North Royalton Domestic Violence

With a population of around 30,000 residents, North Royalton is a popular location for people wishing to start families or raising young families. Data show that nearly 60 percent of residents in the area are currently married. Located near Cleveland, which provides recreational and employment opportunities, North Royalton can be a more affordable location to reside. There are also several educational institutions located in the area, including Cleveland State University and Case Western. With many families residing there, domestic violence matters are not uncommon. If you are involved in a criminal case regarding a domestic relationship, it is essential that you speak to a qualified North Royalton domestic violence lawyer as soon as possible to ensure that your rights are protected. It may seem appealing to speak to the authorities to clear your name, but you could end up waiving your rights and further implicating yourself in the situation. At the Law Office of A. Dale Naticchia, we can assist North Royalton residents with understanding their rights in a domestic violence investigation, and we are ready to fight for you.

The first step in defending yourself against a domestic violence charge is to understand Ohio's domestic violence laws. One key aspect involves the types of relationships that invoke domestic violence charges. If you reside with an individual such as a spouse, dating partner, blood relative, or relative by marriage, and you are involved in a dispute with the individual that resulted in violence, threats of violence, or emotional abuse, the situation is classified as a domestic violence crime. These laws also extend to anyone with whom you had a prior cohabitating relationship, dating relationship, or familial relationship. This means that you can find yourself involved in a domestic violence matter even if you no longer reside with the other party. Children are also protected under domestic violence laws, as are people who have been only in casual relationships, following a recent change in the law.

As a domestic violence attorney in North Royalton can explain, Ohio law encompasses a broad range of acts that can support domestic violence charges. Physical acts or threats of physical acts like hitting, kicking, punching, pushing, tearing clothing, and pointing weapons at the other party are all considered domestic violence. The law also encompasses mental and emotional abuse, which can be more difficult to identify. The penalties that you may face for a domestic violence conviction depend on whether you engaged in actual physical abuse or whether you threatened physical abuse. This can be a significant distinction in many situations.

Many individuals facing a domestic violence charge wrongly assume that their situation is hopeless and that they must accept the consequences even if they are wrongly accused. This is not true. One of the most common defenses that a North Royalton domestic violence attorney may raise is that the other party is making a false report. The other party may be engaged in this false reporting to harass or seek vengeance against you. There are penalties for making false crime reports, so the other individual could find himself or herself facing criminal charges if you are able to prove that the allegations are false. Another common defense is proving that you acted in self-defense and that the other party caused you to resort to violence or threats of violence. Lack of intent is another defense, which involves showing that you did not intend to cause fear of harm or actual harm to the victim and that the situation was an accident or unintended outcome. To explore other possible defenses that may apply in your claim, contact us as soon as possible.

If you are facing a domestic violence charge, there is no need to navigate the legal system alone. In fact, doing so could result in your losing key legal rights or making the situation worse. We have seen how devastating a domestic violence charge can be for a defendant's personal and professional life, and we will fight zealously to ensure that you are treated fairly throughout the process. To schedule a free consultation to discuss a domestic violence or assault charge in the North Royalton area, call us now at 216-520-5297 or contact us online.