Vancouver takes aggressive approach on domestic violence

February 26, 2014 (Press-News.org) Domestic violence has attracted more attention over the last several years and this has led to tougher laws in Clark County. It also means that people can be arrested and charged with committing a domestic violence crime over a simple argument or disagreement.

Allegedly an argument broke out between two women in a domestic partnership. According to The Columbian, the women were driving along Interstate 5 when the argument occurred. The driver is accused of hitting the passenger and trying to keep her from getting out of the vehicle. The passenger did not appear to have been injured in the altercation but the driver was arrested and charged with domestic violence and suspicion of fourth-degree assault.

What is considered domestic violence?

Many people assume that domestic violence occurs when a person injures another person in a family relationship. However, according to Clark County, the following falls under the terms of domestic violence:
- Controlling behavior - telling someone that they cannot see or talk to certain people.
- Destructive - breaks the other person's belongings.
- Overly jealous - claims that jealousy is a sign of love.
- Makes threats of harm against family members, animals or others in an effort to regain control.
- Puts the other person down in public or private.
- Is sexually aggressive towards the other person in a way that is not comfortable to that person.

In Clark County, someone doesn't have to physically touch another person in order to be arrested and accused of domestic violence. This means that even an argument that escalates to spoken threats and insults could be grounds for criminal action.

Court orders

When someone is accused of committing a domestic violence act, the alleged victim can obtain what is called a domestic violence protection order. If such an order is issued, the person who is named in the order can be prohibited from entering the family home, ordered to leave a residence shared with the victim, prohibit contact with children, grant temporary custody of children to the other parent or prohibit the person from contacting the alleged victim through email or by phone.

If an alleged victim chooses not to ask for a domestic violence protection order, the judge assigned to the case can issue what is known as a no-contact order. When this order is issued, the person is not allowed to reenter their home or have contact with the alleged victim. If the person and the alleged victim share children together, this often means that the person will be unable to see their children or contact them as well. The order will stay in effect until the criminal case is resolved.

Aggressive actions

Vancouver has a domestic violence prosecution center that is solely focused on prosecuting people accused of committing any form of domestic violence. However, in their zeal to protect victims of violence, innocent people can find their lives in turmoil. Accusations of domestic violence can leave people without a home, a family and even a job. Therefore, anyone who is facing a charge of domestic violence should meet with an experienced attorney to formulate an aggressive defense or discuss their legal options.

Article provided by Green & Ritchie, PLLC
Visit us at www.greenandritchie.com