Can I be charged with felony for a domestic violence dispute?

The rules for a domestic violence charge differ from state to state. For example, a domestic violence charge in Louisiana may be charged differently form a domestic charge in California or New York. Still, in every state, there are certain times when domestic violence can lead to felony charges. Furthermore, while the specific differences between domestic violence felonies and domestic violence misdemeanors may be different in different states, there are some common situations that are likely to lead to a felony charge.

Whether or not you will be charged with a felony or a misdemeanor for domestic violence depends on:

• The nature of the violence. If you threaten your spouse with a knife or gun or actually use a weapon in the violence, you are a lot more likely to be charged with a felony than if you simply hit your spouse
• The number of offenses. If you have already had a domestic violence conviction (or more than one) you are a lot more likely to face felony charges for any subsequent domestic violence offenses
• Any aggravating circumstances involved. For example, if there is a protective order (a restraining order) in place that you violate, this can also result in you facing felony charges

Felony charges are much more serious than misdemeanor charges and can include penalties of over 1 year of jail time... sometimes much more than one year. If you are facing felony domestic violence charges, it is imperative you consult with an experienced lawyer as soon as possible for assistance in building a defense or lessening your penalties.