Rhode Island Domestic Violence Lawyer
Domestic Violence Defense
Have you been accused of a Rhode Island Domestic Violence (DV) related crime?
As you may have already discovered, accusations of the commission of Rhode Island domestic violence crimes are taken very seriously by the police, prosecutors, and the courts. In addition to potential jail time and fines, a conviction for a domestic violence related crime (even a "minor" charge) may have serious long-term consequences.
It is understandable that after you have been arrested for a Rhode Island domestic violence charge you likely have feelings of despair, concern, and feel distraught. The good news is there is hope that your charge will be successfully resolved by hiring Domestic Violence Lawyer Michael J. Zarrella.
I will fight your Rhode Island domestic violence case with great vigor and enthusiasm. My goal is to get your Domestic Violance charge dismissed. Please call me so that I can start working on your case today. I have obtained great results for many of my clients with respect to their Rhode Island domestic violence cases. My results have often included dismissals, reductions to a lesser charge, or clients being found not guilty after a trial.
Don't Take a Criminal Charge of Domestic Violence Lightly.
There are a large number of crimes that can be considered a Rhode Island domestic violence if the crime is committed against a person who is one of the following:
- spouse or former spouse;
- adult person related by blood or marriage;
- adult persons who are presently living together or have lived together within the past 3 years;
- people who have a child in common; and/or
- people who are or have been engaged, or in a significant dating relationship within the past year as determined by the court.
When assault and/or violent threats are made against a person who is involved in a domestic relationship, it may be charged as a domestic violence crime. Domestic violence can entail a wide variety of abusive behaviors and does not always include physical violence. Rhode Island domestic violence crimes carry serious penalties with mandatory domestic violence counseling as well as a mandatory jail sentence for those people convicted of a second or third domestic violence offense. In addition, a domestic violence conviction could affect a person's employment, housing and ablity to carry and/or purchase firearms.
In Rhode Island, the court system tends to err on the side of caution in domestic violence cases. Judges often issue a No Contact Order barring the accused from contact with the alleged victim. As a result, the accused may not be able to return home immediately after an arrest.
If you have been charged with a domestic violence crime in Rhode Island and need a Rhode Island domestic violence lawyer, call Domestic Violence Attorney, Michael J. Zarrella immediately.
Crimes most frequently associated with domestic violence in Rhode Island.
- Assault
- Disorderly Conduct
- Felony assault
- Sexual assault
- Harassment
- Refusal to relinquish a telephone
- Burglary and Unlawful Entry
- Breaking and Entering
- Stalking
- Trespassing
- Vandalism
- Violations of a Restraining Order
- Violations of a Protective Order (RONCO)
- Violations of a No Contact Order
Aggressive Defense against Domestic Violence Charges
If you have been charged with domestic violence in Rhode Island, it is in your best interests to call Attorney Michael J. Zarrella as soon as possible.
Being found guilty of a domestic violence charge in Rhode Island has serious penalties and consequences. You need an experienced domestic violence lawyer to help you avoid a domestic violence conviction and it's long-term repercussions. You need experienced representation from a domestic violence lawyer or otherwise you may be setting yourself up for a jail sentence in the future.
It is critical to hire a domestic violence attorney, such as Michael J. Zarrella who has knowledge of how the judicial system works. An experienced attorney can work toward a dismissal of the charges. If a dismissal can not be obtained, then at the very least a reduction of the charges to minimize the personal and legal consequences should be obtained. Many times a reduction of charges may lead to a sentence that will not trigger the mandatory increases in penalties if the person is arrested again for a second domestic violence charge.
First time offenders may not view a domestic criminal charge as very significant, but they are wrong. The decisions made at this stage can put a person on the road to self-destruction. It is vitally important not to receive a domestic violence conviction on your first offense. If you do receive a conviction on your first offense, then a second conviction of a domestic violence charge will result in mandatory jail time and a third domestic violence charge will be classified as a felony with a mandatory prison sentence of 1 year to serve. That is why it is so important to have proper legal representation and to not get convicted on your first offense.
There are many ways to get domestic charges dismissed and they often are dismissed, but you need a domestic violence lawyer who has the legal knowledge and experience and is willing to fight for you.
Too many times people go to court and take a bad deal not thinking or knowing the effect it may have on them in the future. I believe there are more innocent people in jail for domestic violence charges than for any other charge. People often have vindictive or jealous partners that use the domestic violence laws to their advantage in divorce cases, child custody cases or for some other vengeful purpose.
If you have been charged with domestic violence, call Domestic Violence Attorney Michael J. Zarrella to insure that your rights are protected.
Rhode Island Domestic Violence Penalties
Any conviction or plea of nolo contendre to a charge of domestic violence in Rhode Island has a mandatory condition of attendance at a batterer's intervention program.
A second (2nd) offense domestic violence conviction carries with it a minimum of 10 days in jail, and a maximum of up to 1 year.
A third (3rd) offense domestic violence conviction is a felony and carries with it a minimum of 1-10 years in prison.
Although these Rhode Island domestic violence penalties are mandatory there are many ways around them. First and foremost, there are certian dispositions that are not considered a conviction and will not trigger the mandatory penalties for future arrests. An experienced domestic violence attorney will guide you though the potholes associated with domestic violence charges and often get your charges dismissed or reduced.
Protect yourself today from the stigma of a domestic violance conviction by calling Domestic Violence Attorney Michael J. Zarrella.