Indianapolis Domestic Violence Lawyer
Domestic violence is a crime against intimate partners. This may include spouses and sexual or dating partners, as well as family members, children, and cohabitants. Originally known as a crime against wives, men can be victims of domestic violence as well.
Domestic violence is not usually a one-time event. It tends to be recurring, placing victims in constant fear and causing significant physical and emotional harm. In severe cases, it can lead to death. Because of the effects of domestic violence, the penalties are often harsh. Some possible consequences include:
- Community service
- Jail time
- Fines
- Anger management or intervention programs
- Restraining or protective orders
- Termination of parental rights or supervised visits with children
- Deportation (if not an American citizen)
Domestic violence is typically a misdemeanor but can be a felony charge in severe cases.
Rigney Law LLC can help you with the charges you face. Contact our experienced Indianapolis domestic violence lawyer to get solid defense for your case.
What is Considered Domestic Violence?
Domestic violence is a pattern of abusive behavior in a domestic relationship that is used to control a partner. Types of abuse include:
- Physical abuse. This can include hitting, biting, slapping, shoving, punching, pulling hair, burning, pinching, or any other type of violent behavior inflicted on the victim. Denying someone medical treatment can also constitute physical abuse.
- Sexual abuse. This occurs when the abuser coerces a person into having sexual contact with them without the victim’s consent. This often takes the form of marital rape, attacking sexual body parts, physical violence caused by forced sex, and sexually demeaning the victim.
- Emotional abuse. This abuse involves invalidating the victim’s sense of self-worth or self-esteem. It may also take the form of constant criticism, name-calling, or harming the victim’s relationship with their children.
- Economic abuse. This type of abuse takes place when the abuser makes the victim financially reliant. Economic abusers tend to maintain total control over financial resources, withhold the victim’s access to funds, or prohibit them from going to work.
- Psychological abuse. This type of abuse involves the use of fear and intimidation, destruction of property, and threats to physically hurt others, including the victim, children, the victim’s family or friends, or the pets. Isolation and threats to use a weapon are also forms of psychological abuse.
- Stalking can take on many forms. It may include following the victim, spying, harassment, showing up at the victim’s home or work, sending gifts, making an excessive number of phone calls, or leaving written messages.
Contact Rigney Law LLC Today
Domestic violence can cause significant physical and emotional harm to a person. Because of this, a person accused of this type of abuse can face serious penalties.
The team at Rigney Law LLC can assist you with domestic violence charges and ensure you get the best result possible. Schedule a free consultation with our Indianapolis domestic violence lawyer today by calling (317) 623-0989 or filling out the online form.
