Phoenix Domestic Violence Lawyer

Have you been accused of domestic violence? Much is at stake, and you may be at risk not just of facing serious criminal charges and penalties, but also of losing custody of your children, of facing a restraining order and of having a ruined reputation. You need a Phoenix domestic violence attorney to defend your rights and help you avoid a criminal conviction and all the other serious consequences of these allegations.

In Arizona, law enforcement is granted the authority to make an arrest for domestic violence with or without a warrant, if the officer has probable cause to believe the defendant has committed some form of domestic violence (felony or misdemeanor) - regardless of whether this crime occurred in the officer's presence. What does this mean to Arizona residents? It means that they are more than likely to face arrest once law enforcement is called on the scene.

What is Domestic Violence?

There are particular circumstances which will cause a violent crime, such as assault, to be classified as domestic violence. In Arizona, this applies when:

• The victim and defendant are married or were previously married
• The victim and defendant live together
• The victim and defendant have a child together, or one party is pregnant by the other party
• The victim and defendant are related by blood or marriage
• The victim is the child of the defendant or lives in the same household as the defendant

Domestic violence may include any of a number of acts, including physical abuse, assault, sexual assault, rape, emotional abuse, sexual abuse, neglect, and child endangerment.

Aggravated Domestic Violence in Phoenix, Arizona

Aggravated domestic violence may be charged when an offender has two or more prior violations of domestic violence within a 5-year period. Aggravated domestic violence is a class 5 felony offense, punishable by 9 months to 2 years in prison.

Whether you are facing regular or aggravated domestic violence charges, you need immediate, aggressive defense counsel. Contact Phoenix domestic violence defense attorney Richard Suzuki today for a free consultation!