While assault and battery is serious in general, there is heightened punishment and stigma associated with the crime in the domestic context. Domestic assault and battery is defined as committing an assault and battery against, “a current or former spouse, a present spouse of a former spouse, a former spouse of a present spouse, parents, a foster parent, a child, a person otherwise related by blood or marriage, a person with whom the defendant is or was in a dating relationship. . . an individual with whom the defendant has had a child, a person who formerly lived in the same household as the defendant, or a person living in the same household as the defendant. . .”
Special Punishments Apply To Those Convicted
Domestic assault and battery carries punishments of up to a year in jail and a fine of up to $5,000. Additional convictions can increase this to up to four years in state prison. Committing the same crime with a dangerous weapon can bring up to ten years in prison. Using a weapon with the potential to kill in a domestic assault and battery can even subject you to life in prison.
If the victim is pregnant, the punishments increase as well. For example, if a miscarriage occurs, this can subject you to a 20-year sentence. Finally, incidents of domestic assault and battery in the presence of children can aggravate the offense and stiffen the punishment.
A Tulsa Criminal Defense Attorney Can Tell You More
When charged with domestic assault and battery, you should set up a consultation with a Tulsa criminal defense attorney to discuss the circumstances of your case. Call Seventh Street Law Firm at 918-932-2777 for a initial and confidential consultation.