What Types of Defenses Are Common in Domestic Violence Cases?

Domestic violence laws in Columbus, Ohio, provide for severe legal penalties upon conviction, which may include time in jail or prison. After an accusation or arrest for domestic violence, it’s imperative to contact an attorney immediately. The sooner you contact a domestic violence attorney, the sooner he or she can get to work building effective legal strategies for your defense.

Self-Defense

One common defense strategy against domestic violence charges is that the defendant was acting in self-defense. In these cases, the lawyer can use evidence that shows that the other party intentionally inflicted physical harm and that the defendant exercised reasonable force to protect him- or herself. In self-defense situations, reasonable force is necessary. For example, if Mary slaps John, it is not considered reasonable force for John to shoot Mary. However, it might be considered reasonable force for John to push Mary back away from him.

False Allegations

Not all domestic violence allegations arise from actual incidents. In many cases, the accuser brings false allegations against the defendant. This is often done for personal revenge or to gain some sort of advantage, such as when the accuser is trying to deny the defendant the right to child custody or visitation. If you’ve been accused of domestic violence, it’s important to be fully honest with your attorney about the circumstances, such as whether your accuser might have made deliberately false accusations. Your attorney can review the police reports and witness statements to look for inconsistencies in the accuser’s allegations.

Burden of Proof