Stop domestic violence and abuse on women

Domestic assault can involve several criminal charges

In mid-December, a Minnesota woman called 911 to report that a man had been abusive with her inside a residence. The woman also said that the man had a loaded gun. According to WDAZ, law enforcement found the woman had been choked and assaulted. They arrested the man and charged him with two counts of domestic assault, one felony count for domestic assault by strangulation and one misdemeanor count of domestic assault.
In many domestic assault cases, the best criminal defense lawyer Minneapolis knows that there are a number of associated criminal charges that carry with them strict consequences.

Defining domestic assault and associated charges

What are the charges for assault in Minnesota? Under Minnesota statute, domestic assault charges can involve inflicting or intending to inflict harm on a family or household member as well as committing an act with the intent to cause a victim to fear bodily injury or death. The state defines a family or household member as a spouse or former spouse, parents, children, people related by blood, people who currently live together or have lived together, people who have dated and people who have children together.

In addition to the varying degrees of domestic assault charges, there are several charges that may be added onto a domestic assault incident, such as the following:

  • Stalking – The state defines this as engaging in behavior that would cause someone to feel afraid, threatened or intimidated.
  • Violating a protective order – A victim can obtain a court order for protection that the accused must obey or else face criminal charges.
  • Criminal sexual conduct – There are five degrees of such charges in Minnesota, ranging from actions such as rape to behaviors that are considered lewd.

There can also be aggravating factors to each of these criminal charges, such as the use or presence of a firearm or the age of the victim. As the best criminal defense lawyer in Minneapolis knows, the number of previous domestic assault convictions a defendant has can also determine the severity of a charge.

Penalties

Depending on how someone is charged, the potential consequences can vary. For example, someone charged with felony domestic assault in Minnesota could face as much as five years in prison as well as a fine of up to $10,000. A stalking charge could carry a sentence of between five and 10 years in prison in addition to fines. Additionally, if the victim doesn’t show up to court, he or she may face penalties, such as arrest.

It is important for defendants to understand how and why they have been charged with domestic assault or related crimes. People with questions regarding these criminal charges should consult with the best criminal defense lawyer in Minneapolis

Max Keller has won countless jury trial cases involving misdemeanors and felonies, sex crimes, and DWI’s. He is a member of the Minnesota Society for Criminal Justice, which only allows the top 50 criminal defense attorneys in the state as members. Max is a frequent speaker at CLE’s and is often asked for advice by other defense attorneys across Minnesota.
Years of Experience: Approx. 20 years
Minnesota Registration Status: Active
Bar & Court Admissions:
State of Minnesota
Minnesota State Court
Minnesota Federal Court
8th Circuit Federal Court of Appeals
State of Maryland”

What to Do If You Have Been Charged with a Criminal Offense

Getting falsely accused of domestic violence in Minnesota may put you at risk of losing your job, custody of your children, or even your home. You may face criminal charges and the accusation may damage your reputation in the community, as people will now view you as an abuser. False domestic violence accusations often happen when couples are in a contentious relationship with a risk of divorce.
The top reasons for license suspension in Minnesota include driving under the influence of alcohol, repeated traffic violations, and failure to appear in court or pay fines. Failure to pay child support, criminal convictions and felonies, medical conditions/disabilities, and drag racing can also lead to license suspension. The suspension takes away your driving privileges, preventing you from driving legally.
Motorists arrested for allegedly driving while impaired might wonder, “Can you refuse a breathalyzer?” In Minnesota, the implied consent law requires a person licensed to drive, control, or operate a vehicle to agree to a chemical test to check for alcohol or other intoxicants in that person’s body. Refusing to submit to a breathalyzer or another chemical test is a crime, often charged as a gross misdemeanor.