Domestic Assault Charges

I have been charged with domestic assault, what should I do?  

If you or someone you know has been charged with domestic assault, it is important to seek the advice of an experienced criminal defense lawyer. As will be explained in this article, even a minor misdemeanor domestic assault charge or conviction can have lifelong consequences.

How is domestic assault defined?

In Minnesota, you can be charged with domestic assault if you do any of the following against a family member:

1. If you “commit an act with the intent to cause bodily harm or death” you are guilty of a misdemeanor.
2. If you “intentionally inflict or attempt to inflict bodily harm or death” you are guilty of a misdemeanor.
3. If you “strangle” the person you are guilty of a felony.

A family member means more than immediate family. You can find the definition of  “family member” here.  The crime of domestic assault can be as slight as raising your fist, or threatening a person, to as serious as impeding their breathing. However serious the charge you’re facing, it can still have lasting consequences.

What are some consequences of a domestic assault conviction?

1. Loss of firearm for rights from anywhere from 3 years to life.
2. Deportation from the United States if you are not a citizen.
3. Loss of ability to obtain a license which requires a Department of Human Services Background Study from anywhere from 5 years to life.
4. Difficulty obtaining housing.
5. Many employers will not hire you if you have been convicted of any type of assault crime.
6. For felony convictions, a loss of civil rights.

Can you defend me in my domestic assault case?

Domestic assault cases are some of the most defendable cases. Often, the incident has taken place behind closed doors, so it becomes a “he said, she said” case. Alleged victims of domestic assault may change their story many times, making it easier to discredit their testimony. They may even recant their statement, meaning that they say that their former statement was a lie. All of these factors and more, make it possible to defend a domestic assault case.

The attorneys at Sieben & Cotter have been successful in achieving dismissals and not guilty verdicts in domestic assault cases. View our case results here:

Tom Sieben Case Victories  |  Patrick Cotter Case Victories  |  Alex Hertogs Case Victories

If you have been charged with domestic assault, act quickly. Call Sieben & Cotter at 651-455-1555 to arrange your free and comprehensive consultation, or send a request for more information.