Domestic Violence
When Idaho police dispatch answers a 911 call for a domestic disturbance, whether the call came from your house or a neighbor’s, the Idaho authorities usually arrest someone. Amazingly, this has proven true even in cases where the disagreement has been resolved before the police arrive and even in cases where the “dispute” was nothing more than a verbal argument with no physical altercation.
In Boise, the Boise City Police will almost always arrest someone once a call is made. A false charge of domestic violence is often used as a tool in a highly contested divorce or child custody proceedings. Recently Idaho has begun charging more and more people with felony domestic violence and in many cases, “attempted strangulation” with little or no actual evidence. We have seen this trend in Boise, Nampa and Caldwell and in smaller communities like McCall and Cascade. Our firm’s Boise attorney, Jared B. Martens, provides an aggressive defense to clients charged with domestic violence, including domestic battery, domestic assault and attempted strangulation.
Why Fight An Idaho Domestic Violence Charge?
If you were served with a restraining order or were arrested for domestic assault in Idaho, it is extremely important to speak to a Boise lawyer and take measures to protect your rights. A restraining order may deny you access to your home and your children. A conviction for domestic assault or violation of a no-contact order, in addition to destroying your family, will result in serious problems down the road. Prospective employers may turn down your job applications, you may find it difficult to rent an apartment, your relationship with your children may be destroyed and you will not be able to get a hunting license or purchase a firearm. An Idaho felony domestic violence conviction is likely to result in jail, fines, domestic violence and anger management classes that seem to never end and supervised probation.
What Defense Is There For A DV Charge?
Through negotiations with the Idaho district attorney’s office, a Boise criminal defense attorney may be able to get your case dismissed or the charges reduced to disturbing the peace. Clients of Martens Law Office, P.C., can count on our lawyer to continue pushing for dismissal right up to the courthouse steps. Witnesses may change their stories under skilled questioning. Our firm is proactive in getting clients into classes before a hearing or trial, an action that demonstrates to the Idaho prosecutor and the Idaho court that the client is undergoing rehabilitation voluntarily.
Boise Idaho Specific Definitions And Penalties
The definitions and penalties for a domestic violence charge are found in Idaho Code §18-918. Penalties range from a maximum sentence of a $ 1,000 fine and six months in county jail for a first offense up to a $10,000 fine and 10 years in the Idaho State Prison for a third offense within 15 years when the charge is enhanced by a child being present during the domestic assault or battery.
Free Consultation – Contact A Boise, Idaho Domestic Violence Attorney
At Martens Law Office, P.C., we have evening appointments available, offer free initial consultations, and accept credit cards. If you would like to speak with our Boise domestic violence lawyer, please contact our firm and arrange a free consultation. Our lawyer and staff are committed to providing responsive and attentive client service. Call us at 208-435-1132.