Domestic violence in a Pennsylvania criminal defense case can vary. Domestic violence would often be between intimate partners or household members depending on the relationship, for example. Domestic violence charges that a defendant can face can also vary. They can include simple assault, aggravated assault, harassment, terroristic threats, recklessly endangering another person, unlawful restraint, strangulation.
These cases are taken very seriously by district attorney's office across Pennsylvania and they are prosecuted vigorously. Often, the district attorney's office has an obligation to the alleged victim where regardless of how the case were to be initiated, the district attorney's office would often continue forward regardless of the victim's position regarding the matter, whether they're looking to still continue with the case or not. That's always a concern for a defendant.
In addition, domestic violence cases would often not be eligible for first-time offender programs like the accelerated rehabilitative diversion program or ARD, or that there are maybe some instances where an experienced attorney can have that be the case for a defendant. So much is at stake if you're accused of domestic violence in Pennsylvania. You need to have an experienced attorney in your corner to help you understand and navigate the process.
