DOMESTIC VIOLENCE ATTORNEYS IN JOLIET

Domestic Violence Defense Lawyers Serving Will County and Throughout Illinois

The definition of domestic violence has expanded significantly over the past few decades, as the definition of family has become more expansive. At the same time, prosecutors are more determined than ever to break the so-called "cycle of violence," or better yet, in their eyes, prevent it from taking shape in the first place. As a result, domestic battery convictions often result in lengthy incarceration and high fines, not to mention other penalties, such as restrictive protective orders and unwanted government scrutiny.

The attorneys at Reeder & Brown, P.C. make it our business to stand up for the individual rights of people who are charged with criminal offenses. While alleged victims of domestic violence deservedly get much of the attention, it is important to remember that those who are accused of domestic battery have rights as well. They have the right to engage in meaningful pretrial settlement negotiations. More importantly, they have the right to a vigorous defense at a fair trial, and it is our mission to see that the constitutional rights of defendants are protected.

Relationships That May Lead to Domestic Battery Charges

Illinois criminal laws state that domestic violence may be committed by a person against a member of their family or household. The potential victims of domestic violence may include:

• Spouses or ex-spouses
• Children or stepchildren
• A person's parents
• Anyone else currently or formerly related to a person by blood or marriage
• Roommates or anyone else who lives in a person's home
• The other parent of a person's child
• A current boyfriend or girlfriend or someone a person formerly dated
• Disabled people and their caregivers

Offenses and Possible Punishment

As with other types of assault and battery charges, domestic battery may involve a wide variety of actions. A person may be charged with domestic battery if they inflict bodily harm on a member of their family or household. However, domestic battery charges may also be pursued if a person is accused of making "physical contact of an insulting or provoking nature." This means that there does not have to be a physical or permanent injury to support a domestic battery charge, and a person who is accused of pushing someone out of the way or poking them in the chest could potentially be charged with a criminal offense.

Domestic battery is a Class A misdemeanor with a maximum punishment of one year in prison and a $2,500 fine. The crime may be charged as a Class 4 felony, with a maximum sentence of three years and a $25,000 fine, if the defendant had a prior conviction for domestic battery, a violent crime, or another related offense. Aggravated domestic battery, which may be charged if a person is accused of knowingly causing a family or household member to suffer a serious bodily injury, is a Class 2 felony with a minimum sentence of 60 days in jail and a maximum of seven years, as well as up to $25,000 in fines.

Contact Our Will County Domestic Battery Defense Attorneys

In many cases, overzealous police officers arrest suspects for domestic battery based on little or no physical evidence or solely on the account of one party involved. As there are nearly always two legitimate sides to a story, these cases are very difficult to prove unless there is physical evidence that acts of violence or abuse occurred. If you have been accused of domestic battery, our attorneys can help you gather and present mitigating evidence, or we may be able to show that the accusations against you were false and help you avoid consequences that could affect your relationship with loved ones or your reputation in the community.

For a free consultation regarding alleged domestic violence charges, contact Reeder & Brown, P.C. today at 815-885-5980. We represent clients throughout Joliet, Plainfield, Mokena, Frankfort, Crest Hill, Bolingbrook, Romeoville, and Will County.