With many people staying home to stem the spread of Covid-19, there have been fewer reports of criminal activity. However, there is one exception. During the last several weeks domestic battery calls are up nearly fifty percent in some areas, domestic violence incidences are on the rise. In Wisconsin, a person commits the crime of domestic abuse aka domestic violence if they batter (physically injure), inflict pain or fear, or sexually assault a household or family member, which sometimes involves violations of restraining orders brought against an ex-spouse or partner.
Domestic Abuse Battery Charges
Battery is in a category all by itself and may be charged as felony offense when it causes substantial or great bodily harm. Violent scuffles that result in lacerations requiring stitches, bone fractures or broken noses and ruptured blood vessels (bruising) are possible examples of substantial bodily harm, any of which can easily result when altercations become heated. Great bodily harm is an injury that creates the risk of death or permanent disfigurement whether the person intended to cause great bodily harm or not. Additional charges may be brought when someone who commits felony battery uses or threatens to use a dangerous weapon such as a forearm (loaded or not) or yields or uses any other object capable of causing death or bodily harm.
Wisconsin Domestic Violence Arrest
Police can arrest a person for domestic abuse for inflicting pain or injury, sexual assault or committing a physical act that causes a victim to fear pain, injury or sexual assault. Depending on the circumstances, defendants may face multiple misdemeanor or felony charges such as battery, sexual assault, domestic abuse, weapons charges, property damage and more. Convictions can result in serious consequences including incarceration, fines, and the establishment of a criminal record.
Contact Our Experienced Wisconsin Domestic Battery and Family Law Attorneys
If you are charged with domestic battery or domestic violence during Covid-19, are subject to temporary restraining orders for alleged domestic abuse, or have violated an existing restraining order, it is important to seek help. Contact the Waukesha domestic battery defense and restraining order family law attorneys of Andrew C. Ladd LLC at 262-542-3900 for immediate assistance today.
