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Common defenses to domestic violence charges

When you are accused of domestic violence, you should know that the penalties you are facing can be severe. At Joseph J. Colarusso, Attorney at Law, we know how Connecticut prosecutes the accused and treats people convicted of such crimes. There are some common defenses you could employ to help preserve your record and your freedom.

According to the Connecticut penal code, abuse can take many forms, including assault, stalking, threatening and sexual assault, each of which could be classified as a felony. Felonies carry with them the potential for lengthy prison sentences as well as large fines and a mark on your permanent record.

To avoid the harsh consequences, you may be able to use one of the following defenses: 

  •        False allegations: In some cases, someone could accuse a partner of abuse out of spite, especially during matters such as divorce or child custody battles.
  •        Consent: Although rare, there are some cases in which people consent to physical acts, such as in certain types of sexual relationships.
  •        Self-defense: Some defendants are able to successfully argue that the act was committed in defense of either themselves or their children.
  •        A lack of proof: Keep in mind that the prosecution has the burden of proof to establish that you committed the act.

Another potential defense is that the alleged victim suffered the injury either on accident or due to another cause. For example, someone who is harmed in a car crash could use the bumps and bruises to try to prove that a partner caused the injury.

These cases can be extremely sensitive and require a strict attention to detail. For more information on this topic, please visit our page on domestic violence charges.

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