It is not uncommon for insignificant arguments to escalate into violence, and what is often considered as a private matter can escalate into serious charges once the police arrive. An arrest for domestic violence can come as a shock because violent acts often happen on impulse. Even though the parties involved can sometimes communicate rationally and calmly after a day or two, the legal complications of a domestic violence arrest in Michigan will continue.
A father of a 24-year-old woman was recently arrested after an argument turned violent. It was reported that the woman was moving out of the house they shared when her father allegedly started damaging her belongings. When she attempted to prevent this, her father allegedly tried to choke her after punching her in the face. The quarrel continued, and they ended up outside. At that time, her father allegedly grabbed a hammer, and a witness stopped him from using it to hit his daughter.
Deputies reported that the witness apparently prevented the woman from receiving several blows by the hammer. According to the deputies, the 52-year-old father denied even touching his daughter and asserted that he only tried to protect himself from her attacking him. At a recent arraignment, he reportedly pleaded not guilty to a misdemeanor domestic violence charge along with a felony charge of assault with a deadly weapon. He was jailed on a bond of $50,000.
In most cases of domestic violence, the story has two sides. It is important for Michigan individuals who are accused of felony assault to know their rights and to utilize the services of an attorney who is experienced in this field of the law. A lawyer can launch an independent investigation to determine the circumstances that gave rise to the charges. Information obtained from interviews with alleged victims and witnesses may form the basis of the ultimate defense strategy that will serve the unique needs and goals of the client.
Source: freep.com, "Man charged for punching, choking daughter", Laura Colvin, Sept. 27, 2015