Family disputes often trigger emotional responses. A single outburst against a loved one might have serious criminal and domestic consequences in Wisconsin. Further, offenders convicted of domestic violence often struggle to find work and take active roles in their children’s lives. Do not let family abuse allegations change the course of your life. Contact the experienced criminal defense and family law attorneys at Hogan Eickhoff immediately for a free consultation.
Wisconsin adopted extensive provisions governing domestic abuse claims and prosecutions in the State. Under Wisc. Stat. § 968.075, domestic abuse occurs when an offender victimizes a spouse, ex-spouse, co-parent, or adult household member by:
Complete defenses to domestic violence charges often involve submitting evidence to defeat an essential element of the crime. Such evidence may include sending prosecutors your text or email history to show there were no imminent threats of violence.
Offenders convicted of domestic-based offenses face criminal penalties for the underlying offense and potential sentencing enchantments depending on the relationship of trust between the parties. Additionally, certain family law consequences attach to qualifying domestic violence convictions in Appleton. Offenders might be removed from the household, subjected to a restraining order, denied equal asset distribution during a divorce, and lose custody of their children. These penalties often outweigh any criminal consequences of a domestic abuse conviction in the State.
Some household members falsify or exaggerate instances of domestic violence to obtain a beneficial outcome during custody and divorce litigation. Further, ex-spouses and custodial parents may submit evidence of previous domestic abuse pleas and convictions to the family court. Raising a complete defense to domestic violence charges now may prevent criminal penalties and protect your future interests.
The experienced criminal defense lawyers at Hogan Eickhoff might help clients establish the following substantive defenses to Wisconsin domestic abuse charges:
Successfully asserting these defenses with the help of an Appleton domestic violence lawyer often results in the dismissal of all charges. Defense counsel may also submit evidence of a not guilty verdict along with the meritorious reasons for dismissal to the family court during related litigation.
During many domestic abuse incidents, both parties might sustain injuries. First responders must generally determine which party initiated the physical or sexual confrontation. One spouse may qualify as the primary aggressor, but this does not always absolve the other party. Even the initial non-aggressor might respond disproportionately to the violence and cause more significant harm. Further, Wisconsin judges will look for any provoking or mitigating factors.
Domestic violence charges often require investigators to consider the emotions and family circumstances leading to the incident. The non-aggressor may have started a heated argument that got out of hand, or the aggressor may have walked in on an adulterous event. While these factors do not excuse causing physical or emotional harm to another, they may mitigate the overall level of the offense. Experienced criminal defense lawyers could utilize these factors to negotiate a beneficial plea deal, argue for a lesser sentence, or request alternative sentencing arraignments. Wisconsin prosecutors might drop charges against one party in favor of agreed counseling when it appears both parties contributed to the severity of the incident.
A domestic violence conviction may have life-altering consequences years after the even. Even dismissed spousal abuse charges might result in disproportionate asset distribution during a divorce or a denial of child custody and visitation rights. Presenting a complete and detailed defense to criminal domestic violence charges now might result in fairer treatment during future adoption, custody, and separation hearings.
Do not accept a plea deal or ignore the personal implications of a domestic violence conviction in Wisconsin. Family lawyers may work with defense counsel to submit evidence associated with the domestic abuse charges, such as a police report describing the reason for the incident, to explain the offense during divorce litigation.
Because of the personal implications of domestic violence charges, both Wisconsin’s criminal and family laws address spousal abuse claims. Defendants charged with domestic battery often require both criminal defense counsel and family-based legal aid. Successfully mitigating criminal charges does not prevent Wisconsin family courts from considering the circumstances surrounding the claims and imposing harsh domestic penalties.
Criminal defense lawyers who do not practice family law might unwittingly harm their client’s future domestic interests. If you’ve been charged with domestic violence in Oshkosh, Chilton, Green Bay, or Waupaca, trust your case to the experienced criminal and family-based defense lawyers at Hogan Eickhoff. Connect with our Appleton defense team today by calling (920) 450-9800 or contacting us online.
Dealing with criminal charges can be overwhelming and intimidating. The complexities of the legal system…
We've all seen it in movies and television shows when a police officer arrests someone:…
As a criminal defendant, you may think that your case is going to be decided…
When you are facing criminal charges, the stakes cannot be higher. Depending on the nature…
Being charged with a drug crime may have a significant impact on your life in…
Violent crimes are almost always charged as felonies. A conviction would lead to a jail…