Shreveport Domestic Abuse Attorneys

Domestic Abuse & Violence Charges in Louisiana

Domestic abuse, also known as domestic violence, is a serious crime in Louisiana. Those convicted of domestic abuse face harsh penalties, including jail or prison time, steep fines, and loss of personal rights and freedoms.

If you have been accused of or charged with domestic abuse, violence, assault, battery, or a related offense, you need an experienced criminal defense attorney who can fight for you. Founded in 1975, The Hall Law Firm offers aggressive legal representation to individuals facing all types of criminal accusations. We know that these cases require a nuanced, sensitive approach, which is why our Shreveport domestic abuse defense attorneys offer a high level of personal attention to each and every client. As your legal team, we will be there to address your concerns, protect your rights, and guide you through every stage of the legal system.

The state of Louisiana defines domestic abuse as “the intentional use of force or violence committed by one household member or family member upon the person of another household member or family member.” Essentially, domestic abuse involves the assault and/or battery of one individual by a member of their family and/or household.

By law, “family members” are defined as any of the following individuals:

• Spouses
• Former spouses
• Parents
• Children
• Stepparents
• Stepchildren
• Foster parents
• Foster children
• Any ascendant or descendant

A “household member” refers to anyone who shares the same home, including the family members listed above, as well as boyfriends, girlfriends, domestic partners, ex-partners, siblings, relatives, friends, and roommates, among others. It also includes people who used to share a residence with the alleged victim, as well as anyone who has or previously had an intimate (including sexual) relationship with the alleged victim.

An individual can be charged with domestic abuse for any intentional use of force or violence meant to cause serious bodily injury or harm, such as strangulation, choking, burning, hitting, etc. If a weapon was allegedly used, penalties will be enhanced with a conviction.

As in other criminal cases, the penalties for domestic abuse depend on various factors, including the alleged offender’s criminal history, their prior convictions (if any), whether a weapon was involved, and whether the crime is charged as a misdemeanor or felony, among others.

That being said, all domestic abuse convictions carry significant penalties that could seriously affect your freedom, your rights, and your future.

Some of the penalties for a first-offense domestic abuse conviction in Louisiana include:

• 30 days to 6 months imprisonment
• At least 48 hours served without parole, probation, or the suspension of the sentence
• Fines ranging from $300 to $1,000

For a second offense, imprisonment increases to 60 days up to 1 year, 14 days of which must be served without parole, probation, or the suspension of the sentence, and fines are increased to at least $750 up to $1,000. A third offense could result in 1 to 5 years imprisonment, the first full year of which must be served without parole, probation, or the suspension of the sentence, and $2,000 in fines. A fourth offense will typically result in 10 to 30 years in prison, the first 3 years of which must be served without parole, probation, or the suspension of the sentence, and $5,000 in fines.

Additionally, penalties for domestic abuse in Louisiana are generally enhanced when the following factors are found to be true:

• The alleged offender has prior domestic abuse convictions, either in or out of state, unless more than 10 years have passed since the prior conviction’s sentence was completed
• A child under the age of 14 was present (whether as a victim or witness) during the alleged domestic abuse, violence, or battery
• The alleged victim was pregnant, and the alleged offender knew the victim was pregnant, when the alleged domestic abuse offense occurred
• The alleged domestic abuse offense involved burning, defined as “an injury to flesh or skin caused by heat, electricity, friction, radiation, or any other chemical or thermal reaction”
• The alleged domestic abuse offense involved strangulation, defined as “intentionally impeding the normal breathing or circulation of the blood by applying pressure on the throat or neck or by blocking the nose or mouth”
• The alleged domestic abuse offense involved “serious bodily injury,” defined as “bodily injury that involves unconsciousness, extreme physical pain, or protracted and obvious disfigurement, or protracted loss or impairment of the function of a bodily member, organ, or mental faculty, or a substantial risk of death”
  

Those found guilty of domestic abuse may also be placed on probation and ordered to complete various court-monitored domestic abuse intervention programs. They will also lose their right to own a firearm.

If you have been accused of or arrested for domestic abuse, you should seek immediate legal representation. These are serious criminal charges, ones that could affect nearly all aspects of your life for years to come. Know that you have the right to remain silent, and you have the right to an attorney. We strongly recommend that you avoid speaking to law enforcement until you have consulted with a criminal defense attorney who can advise you as to your rights and options.

At The Hall Law Firm, we offer free and confidential consultations to anyone facing criminal accusations. We understand that domestic abuse cases are complex and emotionally fraught; our Shreveport domestic abuse attorneys are here to guide you through the process of protecting your rights and seeking the best possible outcome. In our nearly five decades in practice, we have secured numerous acquittals, reduced charges, reduced penalties, and not-guilty verdicts for our clients.