Domestic violence charges can have a serious impact on the rest of your life. If you have questions about domestic violence issues, contact our firm to schedule a consultation with an experienced criminal defense attorney today.
You Are Not Alone
If you are facing domestic violence issues, you need to know that you are not alone. You have an advocate to defend you from being trampled on by your adversary.
I have been handling Domestic violence, and many types of criminal and family law cases as an attorney in Spokane, Washington, for more than 10 years. I know how to fight aggressively for you. E-mail me at the law firm of Gina M. Costello & Associates, P.S., to consult with a lawyer.
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From the Spokane, Washington, law firm of Gina M. Costello & Associates, P.S., I have been handling domestic violence cases for more than 10 years.
Allegations of domestic violence can be a scary time for everyone involved, whether they are the victim or the accused. But you should know that we are here for you. You are not alone.
Domestic Violence Charges and Sentencing
Most domestic violence charges can be charged as either a felony or a misdemeanor. A defendant charged with a felony can serve significant time in prison, whereas a defendant charged with a misdemeanor may serve only a short jail term or be required to pay a fine, attend counseling or be put on probation. Contact Gina M. Costello & Associates, P.S. in Spokane, Washington, today to schedule a consultation with a criminal defense attorney to discuss your options.
Misdemeanor or felony?
Whether a crime is a felony or a misdemeanor is determined by the seriousness of the crime and the relevant state laws. In many jurisdictions, acts that result in serious injuries are charged as felonies. Cases with no injury or slight injury are charged as misdemeanors. A prosecutor may consider prior violent acts by the defendant to determine the level of crime to charge.
Misdemeanor penalties
Sentencing for misdemeanor domestic violence convictions differs state to state. The penalties also depend on the specific facts of each case. The court will consider prior convictions, whether the abuser was on probation or parole, the local community's attitude toward the crime and any mitigating or aggravating circumstances. Some of the penalties that may attach to misdemeanor domestic violence include:
- Probation
- Mandatory treatment programs
- Short to moderate jail sentences
- Fines
- Restitution to the victim
In many states, misdemeanor defendants may face up to a year in the county jail plus a significant fine for each charged offense, but judges may be more lenient for first time offenders.
Felony sentencing
Penalties for felony convictions are more serious than for misdemeanors, and vary greatly by state, by the severity of the crime and by the particular circumstances of each case. Generally, penalties range from shorter prison terms and moderate fines for less severe felonies to life sentences and large fines for more serious offenses. States with the death penalty may seek it in cases of domestic violence that result in death.
Speak to a domestic violence lawyer
Contact Gina M. Costello & Associates, P.S. in Spokane today to schedule a consultation with a criminal defense attorney who can explain the domestic violence laws in Washington and how they apply to your situation.
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