The Legal Representation
You Need.

Glendale Domestic Violence Attorney

Domestic violence is one of the most serious misdemeanor charges you can face because of the numerous collateral consequences that will occur if you are convicted. A conviction can change your life in very bad ways. It is critical that you speak with a criminal defense attorney as soon as you are charged in order to maximize your chances of winning or getting a favorable outcome to your case. Schedule a free consultation with a Glendale domestic violence attorney at The Law Offices of John Phebus Glendale Criminal and Personal Injury Lawyer as soon as possible. Our experienced defense lawyer, John Phebus is here to help with your case.

Our lawyers can be reached by calling (623) 847-7117 or by completing our online contact form. Our office hours are from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday. Evening and weekend appointments are available based on the needs of our clients.

Content

Consequences of a domestic violence conviction
Consequences as an immigrant
What are domestic charges?
What qualifies as domestic violence?
Can domestic abuse charges be dropped?
Restraining orders

Consequences of a Domestic Abuse Charge in Arizona

Something as minor as a loud verbal argument could get you charged with disorderly conduct or threatening and intimidating. A domestic abuse charge can have severe penalties, it may involve jail time and/or not being able to work in your profession. It’s in your best interest to speak with a Glendale domestic abuse attorney to start working on a defense for your case. Some consequences for this crime include:

  • In Arizona, if you are convicted of a domestic assault, you must be ordered to attend at least a 26-week domestic violence class, which usually costs about $600.
  • If you are a teacher, your fingerprint clearance card will probably be revoked.
  • If you work as a nurse or another profession where you interact with children, you could lose your fingerprint clearance card. Clearance cards are required to maintain and be hired for these types of jobs.
  • You will be barred for life from owning a firearm.

The Omnibus Consolidated Appropriations Act of 1997 amended the Federal Gun Control Act, 18 U.S.C. § 922(g)(9). Under its provisions, it is unlawful for an individual convicted of a state or federal “misdemeanor crime of domestic violence” to “ship, transport, possess or receive firearms or ammunition.” Law enforcement officers and government employees (such as security guards or military personnel) are not exempt from this law with respect to their receipt or possession of firearms or ammunition.

Therefore, law enforcement and other government employees who have been convicted of a qualifying misdemeanor will not be able to lawfully possess or receive firearms or ammunition for any purposes, including performing their official duties. Hunting and the right to bear arms are major parts of our western heritage, of our Arizona tradition. A physical abuse charge could prevent you from ever hunting or owning a gun.

Impact on Your Immigration Status

If you are not a United States citizen, and you get convicted of a domestic violence offense, you will probably be barred from ever becoming an American citizen. Even if you are in the U.S. legally, you may be deported if you are convicted.

People have a common misunderstanding about the court. Many believe that if it is your word against someone else’s and there is no evidence, a person cannot be found guilty. This is not true. In the vast majority of misdemeanor cases, convictions are obtained by the government merely on the testimony of a single witness who was present. If you or a loved one has been charged with a criminal offense, it’s important that you seek legal representation from a domestic violence attorney in Glendale as soon as possible.Glendale domestic violence attorney

What are Domestic Charges?

Domestic violence charges include felony or misdemeanor crimes including a fight, criminal damage, physical abuse, disorderly conduct or other criminal acts with your spouse, parent, brother, sister or other close relatives, family members, and even your roommate. A true domestic abuse case, where one spouse mentally or physically abuses the other, often for years and with devastating consequences for the entire family, must be treated with the utmost seriousness. However, the vast majority of domestic violence cases are more complicated and not so simple to classify. Most situations involve a lot of mutual behavior by both sides that culminated in the police getting called. When the police arrive, they have to make a quick decision about who is guilty. Even though both husband and wife almost always bear some of the blame, the officer will have to decide who to file criminal charges against and who to classify as the victim. For practical reasons, filing charges against both sides is rarely done.

What Are Some Acts That Qualify as Domestic Violence?

In Arizona, there is a fine line between what qualifies as domestic abuse and what doesn’t. Learning where this line lies can help you stay on the right side – as well as argue your innocence if you were wrongly accused of domestic or partner abuse. Understanding how the state defines this crime is one thing, but seeing real-life examples can give you a clearer picture of how Arizona identifies domestic charges. The following acts are examples of punishable domestic abuse in Arizona:

  • Physical violence. Physically striking, slapping, punching, biting, shoving, or battering a child, spouse, ex-spouse, parent/grandparent, blood relative, or household member will qualify as domestic abuse. Any act of physical assault against these victims, whether it causes an injury or not, can qualify as a crime.
  • Sexual abuse. Any form of sexual abuse or coercion against a household member or other qualifying victim will constitute domestic violence. These acts include unwanted sexual touching, kissing, or other sexual advances without consent, as well as sexual behaviors or the attempt to coerce someone into sexual acts.
  • Emotional and psychological violence. Shouting at a domestic household member, verbally threatening/intimidating someone, or saying things to lower the victim’s self-worth or self-esteem can qualify as domestic violence. You don’t need to raise a finger against the person for the courts to convict you of emotional domestic abuse.
  • Financial/economic abuse. Taking someone else’s money, refusing to let a spouse have a job, or otherwise forcing the victim to become financially reliant on you can qualify as domestic abuse. This is a form of attack that can perpetuate a cycle of violence and make it impossible for the harmed party to leave.

Arizona’s definition of domestic violence includes many forms of abuse and acts that will qualify them as a crime. A victim can file domestic violence charges against a spouse, family member, or roommate for almost any of these acts. After an allegation, the victim does not have the ability to rescind his or her accusation. The case will go to the state and they will decide to go forward with prosecution or not. It’s crucial to hire a Glendale domestic violence lawyer to defend you if someone has accused you of any domestic abuse act as soon as possible. A strong defense could be the only thing standing between you and serious criminal consequences including prison time.

