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Criminal Law Blog

A Look at Domestic Violence Laws in Arizona

February 25, 2015

Getting charged and convicted of domestic violence can have a huge impact on your life. Regardless of the circumstances surrounding a domestic violence incident, you deserve a robust defense organized by a skilled criminal defense attorney. It’s also a good idea to learn about domestic violence laws in Arizona so you can avoid domestic violence charges in the first place.

Types of Domestic Violence

Many people think that domestic violence only occurs between married couples. Domestic violence is defined as violence or the threat of violence between any two people who share a house, are or have been romantically involved, or are related by blood or marriage. This includes children and stepchildren. Contrary to popular belief, females aren’t the only victims of domestic violence—men are often victims, too.

Probable Cause

An officer may arrest an individual with or without a warrant if the officer has probable cause to believe that domestic violence has been committed. Probable cause might include the presence of an injury, or if an individual is using a weapon to threaten or intimidate another. An officer might arrest both parties involved if he or she believes that each person committed independent acts of domestic violence. Self-defense acts are not considered domestic violence, and will not result in charges.

Consequences of Conviction

A domestic violence conviction can lead to a variety of consequences, depending on the circumstances of the incident. A conviction can make it very difficult to get a job, or prevent an individual from obtaining a firearm. Some people have restraining orders taken out against them, or lose custody of their children. Immigrants convicted of domestic violence may even be deported.

While you might think that domestic violence is something that should be handled within your family, the state of Arizona doesn’t agree. If you’re facing domestic violence charges, let Janet Altschuler organize your defense. Janet Altschuler is a Tucson criminal defense attorney with more than 17 years of experience.

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