Raleigh Domestic Violence Attorney
Domestic Violence Lawyer in Raleigh, North Carolina
If you or a loved one is dealing with domestic violence, there are a number of North Carolina laws you may want to be familiar with. At Hopper Law Firm, our Raleigh Family Law Attorneys have much experience handling cases involving domestic violence and will be able to advise you about your case and about what legal actions should be taken.
Domestic Violence in North Carolina, in a civil context, is defined as one or more of the following acts being committed upon an aggrieved party (victim) or upon a minor child residing with or in the custody of the aggrieved party:
- Attempting to cause bodily injury, or intentionally causing bodily injury.
- Placing the aggrieved party or a member of the aggrieved party or a member of the aggrieved party’s family of household in fear of imminent serious bodily injury or continued harassment that rises to such a level as to inflict substantial emotional distress.
- Committing any act as defined as first degree rape, second degree rape, first degree sexual offense, second degree sexual offense, sexual battery, statutory rape or sexual offense of person who is 13, 14, or 15 years old.
In North Carolina, a perpetrator is defined as a person with whom the aggrieved party has or has had a personal relationship. This would include:
- A person who you are dating or who you were previously dating
- A current or former household member
- A person of the opposite sex who has lived with you or is living with you
- A person with whom you have had a child
- A person who is related other than parent and child
Civil and Criminal Domestic Violence in Raleigh
In a criminal setting, the term domestic violence connotes the relationship of the parties more so than the criminal act itself. An assault on a female, class A1 misdemeanor, domestic criminal trespass, and violation of a domestic violence protective order, are examples of criminal violations that relate directly to the concept of domestic violence. However, acts such as harassing phone calls, stalking, simple assault (on a male), other assaults, breaking and entering, larceny, and even murder may be as a result of interpersonal relationships and could be characterized as civil domestic violence.
An experienced Raleigh Family Law Attorney will be the key to protecting your rights when dealing with domestic violence issues in North Carolina. In any matter of domestic violence it is important not only to seek the help of lawyers, but to also seek the help and assistance of trained professionals in Raleigh who can provide counseling, shelter, protection, and other services if needed.
Contact a Raleigh Family Law Attorney today to discuss any domestic violence issues you may be facing.