Can Charges Be Dropped in a Domestic Violence Case?

Domestic abuse is a crime; therefore, the State brings the charges. The attacked party may decide to drop the charges, but a district attorney and a judge will ultimately decide if the case is dismissed or not. In some cases, prosecution may continue even if the victim dropped the charges and refuses to testify. If the State chooses not to file charges, then all the parties involved will be notified.

Domestic Violence and Restraining Orders

An Emergency Protective Order (EPO) is a common step abuse victims will take prior to, and during, a domestic violence case. In Arizona, this order will immediately provide protection against an alleged domestic abuser in emergency situations. If someone believes he/she is in imminent danger, that person can call 911 or visit a Glendale police department to request an EPO.

A judge will only grant a request for an order of protection if he/she believes the victim is in immediate danger of a serious injury. An emergency order of protection will last one day. After that, it is up to the harmed party to go to court and request a permanent restraining order. If a victim doesn’t take this step, the emergency order will expire and no longer apply. If a judge grants a request for a permanent protective order, the alleged abuser will be unable to go near or contact the injured party for up to one year, or permanently if the courts decide so. Each criminal defense case is unique and will have different rules for the temporary or permanent protective order. If you have questions about a protection order against you, a criminal defense lawyer in Glendale can help you understand the specifics of the protection order, help you work out logistics such as where you will live or whether you can interact with your children, and start planning a defense strategy in the event of a charge against you.

Defend Against Domestic Violence Charges Schedule a Free Consultation Today!

Domestic violence charges can have a severe impact on the life of the accused. Speaking with our Glendale domestic violence attorneys can help you understand the charges against you and how to proceed. Domestic abuse is a serious crime and should be handled as such. Our law firm has over 20 years of criminal defense experience and will work tirelessly to defend your rights. Contact The Law Offices of John Phebus Glendale Criminal and Personal Injury Lawyer to schedule a free consultation and start working on the best defense for your case.

Frequently Asked Questions

Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Sed lacinia ullamcorper condimentum. Aliquam auctor, velit eu ullamcorper molestie, arcu tellus mollis mauris, non consequat metus quam eu sapien. Curabitur lacus sem, cursus eget ultricies et, eleifend vel nulla. Pellentesque sollicitudin turpis porta ex aliquet, a ultricies neque dapibus. Aenean ultricies congue sapien id consequat. Aliquam erat volutpat. Donec vulputate semper metus a molestie. Vivamus felis metus, facilisis vel gravida quis, posuere ut diam.

Sed aliquet pharetra metus a commodo. Interdum et malesuada fames ac ante ipsum primis in faucibus. Aliquam eget risus lorem. Morbi volutpat auctor vulputate. Nulla at sem nibh. Aliquam vitae dictum justo. Mauris consequat scelerisque felis eu malesuada.

If you have been injured, hiring a personal injury attorney is one of the best decisions that you can make for your future. There are a number of reasons why it is beneficial to hire an attorney as opposed to handling the case without a lawyer. First, some personal injury cases involve complex legal concepts that may be difficult for you to understand if you don’t have a legal background.

Personal injury attorneys can also ensure that you accurately calculate the value of your claim. If you have sustained a serious injury that will continue to affect your life in the future, it can be very difficult to calculate how much you will need to cover medical expenses and lost wages in the future. But if you don’t calculate this accurately, you may end up accepting a settlement that does not cover all of your expenses. Don’t make this mistake – let an attorney analyze your case and help you determine the true value of your claim.

Personal injury lawyers can also handle the negotiations with the insurance company. Insurance adjusters are notorious for their attempts to get victims to accept unfair settlements or admit fault for the accident that caused their injuries. Saying the wrong thing to an adjuster could impact the rest of your case, which is why it’s so important to let an attorney speak to the insurance company on your behalf.

Having an attorney by your side is crucial if your case ends up going to trial. Most personal injury cases can be settled outside of the courtroom, but this is never guaranteed. You will need an attorney who can handle your case regardless of where it ends up. For these reasons – and so many more – it is crucial that you work with an experienced Georgia personal injury attorney.

If you have been injured, hiring a personal injury attorney is one of the best decisions that you can make for your future. There are a number of reasons why it is beneficial to hire an attorney as opposed to handling the case without a lawyer. First, some personal injury cases involve complex legal concepts that may be difficult for you to understand if you don’t have a legal background.

Personal injury attorneys can also ensure that you accurately calculate the value of your claim. If you have sustained a serious injury that will continue to affect your life in the future, it can be very difficult to calculate how much you will need to cover medical expenses and lost wages in the future. But if you don’t calculate this accurately, you may end up accepting a settlement that does not cover all of your expenses. Don’t make this mistake – let an attorney analyze your case and help you determine the true value of your claim.

Personal injury lawyers can also handle the negotiations with the insurance company. Insurance adjusters are notorious for their attempts to get victims to accept unfair settlements or admit fault for the accident that caused their injuries. Saying the wrong thing to an adjuster could impact the rest of your case, which is why it’s so important to let an attorney speak to the insurance company on your behalf.

Having an attorney by your side is crucial if your case ends up going to trial. Most personal injury cases can be settled outside of the courtroom, but this is never guaranteed. You will need an attorney who can handle your case regardless of where it ends up. For these reasons – and so many more – it is crucial that you work with an experienced Georgia personal injury attorney.

Request Free Consultation

Take the first step to protect your future.
Tell us about your case to receive a free
and confidential consultation.