A person charged with domestic violence in Lancaster County, PA requires an experienced Criminal Defense team to protect his or her rights. Domestic violence charges are very serious and can stem from a variety of different charges. Sadly, however, many cases are false accusations, coming from family disputes and vengeance rather than the truth.
No matter what the facts of your case are, an experienced Lehigh County Domestic Violence attorney is here to present a strong defense on your behalf.
Domestic Violence Charges in Lehigh County, PA
There are a multitude of different crimes that fall within the purview of the "domestic violence" definition. Domestic violence offenses that are commonly charged in Lancaster County include:
- Child Abuse
- Stalking
- Kidnapping
- Domestic Assault
- False Imprisonment
- Sexual Assault
- Harassment
- Endangering the Welfare of Children
- Violation of a Protective Order
- Homicide
Definitions
"Domestic abuse" means causing or attempting to cause sexual assault, rape, or bodily injury either with or without a weapon, child abuse or false imprisonment intentionally or knowingly to a family or household member.
"Family or household member" includes any of the following:
- People related through marriage
- People related through blood
- People who have a biological child together
- Current sexual partners
- Former sexual partners
- Spouse
- Ex-spouse
- Cohabiters
- People who have previously cohabited
Penalties for Domestic Violence Charges in Pennsylvania
Some of the most common offenses that are charged in Lehigh County as domestic violence include the following, along with their potential penalty ranges:
Sexual Assault
Sexual assault occurs when a person engages in sexual intercourse with a person against that person's consent or with a person who is unable to give consent. Penalties include:
- up to 5 to 10 years in prison
- a fine of up to $25,000
Child Abuse
Child abuse occurs when a guardian or parent knowingly endangers the welfare of a child through negligent or reckless conduct. Potential penalties include:
- 2.5 to 5 years, or 3.5 to 7 years, depending on classification
- up to $10,000 or $15,000 fine, depending on classification
False Imprisonment
False imprisonment occurs when a person knowingly and unlawfully restrains another against his or her will. Penalties include:
- 1 to 2 years in prison
- a maximum $5,000 fine
Stalking
Stalking occurs when a person repeatedly communicates with or follows another person and that causes the person to suffer a reasonable fear of bodily injury or severe emotional distress. Penalties include:
- 2.5-5 years or 3.5 to 7 years in jail, depending on classification
- $10,000 or $15,000 fine, depending on classification
Harassment
Harassment occurs when a person makes physical contact, follows a person, communicates repeatedly with them, or repeatedly engages in conduct to influence another. Harassment charges can lead to penalties that include:
- up to 90 days in jail
- up to $300 fine
Protective Order Violations
Protection from Abuse (PFA) orders protect certain persons from another person to prevent immediate danger or harm. Some are long term, while others are temporary.
Violating a protective order can lead to serious criminal penalties, including a contempt citation, 6 months in prison, and a $1,000 fine.
Consult an Experienced Lehigh County Criminal Defense Team
The Criminal Defense team is ready to put their years of experience to work for you. They can create a specialized defense tailored to your individual case.
If you have been arrested and charged with domestic violence in Pennsylvania, the LLF Law Firm will fight for your constitutional rights. Call (888) 535-3686 or contact us online today to schedule a consultation of your case.
