A charge of assault involving domestic violence is a very serious accusation and a very common criminal charge. It as well often includes proceedings involving protective orders (restraining orders).
A person commits a crime of domestic violence if he commits one or more of the following offenses against a family or household member, or a current or former sexual or intimate partner, and where the conduct constitutes a credible threat to the other person’s safety:
- Criminal Threatening
- Sexual Assault
- Interference with Freedom
- Destruction of Property
- Unauthorized Entry
- Harassment
A conviction for a crime involving domestic violence can have serious consequences, to include never being able to possess a firearm again. As well, if a person commits a crime involving domestic violence, there may be an enhanced prison sentence for that person.
If a person is served with any type of notice seeking a protective order against that person, that person is entitled to a hearing within five (5 )days. Such a hearing is incredibly important because if a protective order is issued someone, that order may exist for a year or more, will prevent the person from doing certain things and going certain places, prevent that person from possessing a firearm during that time, and it will be part of that person’s criminal record.
If you are charged with a crime involving domestic violence or are served with notice of a protective order, you need an experienced and effective criminal defense attorney to represent you immediately. Because a crime of domestic violence can be a misdemeanor or felony-level charge, a person convicted of it may be sent to the House of Corrections or the New Hampshire State Prison. Such a conviction will also have other dire consequences on a person’s life. The criminal defense lawyers at Wilson, Bush, Durkin & Keefe have the proven record of success to defend you when you need it the most.
