COVID-19 has had a dramatic impact on the everyday lives of people all over the world. One of the biggest changes? The government’s request for citizens to “shelter in place.”

Essentially, this kind of order calls for limited time outside your home to essential activities like work, medical appointments, or to get groceries.

Naturally, families and partners are spending more time together than ever and people are stressed. This can be a recipe for disaster sometimes, and worst-case scenario? We see a spike in domestic violence.

In Connecticut, those who face domestic violence charges can face some harsh penalties. That’s why it’s important to know what qualifies as domestic violence in Connecticut and the penalties associated with a conviction.

What is Domestic Violence in Connecticut?

Under Connecticut law, domestic violence, also sometimes referred to as family violence, is an incident usually involving physical harm, bodily injury, threatened violence, or assault that occurs between one household or family member against another.

Many different crimes can be charged as domestic violence as long as the act involves individuals of the same family or household. Three of the most common domestic violence offenses in Connecticut are threats to a family member, assault, and sexual assault.

Threatening a Family Member

One common criminal offense associated with domestic violence is threatening. According to the law in Connecticut, someone can be charged with a misdemeanor or felony threatening of a family member or partner.

Depending on how a threat is made, an offender may face either first- or second-degree threatening charges.

First-Degree Threatening: This is a Class D felony. The defendant must have made a threat with a firearm in order to be charged with this felony and can face up to five years in prison, a $5,000 fine, and probation as a result.

Second-Degree Threatening: When there is no weapon involved, a threat is classified as a Class A misdemeanor. A conviction usually carries a jail sentence that can reach one year, a maximum fine of $2,000, and a stint on probation.

Assault Against a Family Member or Partner

In Connecticut, assaulting a child, spouse, partner, or another member of the family can result in a charge of felony or misdemeanor assault.

How a person is charged depends on the severity of the victim’s injuries and whether or not a firearm was involved. The penalties for assault are also broken down by degree:

First-Degree Assault: This is a Class B felony where a deadly weapon was used or there was intentional dismemberment or amputation. If convicted of these charges, the defendant can face a prison sentence of one to 20 years and up to a $15,000 fine.

Second-Degree Assault: This is a Class D felony and can result in a sentence of up to five years in prison, a fine of $5,000 and probation

Third-Degree Assault: This is a Class A misdemeanor and is the most common charge associated with domestic violence. If convicted, this carries a penalty of up to one year in jail, a $2,000 fine, and probation.

Sexual Assault

When someone forces themselves sexually on a spouse or partner, it is a Class B felony. A conviction carries up to a 20-year jail sentence. Fines can reach $15,000. It doesn’t matter whether you’re committed. No still means no.

Any Connecticut Crime Can Be Domestic Violence

In today’s post, we’ve only covered the three crimes most associated with domestic violence charges here in Connecticut. The fact is, any crime perpetrated against a family or household member can result in a domestic violence arrest, and the penalties can be stiff.

As you weather the coronavirus storm together with family, try to be patient with yourself and with one another. If it comes down to taking a walk or doing something you might regret, count that walk as essential business.

The holidays can be a stressful time. Wallets feel thinner, the weather gets colder, and you have to entertain or travel more than normal. All of this stress can feel overwhelming. Flipping on the news to hear stressful statistics doesn’t help either.

Every year, it seems like the news talks about how the holidays bring out the worst in domestic abusers. They warn that domestic violence spikes during the holidays, linking end-of-year stress and increased partying to more incidents.

News reports might even show interviews with law enforcement officers who vow to crack down on domestic violence throughout the area.

The problem is these stories don’t necessarily paint an accurate picture. Still, the myth of high rates of DV during the holidays could lead to false accusations and even false convictions. Know the facts and know what to do if you are accused of domestic violence.

Statistics Don’t Reflect Spikes in Holiday Domestic Violence

While one small set of data could be manipulated to show an increase in a specific type of domestic violence incident during the holiday season, plenty of others don’t.

In fact, the sets of data supporting these stories aren’t always accurate or big enough to come to any conclusion at all.

The National Resource Center on Domestic Violence has said that there is no reliable study that shows an increase in domestic violence throughout the country.

Other studies show that calls to law enforcement regarding domestic violence are actually lower on holidays like Thanksgiving and Christmas, and have been for the past 10 years.

Data Might Explain When, But It Doesn’t Explain Why

Take for instance a study from 2010. Domestic violence incident statistics reveal a spike in calls on New Year’s, but also on other holidays throughout the year (Memorial Day, Labor Day, etc.). Why is that?

Single reports can fail to show how long domestic violence has been occurring in the home or discern between intimate partner violence and other acts of family violence, as well.

There is just so little that we can truly pull from available numbers. Even the experts who evaluate this data say that the numbers fail to explain why incidents are reported more or less throughout the year.

Having access to information about how long the relationship has lasted and how long the violence has lasted, for example, would paint a better picture of the incident and why it’s being reported.

Financial strain, stress, and alcohol are all linked to domestic violence, but there is no one cause of domestic abuse (other than an abuser.)

Plenty of factors play into why someone would commit domestic violence, and these factors aren’t always easy to calculate or evaluate with data. Furthermore, not all incidents are ever reported.

Not All Incidents of Domestic Violence are Reported

Data never tells the whole story when it comes to domestic violence. Not all incidents of domestic violence are reported.

In fact, these incidents are more likely to be swept under the rug than taken to law enforcement.

Incidents of domestic violence could also be reported later only when friends, family, and colleagues see symptoms or hear stories from victims.

So why do we need to be aware of the weaknesses in these stories and data sources? Because these myths could (and sometimes do) lead to overzealous policing here.

These Myths Could Lead to Overzealous Policing in Connecticut

It’s no surprise to see more police cars on the side of the road the night before Thanksgiving or around New Year’s Eve. When the police suspect a spike in crime, they put more patrol cops on the street. Unfortunately, when these officers are looking for a crime that might not be happening, innocent people could be accused.

Misunderstandings Can Lead to False Accusations

If the neighbors hear an altercation at your home or your partner’s colleagues see a bruise on their arm, the police could be called in.

Domestic violence is often a case of “he said, she said,” so trying to talk your way out of an accusation may not help you. You might have to fight back through the law.

Overzealous policing and unlawful arrests don’t just hurt the people being accused. It takes precious time and resources away from victims who are continuing to be abused in their homes.

Fight Back Against New Haven Domestic Violence Accusations

Domestic violence is a serious problem throughout the United States year-round, but false accusations and arrests do not help to reduce the number of people who are abused each year.

It is important you set the record straight. Fight back against domestic violence accusations. A skilled Connecticut domestic violence attorney can help you build a strong defense strategy and avoid conviction.