Domestic Violence Lawyer

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Domestic violence is a serious charge in the state of Illinois, but that doesn’t mean that there is no defense available should you find yourself accused of a domestic violence offense. You need an experienced attorney who is both willing and able to devote their time and resources to upholding your rights and ensuring that you receive fair treatment. If you or a loved one are facing domestic violence charges in Chicago, it is time to seek out professional guidance. People tend to wonder if attorneys can really help change the outcome of a case, and the answer is that yes, they can.

 

The Law Firm of Dan Florey is proud to offer his over 20 years of experience in domestic violence law. What exactly does that mean? Well, it means that Daniel J. Florey has wealth of experience and knowledge at his disposal, and he will levy every bit of that to help ensure that you receive the best possible outcome for your specific case. Your rights are important, and Daniel J. Florey is happy to spend his time ensuring that they are not violated in any way when it comes to your case.

 

Domestic Violence Attorney

 

The Illinois Domestic Violence Act of 1986 grants law enforcement the discretion and tools needed to help punish alleged abusers and protect potential victims. It is a piece of legislation that recognizes that domestic violence is a serious crime and seeks to ensure that offenders are punished in ways that help keep their victims safe. It also sees domestic violence as a crime against the individual and the state, which can result in the acquisition of other criminal charges.

 

For all of the reasons above, prosecutors and law enforcement officers seek to aggressively follow any allegations of domestic abuse or violence. And it’s important to understand that physical injury or harm to the victim is not necessary to be convicted. It should be noted that criminal domestic violence cases do tend to emphasize physical harm while civil cases tend to emphasize mental and/or emotional harm instead. These are not absolute rules, of course, and it is entirely possible that for a civil or criminal case to involve both physical as well as mental or emotional harm.

 

The state of Illinois has given prosecutors and law enforcement officers quite a bit of latitude when it comes to the determination of what qualifies as domestic violence and when domestic violence has occurred.

 

This can include any of the following:

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• Harassment

• Physical Abuse

• The Intimidation of Dependents

• Hitting

• Biting

• Slapping

• Willful Deprivation or Interference with Personal Liberties

• Hair Pulling

• Excessive Screaming or Yelling

• Thrown Projectiles or Objects

• Brandishing Weapons

 

The above is not an exhaustive list, but rather a guideline of sorts to help you determine the scope of the actions and behaviors from which domestic violence charges can stem.

 

Domestic Violence Penalties

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As previously explained, there is a wide variety of behaviors that can lead to domestic abuse or violence charges. These charges can also lead to quite a few different penalties, and the exact punishment in question depends largely upon the specifics of your case. Your existing criminal record can also impact your case and help determine exactly how the charges against you are classified by the state.

 

Typically, domestic violence is a Class A Misdemeanor (assuming that there are no aggravating factors that apply). If convicted, you could end up spending as long as a year in jail in addition fines of as much as $2,500. Aggravating factors could change the classification of your charges up to a Class 4 Felony.

 

Some of these factors include:

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• Sexual Assault

• Involving a Child

• Using a Firearm

 

Having a prior conviction for domestic battery can also result in domestic violence charges being charged as felony rather than a misdemeanor. Should you be convicted of felony charges, you could face up to three years in prison (not jail) and fines of as much as $25,000.

 

If you are facing domestic violence charges, you need the help of an experienced attorney as quickly as possible.

 

Contact an experienced domestic violence attorney today for help!

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If you are facing charges, whether they are for misdemeanor or felony domestic violence charges, you need a skilled attorney to help represent you. The Law Firm of Dan Florey can help! Contact him today for a free consultation.