Milford Spousal Abuse Lawyer
Spousal abuse falls under the umbrella of family violence in Connecticut. As any experienced defense attorney could tell you, understanding how to handle spousal abuse allegations in a proactive way generally begins with understanding how the Connecticut penal code approaches “family violence” in general. With that in mind, here are the basic aspects of spousal abuse offenses you should be aware of, all of which a seasoned Milford spousal abuse lawyer can go into more detail about during a confidential consultation.
What Offenses Can Be Classified as “Spousal Abuse?”
Connecticut General Statutes (“C.G.S.”) § 46b-38a defines “family violence” as any unlawful act resulting in a family or household member of the defendant experiencing bodily injury, physical assault, or fear of imminent harm through actual or threatened violent conduct. This means that in addition to overtly violent acts like the various degrees of Assault defined under C.G.S. §§53a-59 through 53a-61a, “spousal abuse” can also take the form of offenses like:
- Threatening, under C.G.S. §§53a61-aa or 53a-62
- Reckless Endangerment, under C.G.S. §§53a-63 or 53a-64
- Strangulation or Suffocation, under C.G.S. §§53a-64aa through 53a-64cc
- Sexual Assault, under C.G.S. §53a-70 through 53a-73a
- Kidnapping, False Imprisonment, or Custodial Interference in certain situations, under C.G.S. §§53a-94 through 53a-98
- Simple or Criminal Trespass, under C.G.S. §§53a-107 through 53a-110a
- Breach of the Peace in the Second Degree, under C.G.S. §53a-181
- Stalking, under C.G.S. §§53a-181c through 53a-181f
- Disorderly Conduct, under C.G.S. §53a-182
- Harassment, under C.G.S. §§53a-182b or 53a-183
Additionally, if a protective order is already in place against you, any actual or threatened violence against a protected party in violation of that order could be categorized as “family violence” and is a felony offense. A Milford spousal abuse attorney can help handle criminal proceedings involving any of these offenses.
Understanding Protective Orders in Spousal Abuse Cases
During the initial arraignment for an offense constituting spousal abuse, it is not uncommon for judges to issue protective orders in the interest of preventing further harm to the alleged target(s) of the defendant’s violent conduct. The least severe variant of such an order is a “limited” or “partial” protective order, which simply forbids the defendant from engaging in any further violence towards or harassment of the protected parties.
In more serious situations, the court may issue a “residential stay-away” order, which prohibits the defendant from being in close physical proximity to the protected parties, or even a “full no-contact” order, which prohibits all forms of contact between the involved parties, even if a protected party initiates it. In addition to building a defense against the underlying criminal allegation, a qualified lawyer can also help negotiate for preferable terms in such an order—or against the order being issued in the first place—during a spousal abuse case in Milford.
Get Help From a Milford Spousal Abuse Attorney
Abuse of a current or former spouse is taken very seriously by law enforcement and Connecticut’s criminal court system. If you have been accused of this type of conduct, you should not hesitate to seek representation from an experienced defense attorney who knows exactly how to handle situations like yours in proactive and effective ways.
A private meeting with a Milford spousal abuse lawyer from Mark Sherman Law could give you answers to important questions and confidence about the next steps to take toward protecting your rights. Call today to get started, and see what past clients have said about us by clicking here and reading the 300+ verified reviews on our Avvo.com profile.