Domestic violence charges can have both short and long-term consequences. The details of the charges determine whether domestic violence is considered a misdemeanor or a felony in New Jersey.

What is Domestic Violence?

Domestic violence is violence that occurs between domestic partners. This may include spouses or immediate family members. It may also include friends, roommates, or ex-spouses. Domestic violence specifically includes acts of violence like hitting, shoving, kicking, or pushing. It may also include sexual abuse.

What Happens After Someone Reports Domestic Violence?

New Jersey police officers are trained to take domestic violence reports seriously. This means if the police are called due to potential domestic violence, there’s a good chance that the suspected offender will be arrested. Because priority is on protecting the victim, there will be little to no initial investigation. The police don’t need evidence to arrest someone if they’re accused of domestic violence. New Jersey is a must arrest State if there are any signs of injury related to a domestic violence incident. 

Some cities have mandatory hold times for domestic violence, whereas others may require that the offender leave the home for a certain period of time.

What Happens If I’m Falsely Accused of Domestic Violence?

New Jersey takes a strict stance on domestic violence laws to protect victims. However, these same laws can be harmful when someone is wrongly accused of domestic violence charges. False accusations of domestic violence are somewhat common, as they are sometimes used to get back at someone after a disagreement. If you’re dealing with domestic violence charges, and you believe you were wrongly accused, it’s important to reach out to an experienced criminal defense lawyer as soon as possible.

Being falsely charged with domestic violence can be even more difficult when navigating another court case, such as when going through a divorce or child custody case. For this reason, it’s important to work with a New Jersey defense lawyer who can help to prove your innocence.

Contact an Experienced Marlton Criminal Defense Lawyer About Your Domestic Violence Charges in New Jersey

Were you arrested or charged with domestic violence in New Jersey? The consequences of a conviction could be severe, leaving you with a permanent criminal record and possibly even sending you to jail. That is why you need to speak with a qualified criminal defense attorney as soon as possible about your case. The Law Office of John B. Brennan has successfully represented clients charged with domestic violence in Marlton, Voorhees, Mt. Laurel, Medford, and throughout New Jersey. Call (856) 446-5123 or fill out the online contact form to schedule a consultation with a member of our legal team. We have an office conveniently located at 10,000 Lincoln Dr. East, Suite 201, Marlton, NJ 08053.

The articles on this blog are for informative purposes only and are no substitute for legal advice or an attorney-client relationship. If you are seeking legal advice, please contact our law firm directly.