Felony Domestic Assault Charges Brought Against the Husband of Local Town Council Member

Last week the husband of a local Town Council member was charged with felony domestic assault for allegedly assaulting his wife with a 12 gauge shotgun, as reported by the Providence Journal.  This story, and others like it, serve as a constant reminder that anyone from any walk of life or status can be charged with crimes of domestic violence.  Based on the initial reports of the incident, the Defendant's attorney did an excellent job achieving the Defendant's release on $50,000 bail in front of Chief Judge Jeanne LaFazia.  These types of charges, felony domestic assault cases specifically, can take 4 to 8 months to be brought forward into the Superior Court so it is vital that the Defendant be released on bail awaiting that future court date otherwise he would be held at the ACI until then.

How Serious Are Felony Domestic Assault Charges?

Felony domestic assault charges, like the ones brought in the story above, are extremely serious and when a weapon is involved the penalties become much more severe.  Every case gets decided by its own unique facts and circumstances, but cases involving felony domestic assault charges involving a firearm can easily lead to a jail sentence if convicted.  In addition to the jail sentence, any defendant would face the stigma of being convicted of not just a felony charge, but a felony domestic charge.  These charges are extremely difficult to have removed from a criminal record, if they are ever eligible.  Moreover, a conviction for a felony domestic assault charge could result in a no contact order between the parties for years, possibly more than a decade.

How do I fight my Felony Domestic Assault Charge?

As a Rhode Island Domestic Violence Defense Lawyer, I can say that the first step to fighting your domestic violence charge is to make sure that you do not get arrested again.  All too often, a client will come to me for assistance in fighting a domestic assault or domestic violence charge and the case is weak and we put a plan in place to fight and beat the charge only to have the plant thrown out the window by a new arrest.  The best domestic assault defense strategies are worthless if we cannot keep you from picking up a new charge and violating your bail.

When you sit down for your initial consultation, we will review the facts of the case with you and the relationship between you and the alleged victim.  At this point, we can begin to outline a possible domestic violence defense strategy to put in place to defeat the charges brought against you.  So, in addition to not getting arrested again, the very next thing you should do is call us to schedule an initial consultation.

The Law Offices of Matthew T. Marin, Esquire, Inc. 

If you or a loved one has been charged with a felony domestic assault charge or any other criminal offense in Rhode Island, you need to immediately call Attorney Matthew Marin for skilled and aggressive domestic violence defense representation.  We will begin working immediately to ensure that your rights are protected and that you can put the best defense possible forward.  Attorney Marin is available 24/7 to discuss your case and to schedule a no fee, confidential consultation at one of our convenient office locations.  Contact us today by phone at 401-228-8271 or email at mm@matthewtmarin.com, or fill out the contact form on our Website.

RHODE ISLAND DOMESTIC VIOLENCE DEFENSE ATTORNEY 

MATTHEW MARIN

PHONE: 401-228-8271 

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Domestic Strangulation Charges in Rhode Island

In June of 2012, Governor Lincoln Chafee signed into law the so-called "Domestic Anti-Strangulation" bill calling for significant enhanced penalties for those convicted of domestic assault by strangulation.  The bill was championed by domestic violence advocates and heralded as one step closer to ending domestic violence in Rhode Island.  In the six years prior to the passage of the law in Rhode Island, over 30 other states had adopted similar domestic assault by strangulation bills.  Domestic assault by strangulation is one of the most serious criminal offenses that one can be charged with in the State of Rhode Island.  It is vital that you seek the representation of a skilled and experienced Rhode Island Domestic Violence Lawyer if you have been charged with domestic assault by strangulation.  Attorney Matthew Marin is available to speak with you 24/7 at our office phone 401-228-8271 or email mm@matthewtmarin.com.

What are Domestic Strangulation Charges in Rhode Island?

Domestic assault by strangulation refers to an assault and battery committed on a household or family member by knowingly and intentionally impeding normal breathing or or circulation of the blood by applying pressure on the throat or neck or by blocking the nose or mouth of another person, with the intent to cause that person harm. The Rhode Island statute governing domestic strangulation charges, R.I.G.L. Section 11-5-2.3, can be found here: http://webserver.rilin.state.ri.us/Statutes/TITLE11/11-5/11-5-2.3.HTM

What are the penalties for Domestic Strangulation Charges in Rhode Island?

The penalties for domestic assault by strangulation in Rhode Island are extremely severe.  Prior to the passage of the Anti-Strangulation bill, an individual alleged to have assaulted a family or household member in the manner prohibited by the statute would typically face a misdemeanor simple domestic assault and battery charge which carries up to one year in jail, but where jail is highly unlikely for first time offenders. That same allegation now subjects the offender to UP TO 10 YEARS IN JAIL and a FELONY CRIMINAL CONVICTION.  Facing a possible 10 year jail sentence and a felony criminal conviction, these serious charges require a serious criminal defense strategy.

