestic Violence Defense

Involved in a Domestic Violence Dispute in Arkansas?

Qualified Arkansas criminal defense attorneys have the knowledge, skill and experience that will provide you with the best possible defense for your case

Facing Domestic Violence Charges

The immediate need of a defense attorney after being arrested for a domestic violence dispute is no simple matter. If you are being charged with domestic violence, this complicated matter can certainly make you feel as if there are no solutions to your situation. In many cases, a domestic violence defendant can face being ordered to leave his or her home; being prohibited to visit or even see his or her children; and can even demand imprisonment. While these are some of the most severe results of being charged with domestic violence, they are nonetheless common results. In many cases, defendants will also run the risk of losing his or her employment. This is particularly true if the defendant works in the justice field or public sector.

If you have been accused and charged with domestic violence, an expert attorney can champion for your rights. A criminal defense attorney will see that the charges you are facing fit your crime. Further, he or she will fight to protect your rights and see these rights are upheld and protected.

Domestic Violence

The United States Department of Justice website defines domestic violence as being a recurring behavior which is abusive in a relationship. This abusive behavior is typically caused by one individual on to the other in order to be controlling or gain power over him or her. Domestic violence can take many forms. It can be sexual abuse, or even economic abuse. Domestic violence can also be psychological abuse. Threatening, which negatively influences a victim, can also be considered domestic violence. The most commonly known form of domestic violence is physical, however, in which on partner physically hurts or injures the other. In domestic violence disputes, abusive patterns of behavior can include, but are not limited to:

• A recurring humiliation of an individual;
• Purposefully terrorizing or coercing the other individual; and/or
• Repeatedly intimidating and manipulating a victim.

While domestic violence is most commonly initiated between intimate partners, domestic violence can also be a charge concerning anyone who lives under the same household. For example, domestic violence can happen between parents and children, grandparents, or any other individual who lives in the same property. No relation to the individual is necessary.

What Are The Arkansas Penalties If You Are Charged?

If you are officially determined guilty in domestic violence charges, Arkansas penalties range from a Class A misdemeanor charge--punishable by up to 1 year in prison and up to $2,500 in fines--to Class Y felony charge--punishable by up to life imprisonment and up to $15,000 in fines. While Arkansas doesn’t have an explicit Domestic Violence crime category on its own, the following misdemeanors and felonies (and their accompanying penalties) commonly occur in DV charging. For misdemeanors:

• Class A Misdemeanors. Battery 3rd Degree; domestic battery 3rd degree; sexual assault in the fourth degree; assault in the first degree; and sexual assault in the fourth degree, only if the person engages only in sexual contact, are all Class A misdemeanor. A Class A misdemeanor is the most serious type of misdemeanor in Arkansas and it is punishable by up to one year in jail and a fine of up to $2,500.
• Class B Misdemeanors. Battery in the first degree; assault in the second degree; sexual extortion; and domestic battering in the first degree are all Class B misdemeanors. A conviction for a Class B misdemeanor can result in a jail term of up to 90 days and a fine of up to $1,000.
• Class C Misdemeanors. Assault in the third degree and third degree assault on a family or household member are both Class C misdemeanors. Class C misdemeanors are the least serious misdemeanors in Arkansas, punishable by up to 30 days in jail and a fine of up to $500.

And for felonies:

• Capital Murder. This crime doesn’t belong to any class, as do the following felony levels below. Rather, committing either Capital Murder is punishable by either death or life imprisonment.
• Class Y Felonies. Class Y felonies are the most serious crimes in Arkansas not punishable by death. A conviction for a Class Y felony can result in a prison term of 10 to 40 years or life. Rape is a Class Y felony.
• Class A Felonies. Class A felonies in Arkansas are punishable by six to 30 years’ imprisonment and a fine of up to $15,000. Engaging in sexual intercourse after testing HIV-positive or while having HIV or AIDS is a Class A felony.  
• Class B Felonies. Under Arkansas’s laws, the sentence for a Class B felony is five to 20 years in prison and a fine of up to $15,000. Intentionally using a deadly weapon to cause serious injury to a family member (domestic violence) is a Class B felony..
• Class D Felonies. Class D felonies are the least serious felonies in Arkansas, punishable by up to six years in prison and a fine of up to $10,000. Forcing a person to engage in prostitution, and aggravated assault are both examples of a Class D felony.

The primary factors influencing which type of penalty is likely to be imposed are the following:

• The victim’s relationship to you; for instance, domestic violence against one of your parents, versus domestic violence against a spouse or live-in partner.
• The nature of the purposeful terrorizing and/or coercing of the other individual; and/or
• Repeatedly intimidating and manipulating a victim, and to what extent this effected the victim’s daily life.

Facing Wrongful Domestic Violence Accusations

Unfortunately, there are countless situations in which one individual wrongfully accuses his or her partner of committing domestic violence. Aggrieved partners are able to make a simple accusation that will spark an investigation, which can ultimately change a person’s life. When feeling angry or betrayed, a resentful partner can make a wrongful accusation in an attempt to get revenge. Messy divorces or separations can often be a difficult situation to experience and if children are involved, it is common to see false accusations arise due to the attempt to gain sole custody of the children. These types of cases can quickly become very stressful and traumatic. A dangerous battle of hearsay can take a complete hold on your entire life. False accusations can be common and if this is your case, contacting an expert attorney can help overturn your case.

The Repercussions of Being Accused of Domestic Violence

Being charged with domestic violence can be one of the most devastating crimes you can be charged with. If you have been accused and charged with domestic violence, it is important that you know that this type of case can affect your employment. It can also affect any future employments and/or promotions. Hiring a qualified attorney who has experience in the matter can greatly benefit your case. An expert attorney will be able to determine if the charges filed against you fit your actions. He or she will also be able to see that your civil rights are being upheld.

If you have been blamed and charged with domestic violence, the implications of such can take an immediate effect on your life. Before you are legally convicted, you can be forced to move out of your home and you can also be prohibited to have contact with your children, if they are underage. Many domestic violence convictions can indicate a denial or severe visiting limitations with your children. In the worst cases, a conviction can implicate a complete loss your child’s custody. In addition to losing parental rights, a domestic violence defendant can be imprisoned, pay fines or post bail, be ordered to enroll in anger management programs, counseling, or even be placed in probation.

Defend Your Case

Being charged with domestic violence can have serious and immediate consequences. Unbeknown to many defendants, investigations can begin immediately without the need of much evidence. It is important that you begin working on your defense case sooner, rather than later. Don’t wait until it becomes harder to prove your case, begin defending your case immediately. Hiring an expert criminal defense attorney can be beneficial to your case. False accusations can happen to anyone, and even if that is not your case, you still have rights that can and should be protected. A qualified attorney should be knowledgeable and experienced in investigating the complications and difficulties of a domestic violence case. A professional attorney will also be sympathetic to the emotional nature of the case. A qualified criminal defense attorney will have the knowledge, skill and experience that will provide you with the best possible defense to your case.