Rhode Island Domestic Violence Lawyer ...

If you have been arrested for a domestic violence crime, it is imperative that you hire The Law Office of Michael P. Marinelli to represent you. As a former prosecutor, I handled hundreds of domestic violence offenses in District and Superior Court. Additionally, I frequently represent clients charged with domestic violence offenses. If you are charged with a domestic violence offense, it is important to realize that the deck is stacked against you in favor of your accuser and the State. Rhode Island takes domestic violence crimes extremely seriously, and you need an aggressive criminal defense attorney to represent you to give you the best chance for a dismissal or a sentence on lesser charges.

Domestic Violence Frequent Questions ...

 

What is a domestic relationship?

• Spouses or former spouses
• Adult persons related by blood or marriage
• Roommates, or people that have lived together within the past three years
• People who have children in common
• People in a significant dating relationship

 

What types of offenses are considered “domestic” in nature?

Please note that this list is not exhaustive:

• Assault
• Vandalism
• Breaking & Entering
• Kidnapping
• Sexual Assault
• Disorderly Conduct
• Trespassing
• Violation of a No Contact Order

 

What are the penalties associated with domestic violence offenses?

There are numerous penalties that a criminal defendant can face if convicted of a domestic violence crime. Some of the penalties include: jail or probationary sentences, no contact orders imposed, fines, court costs and other penalties, surrender of firearms, batterers intervention classes, and mental health/substance abuse treatment. Importantly, domestic violence penalties are enhanced if a defendant has a prior conviction. For instance, a second domestic conviction requires a mandatory minimum sentence of ten days in jail and a third or subsequent conviction requires a mandatory minimum sentence of one year in jail among other penalties.