Are You Looking for a Domestic Violence Lawyer near Greece, NY?

In most of the country (New York included), domestic violence charges are secondary allegations. Domestic violence occurs whenever an offender commits a crime against a protected class of victim. State law defines domestic violence or abuse as any crime between members of the same household or family. Some specific examples of this protected class include:

• Current or former spouses.
• Anyone related by blood or marriage.
• Two parties who have a child with one another.
• Any two people who are or have been in a relationship, even if they don’t live in the same house.

New York Penal Law also has rules on specific domestic violence crimes including:

• Assault – including actual physical harm.
• Menacing – making threats to a victim.
• Stalking – when one party causes the other to fear for their physical well-being by contacting a victim or their family or tracking their whereabouts.
• Strangulation – when an offender chokes a victim or otherwise prevents them from breathing.

While the New York criminal court system handles most criminal offenses, domestic violence cases are unique. Because these cases tend to affect family members, a victim can bring charges against an alleged offender in either family court or criminal court. This means that domestic violence cases can be either civil matters, criminal offenses, or both.

If someone is accusing you of domestic violence or abuse, it’s important to hire a lawyer. An attorney will be able to assess the facts of your case and determine whether your actions meet the qualifications for a domestic crime. If they don’t, an attorney can petition the court to dismiss your case.