Domestic violence affects many Kentucky families every year. It can disrupt lives in almost unimaginable ways, leaving homes fractured and those involved seeking help. Domestic abuse victims are often women, but can also include men, children and elderly family members.
Being involved in a domestic violence case can have far-reaching implications that can last for the rest of a person’s life. For those who have been accused of domestic violence, or suspect that they might be accused in the future, it is of the utmost importance to have a skilled domestic violence defense attorney.
Domestic Abuse Statistics
- Between July 1 of 2013 and June 30 of 2014, Kentucky programs sheltered over 3,000 victims of domestic abuse and their children.
- On any given day in 2014, one in ten victims of domestic abuse in Kentucky were turned away by services because of insufficient resources.
- A third of women and a quarter of men have experienced violence from a partner.
- Having a gun in the home during a domestic dispute can raise the likelihood of a homicide by five times.
Domestic Abuse Cases in Kentucky
To give you an idea of how prevalent these cases are in our state, here are a few examples by county of domestic violence cases disposed (meaning taken to trial, resolved by plea deal or dismissed) in district courts between 2006 and 2010:
- Bell County: 1,186 domestic violence cases
- Daviess County: 2,304 domestic violence cases
- Harlan County: 1,357 domestic violence cases
- Letcher County: 1,071 domestic violence cases
- Montgomery County: 1,378 domestic violence cases
- Perry County: 1,200 domestic violence cases.
The Many Forms of Domestic Abuse
- Physical Violence/Assault – This includes causing harm to another person using deadly weapons or dangerous instruments.
- Threats of Violence or Abuse – Threats and intimidation are often considered to be harassment under Kentucky law.
- Verbal/Emotional Abuse – Verbal abuse includes insults, threats, ignoring or bullying another person.
- Economic Abuse – Economic abuse includes inhibiting or diminishing another person’s ability to support himself or herself.
- Sexual Abuse – This can include rape, molestation or other forms of sexual assault.
- Spousal Assault – Violence against a spouse is one of the most common forms of domestic abuse.
- Endangerment – Endangerment includes placing another person or persons in harm’s way, intentionally or unintentionally.
- Child Abuse/Neglect – Child abuse is another common form of domestic abuse. It can include physical violence, neglect and verbal and emotional abuse.
- Elder Abuse – This can include assault, neglect, verbal and economic abuse.
Domestic violence is usually charged under certain provisions, including assaults (most common), felony assaults, wanton endangerment, rape, manslaughter, murder, menacing or terroristic threatening. In some cases, people are falsely accused of domestic violence. False accusations can have major implications for the accused, affecting their custody of children and restricting their civil rights.
Restraining Order Violations
Restraining orders include emergency protective orders, long-term domestic violence orders, temporary restraining orders (emergency protective orders) and foreign protective orders. If authorities have probable cause that you have violated a restraining order, you can be arrested immediately.
In domestic violence cases, all parties involved have rights, including the accused.
An experienced domestic violence defense attorney will look at a case from every conceivable angle to determine the best defense. He or she will also consider the character of the accuser, any relevant alibis, self-defense and intent of the accused, and might argue that the case was an isolated event and not part of a pattern, among many other factors.
If you are accused of domestic violence, Dan Carman and Attorneys will make sure that your rights are protected. Whether you are facing domestic violence charges, suspect that you might be charged in the future or have already been found guilty, our Kentucky domestic violence defense attorneys can help you. Attorney Dan Carman has served in the United States Marine Corps as defense counsel, prosecutor, legal assistance attorney, and in-house counsel for an infantry battalion. Contact us today to learn more about how we can help you.
