The Various Forms of Domestic Abuse

Michigan State Police identify various forms of domestic abuse, which are wide-ranging. Because domestic violence represents a pattern of abusive behaviors, it's important to recognize the many forms it can take. 

Physical Abuse

Physical abuse is a common form of domestic abuse, and it’s the most dangerous. Examples include: pushing, shoving, hitting, slapping, punching, biting, or otherwise harming the victim physically.

Emotional Abuse

Emotional abuse can be difficult to prove, but the harm caused is undeniable. Examples include: taunting the victim, humiliating or degrading the victim.

Sexual Abuse

Sexual abuse is a common component of domestic violence.

 

Financial Abuse

Domestic abuse is a mechanism of control that is designed to chip away at the victim and make it difficult – or next to impossible – for them to break free. Consider these examples: prohibiting the victim from earning their own money, prohibiting the victim from obtaining additional education that would enhance their earning potential.

 

When a victim is isolated to this degree – with no resources to counteract the effects – getting out safely becomes very challenging. 

 

Learn more regarding domestic violence and assault charges here.

 

Consult a Trusted Criminal Defense Attorney in Michigan about Your Case 

 

If you’re looking for a criminal defense attorney in Michigan with extensive and specialized experience following an arrest, please consider calling the Ann-Arbor based practice of GLG Michigan.  (734) 263-2780

Personal Protection Orders Work in Michigan

Help for domestic violence victims can come in the form of personal protection orders (PPOs), which many refer to as restraining
orders. The intention behind such orders is to put the brakes on abuse and affording victims with specific protections. PPOs often require alleged abusers to discontinue practices like:

 

●      Contacting the victim – whether that means in person, on the phone, by mail, or electronically.

●      Approaching or following the victim.

●      Entering the victim’s home.

●      Threatening the victim or someone they care about with harm, sexual assault, or death.

●      Coming to the victim’s school or place of employment.

●      Engaging in any additional acts that cause the victim to experience fear.

●      Possessing or purchasing a gun.

 

Violating a restraining order is a separate crime that comes with serious penalties of its own.

 

Learn more regarding domestic violence and assault charges here.

 

Consult a Trusted Criminal Defense Attorney in Michigan about Your Case 

 

If you’re looking for a criminal defense attorney in Michigan with extensive and specialized experience following an arrest, please consider calling the Ann-Arbor based practice of GLG Michigan.  (734) 263-2780

Domestic Violence and Assault Charge Legal Penalties in Michigan

 The penalties associated with simple assault charges include: 

●      A first offense is a misdemeanor that comes with jail time of up to 93 days and fines of up to $500. 

●      A second offense remains a misdemeanor, but you can face up to a year in jail and fines of up to $1,000. 

●      A third offense is a felony, and a conviction carries up to five years in prison and fines of up to $2,500.

 

Other considerations are probation, community service, and court costs. Because the stakes are high, you need a practiced domestic violence defense attorney in your corner. When the charge is aggravated assault, the penalties are even more serious. Consider the following:

 

●      A first offense is charged as a misdemeanor that carries a jail sentence of up to a year and fines of up to $1,000. 

●      A second offense is charged as a felony that carries a prison sentence of up to 5 years and fines of up to $5,000.

 

Learn more regarding domestic violence and assault charges here.

 

Consult a Trusted Criminal Defense Attorney in Michigan about Your Case 

 

If you’re looking for a criminal defense attorney in Michigan with extensive and specialized experience following an arrest, please consider calling the Ann-Arbor based practice of GLG Michigan.  (734) 263-2780

Is It Domestic Abuse?

For the charge of domestic abuse – also called domestic violence and spousal abuse – to apply, there are conditions that must
be met. 

The Qualifying Relationship

The charge of domestic abuse relates specifically to domestic relationships, which include all the following:

 

●      The accused and the victim live in the same household, or they did in the past. 

●      The accused and the victim are married or are in a romantic relationship, or they were in the past.

●      The accused is the victim’s parent, adoptive parent, stepparent, or foster parent.

 

The Qualifying Act

For specific acts to qualify as domestic violence, they must be included in one of the following classifications:

 

●      The accused intentionally struck fear of imminent harm in the victim, which is classified as domestic assault. 

●      The accused intentionally inflicted violence or force on the victim, which is classified as domestic battery.  

 

While the victim of assault doesn’t have to be physically harmed for the charge to apply, aggravated assault charges apply when the victim is injured to the degree that they require immediate medical attention. 

 

Learn more regarding domestic violence and assault charges here.

 
Consult a Trusted Criminal Defense Attorney in Michigan about Your Case 

 

If you’re looking for a criminal defense attorney in Michigan with extensive and specialized experience following an arrest, please consider calling the Ann-Arbor based practice of GLG Michigan.  (734) 263-2780