According to the Michigan State Police Crime in Michigan report, there were nearly 50,000 victims of domestic violence in Michigan in 2018, the most recent year for which statistics are currently available. The numbers for 2018 were almost half what they have been for the last several years. In 2017, for example, there were 88,500 victims. Regardless of the cause for the drop in numbers, and no matter where the statistics go in the future, the fact remains that thousands of men and women are arrested and charged with domestic violence each year. Some of these defendants are falsely accused and others are first-time offenders. At the Cronin Law Firm, we represent people accused of domestic violence because we believe that everyone has rights and deserves fair treatment under the law.
Who Gets Charged With Domestic Violence?
Domestic violence charges apply to any altercation involving members of the same family or household or those who are in an intimate relationship. In Michigan, domestic violence statistics include victims who are children, spouses, boyfriends, girlfriends, roommates, siblings, and step-families. Domestic violence happens at every socio-economic level, from the very poor to the very rich. It happens in every county in Michigan, although Wayne County reported more cases than any other county in 2018, accounting for over 35 percent of the state’s domestic violence arrests.
Women are charged with domestic violence in about 25 percent of the cases. In Michigan in 2018, 12,829 of the victims were men and 12,289 of those arrested and charged were women. A common scenario is one where the man starts a verbal fight, and the woman defends herself by hitting, kicking, slapping, or scratching the man. The woman may be the one to call the police, but if they arrive and find that the man has physical injuries, she could be the one who is arrested. Women are not immune from getting charged. Police will do their due diligence in investigating the situation and will charge the person they feel is at fault, regardless of gender.
How Do You Fight a Domestic Violence Charge?
Every person charged with a crime has the right to an attorney. When fighting a domestic violence charge in Michigan, you need to hire the best attorney you can afford. There are ways to fight these charges, and Founder and Managing Partner Sabrina Shaheen Cronin has successfully defended a great number of domestic violence cases. A common strategy for first-time offenders is to pursue a 769.4a, or Michigan Domestic Violence Deferral statute. Under this option, if you successfully complete probation, the arrest will be cleared from your record. If you are not eligible for a deferred sentence, there are other ways to fight the charges and lessen the sentence, including questioning the evidence, proving self-defense, examining the criminal record of the victim, calling character witnesses, and more. Your attorney will work hard to secure the best possible outcome for your case.
Domestic Violence Will Always Exist
The Cronin Law Firm has seen Michiganders suffer through hard economic times, and we have seen them thrive in a booming economy. No matter what the economic circumstances are, however, we continue to see thousands of cases of domestic violence every year. The crime of domestic violence is an ongoing problem in Michigan and across the country, and we will always be here to fight for the rights of the accused.
If You Are Charged With Domestic Violence in Michigan, Contact The Cronin Law Firm
At The Cronin Law Firm, we draw on our Three C’s for every one of our clients. When you are facing domestic violence charges, we will be Courageous in our pursuit of justice on your behalf, Confident in our ability to mount a strong defense, and Compassionate in our support for you and your family at this challenging time. When you work with our team of defense attorneys, you can be sure that your rights will be protected and that we will do the best we can to minimize the impact of this charge on your life.
Click the “Text Us” button on this page, complete our contact form, or call us at 248-258-3500 today to schedule an appointment for a complimentary initial consultation.