Domestic Violence Lawyers in Pittsburgh

If you’ve been accused of domestic violence lawyer Sean Logue and the Logue Law Group are here to defend you.

Facing domestic violence charges is incredibly stressful and often creates feelings of anger and anxiety among family members or friends. Sean Logue understands the immense pressure you are under. He will strive to ease that stress by providing strong legal representation in court.

Crimes of Domestic Violence

When police respond to domestic violence calls, an arrest is almost always made. It doesn’t matter if there’s little to no evidence, or if the alleged victim doesn’t want to press charges; the accused person is typically arrested and must then endure court hearings and other difficult situations.

Today, individuals accused of domestic violence face more severe consequences than in the past. This shift is driven by a strong desire to protect victims, but it often results in long-term, life-altering consequences for the person accused. A skilled Pittsburgh DUI lawyer can help navigate these complexities.

The term “domestic violence” covers a wide range of actions and behaviors that occur between people who live together or are otherwise considered family. This definition includes sexual assaults, verbal abuse, and physical attacks. In some cases, an arrest is made for a single, isolated incident. In other situations, the accused person may have a history of such behavior.

Domestic Violence Defined in Pennsylvania

In Pennsylvania, three specific actions can lead to an arrest and a domestic violence charge:

• Recklessly causing physical harm to a member of your family or household.
• Knowingly causing or attempting to cause harm to a household or family member.
• Making a family or household member believe you are about to cause them physical harm through the threat of force.

It is crucial to understand that you can be arrested for domestic violence in Pennsylvania even if you never physically touched the alleged victim. Legal guidance from a Pittsburgh criminal lawyer is essential in these cases.

Types of Domestic Violence

Domestic violence charges can take several forms. Some of the most frequently seen charges in Allegheny County and throughout Pennsylvania include:

• Child abuse or neglect
• Domestic assault/battery
• Rape
• Sexual battery
• Menacing by stalking
• Violating a protection order

Defenses for Domestic Violence

If you’ve been charged with domestic violence, simply telling your side of the story is often not enough to get the charges dropped. The alleged perpetrator’s version of events frequently differs from the alleged victim’s account.

An experienced Pittsburgh criminal lawyer from the Logue Law Group will have several potential defenses available and may be able to persuade the court to reduce or dismiss the charges against you. Below are some of the most common defenses used in domestic violence cases, though this list is not exhaustive.

• False Allegations: It is not uncommon for a person going through a divorce or breakup to falsely accuse their partner to gain an advantage in a civil case, such as divorce, child support, or child custody disputes.
• Self-Defense: Individuals have the right to defend themselves, even in domestic situations. Courts are often more inclined to dismiss cases where the alleged violence was a response to actions initiated by the alleged victim.
• Lack of Evidence: If there is no concrete proof that domestic violence occurred, such as injuries or other physical evidence, it becomes very difficult for the prosecutor to secure a conviction against the accused.
• Accidental Injury: This defense applies when an alleged victim’s injuries were caused by their own negligence or by other factors completely unrelated to the actions of the accused person. A knowledgeable Pittsburgh DUI lawyer can effectively argue this point.
• Defense of Others: This occurs when the accused person did cause injury to a family member, but did so to protect another person from harm.

Penalties for Domestic Violence

When a judge determines a sentence for a domestic violence conviction in Pennsylvania, several factors are considered. These include the severity of the injuries, the victim’s status (e.g., age, relationship to the offender), the offender’s prior criminal record, and the specific underlying charge.

Domestic violence convictions can range from minor misdemeanors to first-degree felonies. All convictions involve fines, starting at $150 and potentially reaching as high as $20,000. With the exception of minor misdemeanors, all convictions also include potential jail time, which can range from 30 days up to 11 years.

Why at Logue Law Group?

When you’re facing an accusation of domestic violence you need a Pittsburgh criminal lawyer on your side. Schedule your free consultation with the Logue Law Group. Call us at 412-387-6901 today.