Can I fight my Rhode Island Domestic Assault by Strangulation Charges?

Being charged with domestic strangulation does not mean that you will be convicted and that you will go to jail.  At the Law Offices of Matthew T. Marin, Esquire, Inc., we represent individuals charged with all types of criminal and domestic violence charges including domestic assault by strangulation.  Many of the defenses available to us in other criminal and domestic violence charges can be raised in the domestic strangulation case including self-defense, attacking the credibility of the complaining witness, and attacking poor and inept police work.  However, given the serious nature of the charges anyone facing these charges should immediately contact an experienced and aggressive Rhode Island Domestic Violence Lawyer to begin formulating a domestic violence defense strategy.

RHODE ISLAND DOMESTIC VIOLENCE DEFENSE ATTORNEY 

MATTHEW MARIN

PHONE: 401-228-8271 

CONNECT WITH US ON:

       

MA Police Officer Arraigned on Domestic Violence Charges

On Friday, an Ipswich police officer was arraigned on domestic violence charges.  Specifically, he was charged with four counts assault and battery, malicious destruction of property, and intimidation of a witness.  Domestic violence charges can be brought against anyone.  If you find yourself facing allegations of domestic violence or domestic assault, contact an experienced domestic violence defense attorney immediately.  Do not speak to the police or give statements.  With the advice and guidance of an experienced domestic assault defense attorney, you can put yourself in position to achieve your best results under the circumstances.

Attorney Matthew Marin is an experienced Rhode Island Domestic Violence Lawyer who assists those charged with domestic violence offenses throughout Rhode Island.  With offices conveniently located in downtown Providence and downtown Newport, contact us today for a confidential consultation.  We are available 24/7 at 401-228-8271 or mm@matthewtmarin.com.  For more information on Rhode Island Domestic Violence Laws and defenses visit our website and read our testimonials from former clients.

Read more via the Boston Globe:  www.bostonglobe.com/metro/2014/04/25/ipswich-police-officer-pleads-not-guilty-domestic-violence-charges-essex-prosecutors-say/7u1FnwrLER25CXf5kTgqOO/story.html

 
RHODE ISLAND DOMESTIC VIOLENCE DEFENSE ATTORNEY 

MATTHEW MARIN

PHONE: 401-228-8271 

CONNECT WITH US ON:

       

Rhode Island Domestic Violence Defense Infographic

#rhodeislanddomesticviolencelawyer
#ridomesticviolencelaw
https://www.matthewtmarin.com/domestic-violence-defense-lawyer
https://www.rhodeislanddomesticviolencelawyer.com

Proposed Bill Would Ban Guns from Domestic Violence Convicts

A bill pending in the Rhode Island Legislature would ban anyone convicted of a crime of domestic violence from buying a gun.  The bill, if passed, would apply anyone convicted of domestic violence charges, including misdemeanor domestic violence charges.  Under Rhode Island law, those charges include (1) domestic assault and battery, (2) domestic vandalism, (3) domestic disorderly conduct, (4) domestic trespassing, (5) domestic stalking, and (6) domestic violation of a restraining order or no contact order.  To read more about the bill and it's introduction, visit Boston.com.

While the bill failed to pass in 2013, it has supporters in 2014.  Anyone who has a Rhode Island Domestic Violence case pending should pay particular attention to this legislation.  In most cases, this type of legislation would apply retro-actively to anyone previously convicted of a misdemeanor crime of domestic violence.  Therefore, to protect your ability to purchase a firearm in the future you should take every step possible today to avoid a conviction for a Rhode Island Domestic Violence Charge.

Your first step should be to contact The Law Offices of Matthew T. Marin, Esquire, Inc. for a confidential, no fee consultation.  We are available 24/7 at our offices via phone (401-228-8271) or email (mm@matthewtmarin.com).  Our lawyers have significant experience handling Rhode Island Domestic Violence cases and can assist you in preparing your best defense.  One former client had this to say about Attorney Matthew Marin:

"Matt's performance was top-notch. He was personable, respectful and knowledgable. 

I had been framed ( literally ) in a domestic case, and Matt guided me through the 

process. I had my doubts, but he was reassuring. He cut through the nonsense, 

so to speak. I would easily recommend him to anyone."

To read more about what former client's are saying about Attorney Matthew Marin, visit our Google Business Page. To read more about individual Rhode Island Domestic Violence crimes, visit the following links:

• Rhode Island Domestic Violence Charges
• Rhode Island Domestic Assault Charges
• Rhode Island Domestic Vandalism Charges
• Rhode Island Domestic Disorderly Conduct Charges
• Rhode Island Domestic Stalking Charges
• Rhode Island Domestic Violation of a No Contact Order

RHODE ISLAND CRIMINAL DEFENSE ATTORNEY 

MATTHEW MARIN

PHONE: 401-228-8271 

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