Assault/ Domestic Violence

Domestic Violence

What is Domestic Violence?

Domestic violence is physical or verbal abuse that occurs within a family or intimate relationship. A person may call 911 and report that another family member or close friend used or attempted to use violence against them. Incidents of domestic violence may happen only once, or over an extended period of time. In most domestic violence cases, physical force along with verbal abuse is used to instill fear and hurt in the victim. For this reason, many Seattle, Washington domestic violence incidents are not reported to law enforcement. Violence may occur between spouses, boyfriends, girlfriends, parents or siblings.

Washington State Domestic Violence Legal Penalties

Domestic Violence (DV) in Washington State is usually classified as a misdemeanor offense. However, some Washington domestic violence offenses may be categorized as a felony if the allegation is sexual abuse of a minor, assault of a minor, or that the assault caused substantial bodily damage to the victim.

Once a person is convicted of domestic violence in Seattle, he/she may be punished with:

  • Imprisonment, jail time, electronic home monitoring
  • Restitution: paying the victim’s medical bills and counseling bills
  • Large fines
  • Community service
  • Probation
  • Mandatory DNA sample
  • Court-ordered counseling

If the defendant has a prior criminal offense on his/her record, he/she may be subject to enhanced criminal charges and a longer jail sentence if convicted. If you or someone you know have been accused of or arrested on a domestic violence charge in Washington State, it is important to obtain the services of a skilled criminal defense attorney who has the experience and knowledge of what it takes to successfully fight the government’s charges against you. A DV lawyer can help a person charged with domestic violence in Seattle, WA understand what the risks are and, if necessary, fight against the government’s allegations, the terms of a restraining order or any order which may prohibit the person from having contact with the alleged victim or entering their own residence.

Hiring an Experienced Domestic Violence Attorney

Kannin Law Firm P.S. is a criminal defense law firm that has been helping clients throughout Washington State contest their criminal charges and obtain superior results for more than ten years. Our skilled domestic violence trial attorneys have years of court room experience and we are fully prepared to undertake our clients’ cases. When we work with our clients, we do everything possible to make sure that they receive the attention, resources, and dedicated legal counsel that they deserve for their domestic violence charge in Seattle or Washington State.

Serving all of Washington State

For our clients’ convenience, we are in the vicinity of courthouses in Seattle, Shoreline, SeaTac, Burien, Des Moines, Redmond, Tacoma, Lynnwood, Tukwila, Federal Way, Kent, Auburn, Bellevue, Newcastle, Redmond, Everett, Bremerton, and Factoria. We represent clients from King, Pierce, Kitsap and Snohomish counties, as well as all areas of Washington State. We are accessible 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

If you have been charged with a domestic violence crime, call Kannin Law Firm P.S. at 206.574.0202. We can evaluate your case and advise you of your legal rights and obligations. We strive to establish that you are not guilty of domestic violence.