DOMESTIC ABUSE

Legal Representation for Domestic Abuse

If you have been accused of domestic abuse or violence, Whitham Law Group’s domestic abuse attorney can provide the legal defense you need to protect your future. Things like being accused of committing domestic violence can result in arrest and defamation of character. That is why it is important to have a legal team to defend you against any accusations that may permanently alter your day-to-day life.

Types of Domestic Abuse

It is important to understand that there are several forms of domestic violence. In most cases, people associate domestic violence with physical harm. However, there is more to domestic violence than physical abuse. To build your domestic violence defense case, we will first need to determine which form of domestic violence you are being accused of and the extremity of it.

Emotional Abuse

Emotional abuse is the destruction of someone’s self-worth. This includes:

• Constant Insults
• Humiliation
• Persistent Criticism

Financial Abuse

One of the least obvious forms of abuse, financial abuse, is when one spouse prevents the other from obtaining independence, making them reliant on the “breadwinner” of the home. This can be seen as the victim being in a controlling environment. This includes:

• The victim is completely dependent on their partner for income
• The partner did not allow the victim to have a job
• The partner did not allow the victim to have an education
• Partner withheld daily necessities from the victim (i.e., food, clothing, money, etc.)

Physical Abuse

The most recognized form of domestic violence, physical abuse, involves using force against a victim, causing bodily harm. This includes:

• Choking
• Forced Drug Use
• Kicking
• Punching
• Shooting
• Slapping
• Stabbing

Psychological Abuse

Similar to emotional abuse, psychological abuse is persistent mental abuse towards one partner. The difference between the two is psychological abuse can be categorized in more intimidating or threatening circumstances. This includes:

• Threatening to commit physical harm
• Constant Insulting to partner
• Ignoring or excluding partner from meaningful events/activities
• Preventing partner from speaking to others
• Preventing partner from leaving home
• Threatening with emotional blackmail

Sexual Abuse

Even when in a relationship with your partner, sexual abuse is still possible. Other factors involving unwanted actions related to sex or reproduction are also considered sexual abuse. This includes things like:

• Sexual Assault
• Rape
• Touching / Molesting
• Coerced into not using contraception (otherwise known as reproductive coercion)
• Coerced into having an abortion (otherwise known as reproductive coercion)

Domestic Abuse Attorney

The state of Colorado is considered a mandatory arrest state when it comes to domestic violence. If an officer determines probable cause that a crime or offense took place, the officer has the right, without delay, to arrest the accused. When an individual is arrested for domestic violence, a mandatory restraining order is issued, meaning contact with the accuser or victim is prohibited. Doing so will result in additional criminal charges.

If you have been accused of domestic violence and police have been called, it is important to invoke your right to remain silent, as anything you say can and will be used against you in a court of law.