Understanding Criminal Charges for Domestic Violence in Connecticut

 Posted on August 05, 2021 in Domestic Violence

There are many different situations in which a person may face domestic violence charges. For example, an argument between spouses or other family members may spiral out of control, and law enforcement may be called after receiving a report from a neighbor or someone else who was involved. While reports of domestic violence may be made for legitimate reasons, they can also be based on false accusations, such as when a parent is attempting to gain an advantage in a child custody dispute. Those who have been accused of committing domestic violence will need to understand the specific charges they may face and the potential consequences of a criminal conviction.

Connecticut Family Violence Charges

Under Connecticut’s laws, domestic violence is referred to as “family violence,” and it involves any incidents in which a family or household member suffers bodily injury or physical harm or faces the threat of violence. “Family or household members” may include spouses, former spouses, parents and children, other family members who are related by blood or marriage, people who are in a dating relationship or who have formerly dated each other, unmarried couples who are cohabitating or who have lived together in the past, and people who share a child, regardless of whether they are currently living together or have ever lived together.

Following reports of family violence, police officers may investigate the situation, and depending on their determinations, a person may be arrested and charged with a crime. Potential criminal charges in family violence cases may include:

• Assault - This offense involves the infliction of physical injury to someone else. These charges may range from first-degree assault involving serious injuries or the use of a deadly weapon, which is a Class B felony, to third-degree assault involving more minor injuries, which is a Class A misdemeanor.
• Sexual assault - If a person is accused of forcing their spouse or another member of their family to engage in sexual intercourse or other sexual conduct, they may face charges of sexual assault. This offense is typically charged as a Class B felony, although it may be charged as a Class A felony if the alleged victim was less than 16 years old.
• Threatening - Accusations that a person has placed a member of their family in fear of being physically injured, including situations where a person threatens violence with the intent to terrorize someone else, may result in charges of second-degree threatening, which is typically charged as a Class A misdemeanor.
• Stalking - A person may be accused of following, observing, harassing, or communicating with a family or household member in a way that leads to emotional distress or causes them to fear for the safety of themselves or their family members. Charges of second-degree stalking, a Class A misdemeanor, may apply if a person is accused of committing two or more of these acts.
• Violation of an order of protection - In some domestic violence cases, an order of protection may be issued that prohibits a person from engaging in certain acts, such as harassing, threatening, or communicating with family members. Violation of the terms of an order of protection is a Class D felony. If a violation involves accusations of threatening, harassing, or assaulting a family member, a person may be charged with a Class C felony.

Contact Our Stamford Domestic Violence Defense Lawyer

If you have been accused of domestic violence, The Law Offices of Daniel P. Weiner can provide you with a skilled defense. We will make sure you understand the specific charges and the potential consequences you may face, while also working to help you avoid a conviction and address issues that may affect your relationship with your loved ones. Contact our Fairfield County family violence defense attorney by calling 203-348-5846 to schedule a free consultation.

Sources:

https://www.jud.ct.gov/faq/Domviolence.htm

https://www.cga.ct.gov/current/pub/chap_815e.htm#sec_46b-38a

http://www.ctcadv.org/information-about-domestic-violence/ct-domestic-violence-laws/