When violence occurs between roommates, the resulting criminal case could be made more complex due to the relationship between the parties. Any individuals who are cohabitating in Mecklenburg County could conceivably be charged with domestic violence rather than assault and battery. The distinction between these charges depends on the nature of the relationship and the degree to which the people are cohabitating.
If you were charged with roommate violence, you should consider reaching out to a seasoned Mecklenburg County roommate violence lawyer. It is important to find an attorney with experience handling domestic violence cases as well as roommate violence cases. A lawyer with relevant knowledge and experience could more effectively make the appropriate distinctions in the case, which could lead to a better outcome. Because the penalties for roommate violence and domestic violence are severe, you should not hesitate to contact a dedicated criminal defense attorney as soon as possible and schedule a consultation.
A violent episode between roommates could be considered just regular assault and battery or some other sort of violent conduct that would not be in the domestic relations court. However, in some cases, an incident could be considered domestic violence. This distinction depends on the nature of the relationship between the accused person and the alleged victim.
For example, if two people are living together as roommates and are not involved in any sort of romantic or familial relationship, then they would not be charged with domestic violence. Instead, they likely would be charged with assault and battery or some other form of violence.
The potential penalties for domestic violence or regular assault and battery are the same. A conviction can result in up to 12 months in jail. Following an arrest on the charge, the accused individual also faces the possibility of a protective order, which might require them to find alternative living arrangements until after the trial.
If the accused individual has prior convictions, the penalties can be much more severe. It is possible for a third or subsequent offense of domestic violence to be charged as a felony, which can make it more difficult for a person to find employment or housing in the future.
The long-term consequences of a roommate violence conviction in Mecklenburg County could include possible loss of employment and it could include difficulty finding housing for any place that does a criminal background check as part of a housing application.
The most important thing an accused person can do is when facing roommate violence charges is immediately hire an attorney. A lawyer could meet with the accused individual and gather all of the relevant information from them. In some cases, a skilled Mecklenburg County roommate violence lawyer could negotiate a positive resolution to the case without needing to go to trial. If a trial is necessary, a veteran attorney knows how to effectively prepare a defense and fight in court. Seek the services of an experienced criminal defense attorney today to discuss your situation.