Milford Domestic Violence Penalties
Even if your criminal record was completely clean prior to now, being charged with and convicted of a criminal offense designated as “family violence” could have a significant impact on both your personal and professional lives. In addition to criminal sanctions like fines, probation, and even sentences in jail or state prison, you may also face serious repercussions in family court as a result of this type of conviction. In some cases, you can face serious repercussions even absent a conviction.
In both respects, guidance from a seasoned domestic violence defense lawyer can be essential to enforcing your rights in the short term and minimizing the negative impact this type of allegation has on your life in the long term. From start to end of your legal proceedings, your dedicated legal representation can make sure you understand all the Milford domestic violence penalties you could potentially be facing and fight tenaciously to help you avoid them.
Criminal Penalties for a “Family Violence” Conviction
Being convicted of a crime designated as family violence does not mean you will automatically be facing harsher penalties. However, the penalties you could face are slightly different than those following a conviction for non-domestic violence classified crimes. For example, following a family violence conviction, the court could impose a standing criminal protective order. This is an order preventing certain contact with an individual (or individuals) and it can last for a very long time. Violation of this kind of order is a separate felony offense.
Additionally, following a conviction for family violence, you can be made to undergo domestic violence counseling through state programs like EVOLVE or EXPLORE.
Other than the above, the penalties for your conviction are guided by the classification of the crime you’re convicted of.
On the low end of the spectrum, an act of Disorderly Conduct categorized as family violence would generally be prosecuted as a Class C misdemeanor under Connecticut General Statutes (“C.G.S.”) §53a-182, punishable by just a maximum of $500 in fines and a three-month jail term. Conversely, Assault of a Pregnant Woman Resulting in Termination of Pregnancy—defined in C.G.S. §53a-59c—is one of the few offenses in the entire Connecticut Penal Code designated as a Class A felony, a conviction for which may result in penalties of up to $20,000 in fines and between 10 and 25 years in state prison.
What About Consequences in Family Court?
Regardless of the outcome of a domestic violence case in criminal court, the defendant may face alternative or additional penalties in a Milford family court in relation to their alleged offense. Even if a standing order of protection is not ordered, a conviction can be used as evidence in an application for relief from abuse.
Additionally, any act of domestic violence that indicates a child in the defendant’s household may be in harm’s way could prompt an investigation by the Connecticut Department of Children and Families (“DCF”). If DCF investigators find evidence to “substantiate” suspicions of child abuse or neglect, they may petition a family court for further action, which, in extreme scenarios, may include the removal of children from the defendant’s home.
Learn More About Domestic Violence Penalties From a Milford Attorney
A domestic violence allegation alone can have massive short-term and long-term consequences, to say nothing of how significant a criminal conviction could be. You should know, though, that you have support available from a seasoned legal professional who has successfully handled similar cases in the past.
If you want to minimize Milford domestic violence penalties stemming from an arrest or allegation, you should make contacting a qualified domestic violence defense lawyer from our firm one of your top priorities. Call today to learn what Mark Sherman Law can do for you, and read what past clients have said on our Avvo.com profile about working with us by clicking here.