St Louis Domestic Violence Lawyer
Facing a domestic violence charge? Act quickly to safeguard your freedom and reputation.
Hire a Criminal Defense Attorney that takes your Future as Seriously as YOU do — W. Scott Rose is here to give your case the undivided attention it deserves.
Domestic violence is a serious accusation that has significant implications for your future. Alleged abusers can lose their job and may have difficulties finding a new one due to background checking. Parents can lose custody of their children and veterans may lose their VA benefits. With extensive experience in handling criminal defense and assault cases, our knowledgeable St. Louis domestic violence lawyer can help minimize your charges and get you the best possible results for your case. — Take legal action today.
When Should I Hire a St. Louis Domestic Violence Lawyer?
Missouri has the third-highest rate of people who have experienced some form of domestic violence. According to Missouri law, physical violence does NOT have to be present for domestic violence to take place. There are many other threatening or endangering behaviors that can result in domestic violence charges against you. During a police investigation, here are some of the behaviors and situations that will be closely watched for:
- Physical Injury – Causing, attempting to cause, or recklessly causing physical injury, physical pain, or illness.
- Reckless Endangerment – Recklessly engaging in conduct that creates a substantial risk of death or serious physical injury.
- Isolating – Knowingly attempting to cause or causing the isolation of someone by unreasonable or substantially restricting his or her access to other persons, telecommunication devices, or transportation.
No Mandatory Arrest for Domestic Violence in St. Louis
There is NO mandatory arrest law in Missouri. In many other states, if the police answer a domestic violence call, they must make an arrest. Here in Missouri, officers can use their own discretion in domestic violence situations. If no arrest is made — A detailed report must be written following the incident.
However, if there is more than one call in a 12-hour period — The police MUST arrest the alleged abuser, regardless of circumstance.
The Right to Remain Silent During a Domestic Violence Arrest
If you are arrested for domestic violence, always remember that you have the right to remain silent and the right to an attorney. It’s best not to answer any questions or to speak to the police until after you have contacted a St. Louis domestic violence lawyer. Cooperate with the officers and invoke your Miranda rights if you are asked any questions. To do so, you can say:
- I wish to remain silent until my attorney is present
- I plead the fifth
- I will not answer any questions without speaking to my lawyer first
- I invoke my right to remain silent
Contact a St. Louis Domestic Violence Lawyer After Your Arrest
If you have been accused of domestic violence, and have sustained injuries — Seek proper medical attention first. Regardless of your role in a domestic violence altercation, you are entitled to medical treatment. If you need help with your injuries, visit a doctor.
When it’s safe to do so — Contact a St. Louis domestic violence attorney. You’ll need proper legal representation to help avoid the harsh penalties of these charges. Stay calm and allow us to inspect your case and prepare an effective defense thoroughly. If you get charged with a crime, your future is on the line. An experienced criminal defense attorney will give you the undivided attention your case needs.
Penalties For Domestic Violence in Missouri
In Missouri, there are four degrees of domestic violence charges:
Domestic Assault 1st Degree (Serious Injury)
To convict you of this offense, the State must prove beyond a reasonable doubt that the defendant:
- Attempted to kill a domestic victim i.e., a household or family member, including any child who is a member of the household or family.
- Inflicted serious physical injury on the victim.
- Knowingly caused or attempted to cause serious physical injury to a domestic victim.
Domestic assault in the first degree, with the presence of a serious injury, is considered a Class A Felony. Punishable by a minimum of (10) ten to a maximum of (30) thirty years in prison, without opportunity for parole until a minimum of 85% of the sentence has been served.
Domestic Assault 1st Degree
To convict you of this offense, the State must prove beyond a reasonable doubt that the defendant:
- Attempted to kill a domestic victim i.e., a household or family member, including any child who is a member of the household or family.
- Knowingly caused or attempted to cause serious physical injury to a domestic victim.
Domestic assault in the first degree is considered a Class B Felony, punishable by a minimum of (5) five to a maximum of (15) fifteen years in prison.
Domestic Assault 2nd Degree
To convict you of this offense, the State must prove beyond a reasonable doubt that the defendant:
- Knowingly or intentionally causing physical harm to a domestic victim; by any means, including but not limited to, use of a deadly weapon or dangerous instrument, or by choking or strangulation.
- Recklessly caused serious physical injury to a domestic victim.
- Recklessly caused physical injury to a domestic victim by means of any deadly weapon.
Domestic assault in the second degree, is considered a Class D Felony. Punishable by up to a maximum of (7) seven years in prison, and fines of up to $10,000.
Domestic Assault 3rd Degree
To convict you of this offense, the State must prove beyond a reasonable doubt that the defendant:
- Attempted to cause physical injury to a domestic victim.
- Knowingly caused pain or illness to a domestic victim.
Domestic assault in the third degree, is considered a Class E Felony. Punishable by up to a maximum of (4) four years in prison, and fines of up to $10,000.
Domestic Assault 4th Degree
To convict you of this offense, the State must prove beyond a reasonable doubt that the defendant:
- Attempted to cause or recklessly caused physical injury, physical pain, or illness to a domestic victim.
- Purposely placed a domestic victim in the apprehension of immediate physical injury by any means.
- Knowingly caused physical contact with a domestic victim, knowing that the victim would regard the contact as offensive.
Domestic assault in the fourth degree is considered a Class A Misdemeanor. Punishable by up to a maximum of (1) year in county jail, and fines of up to $2,000.
Find The Best St. Louis Domestic Violence Lawyer For Your Case
Look for an attorney that takes your future as seriously as YOU DO. Experienced in a range of criminal defense cases, including assault, property damage, and weapons charges — Rose Legal Services will work hard to get you the best possible results. Let’s start your case off with a free consultation, take the time to thoroughly review and inspect your case, and create a STRONG defense.
ST. LOUIS DOMESTIC VIOLENCE LAWYER
If you’ve been wrongfully accused or made a mistake… Take legal action today. Rose Legal Services exclusively defends clients against criminal defense and domestic violence charges in St. Louis County, St. Louis City, and surrounding areas. With nearly 20+ years of experience, rest assured we will work tirelessly & aggressively to defend you in the court of law.
- Immediate & Effective Representation
- Flat Fee Criminal Law Firm
- Get The UNDIVIDED ATTENTION Your Case Needs
- Take Legal Action TODAY
- All Cases Begin With A FREE Consultation
You must retain a St. Louis domestic violence attorney as soon as possible to help protect your freedom and your relationship with your family. Whether this is a first-time offense or you’ve been charged before, we can help you get the best possible results in your domestic violence case — Start building your case today with a free consultation.
Frequently Asked Questions
If you have been accused of domestic violence you likely have some concerns for your future. An experienced domestic violence attorney can provide you with the legal representation you need to get the best results possible. They will examine your history, assess any evidence available, and speak with any witnesses to build you a solid defense and give you a fighting chance in court.
With so many attorneys to choose from, it can be difficult to find the right one for your domestic violence case. Look for a law firm that exclusively defends clients against criminal defense charges in the St. Louis area. Find an attorney that offers you a free consultation and takes the time to fully understand your case to determine how they can help create a strong defense.