Domestic Violence during COVID-19 Stay at Home order in Phoenix, AZ

by Aaron M. Black • April 09, 2020
Domestic Violence
As you know, Governor Ducey declared a stay at home order on April 1, 2020, effective until April 30th. Until that time, the best defense is to stay at home.
 
Of course with the stress associated with the current state of affairs, being shut in with family may compound the situation. Emotions can flare over small things causing tempers to rage, ending in accusations of domestic violence.
 
Bad decisions can be made in seconds.

Domestic Violence during Isolation

Arizona defines domestic violence as a criminal, abusive act performed by a member of a family or a household upon another member. Domestic relationships include spouses, former spouses, children, present and previous intimate partners, dating relationships, and elderly residents.

Furthermore, the Maricopa County Attorney’s office says 90 percent of domestic violence cases are prosecuted as the most serious of the misdemeanor offenses, and the penalties are as follows.
  • Punishable by up to six months in jail
  • $2,500 in Fines plus surcharges
  • Domestic violence classes (Up to 52 hours)
A second domestic violence conviction allows prosecutors to ask for a harsher sentence.

A third conviction may be charged as a more severe felony with time in state prison and more substantial fines.

Arizona’s Domestic Violence Law

When there’s aggressiveness in the family or similar setting, and the situation elevates to the police being summoned, a criminal charge comes into play.
 
Domestic violence doesn’t have to be violent. It can also be emotional, financial, mental, and neglectful. In short, a domestic violence victim doesn’t have to be injured for the case to proceed.
 
Arizona Revised Statute 13-3601 and its several subsections cover all aspects of domestic violence, which is comprised of several associated offenses, including:
  • Physical and verbal assaults
  • Battery
  • Assault with a dangerous weapon
  • Threats
  • Witness intimidation
  • Violating a restraining order or an order of protection designed to keep the aggressor away from the victim
  • Stalking
  • Child abuse
  • Sexual battery
  • Sexual assault upon a minor
  • Elder abuse
  • Kidnapping
  • Murder 

Aggravated Domestic Violence

To protect victims of repeated domestic violence, Arizona Lawmakers armed the state’s aggravated domestic violence law with harsh consequences and restrictions.
Police and prosecutors are aggressive in enforcing this class five felony.
 
 Arizona Revised Statute §13-3601.02 raises a misdemeanor domestic violence charge to the more serious aggravated level under certain circumstances.
 
This law applies to repeat defendants who have been convicted of second, third, or additional domestic violence offenses in Arizona or some other state and in tribal courts occurring within 84 months (seven years).

Crimes related to aggravated domestic violence cases under Arizona law §13.3601 encompass a long list of crimes that can lead to additional charges.
 
Crimes that can lead to additional Criminal Charges:
  • Negligent homicide
  • Criminal damage
  • Manslaughter
  • Interfering with judicial proceedings
  • Second-degree murder
  • Disorderly conduct
  • First-degree murder
  • Cruelty to animals
  • Endangerment
  • Use of a telephone to intimidate or threaten
  • Threatening or intimidating Harassment
  • Custodial interference
  • Aggravated Harassment
  • Unlawful imprisonment
  • Stalking
  • Kidnapping
  • Surreptitious photographing or filming
  • Sexual assault
  • Criminal trespassing

Domestic Violence, Common Defenses

Arizona law allows for certain defenses depending on the circumstances of the particular event.

The defenses for aggravated domestic violence include the following.
  • Insufficient evidence 
     
  • At the outset, the officer decides to make an arrest and fails to advise you of the Constitution’s Fifth Amendment right to remain silent and that you have the right to have a defense attorney at the questioning.
     
  • Because the people involved in aggravated domestic violence cases are emotionally involved, and the allegations can become blurred. In some cases, the victim may falsely accuse you. 
     
  • The defendant may argue that using physical aggression was lawful because he or she was acting in self-defense and that the other person was the initial aggressor. 
     
  • The defense may argue that the prosecutor failed to prove the state’s case beyond a reasonable doubt. 
     
  • Another defense is that the two parties didn’t share a domestic relationship as defined in Arizona law. 
     
  • Hearsay, a statement made by someone who was not present, is usually not admissible. However, an “excited utterance,” a statement made in an emotionally charged state of mind, might be allowed. 
The knowledge and experience of a criminal defense attorney who defends domestic violence cases may determine other defenses based on your particular situation.

The Law Office of Aaron M. Black is an Essential Business

Governor Doug Ducey deemed that law firms are an “essential business” during the current stay at home order.

Although my office is open, I am practicing social distancing as deemed appropriate by the CDC.

If you’ve been charged with domestic violence in Phoenix, AZ or surrounding communities, we can always talk by phone or video chat. Even before the pandemic, 50% of all my clients hired me over the phone before ever meeting in person.

I can easily review documents that are emailed or texted to me, and payments can be made by credit card via email and Square® processing.

These are crazy times and Criminal Domestic Violence or even DUI charges can only compound an already stressful situation.

If you are facing criminal charges for domestic violence, Contact Phoenix, AZ Criminal and DUI Defense Attorney Aaron Black or call (480) 729-1683. I am available any time, day or night, on weekends and holidays.

I defend clients in Arizona’s justice, city, county, state, and federal courts.
 
 

About the Author

Aaron Black Phoenix DUI LawyerAaron Black is the founder and sole attorney of the Law Office of Aaron Black. Located in Phoenix, Arizona, his DUI and criminal defense law firm provides legal services to people who have received felony or misdemeanor charges from the state.

Aaron has developed a strong interest in defending people who have been arrested and received criminal charges for driving under the influence. With his professionalism and knowledge of Arizona DUI and criminal law, he has acted as a check and balance on the police, prosecution and courts and has protected a great number of his clients from excessive and unfair sentencing.

Along with DUI defense, Aaron handles a range of other criminal defense matters, including aggravated assault, burglary, domestic violence, drug possession, drug trafficking, fraud defense, insurance fraud, sex crimes, and white-collar crime cases.

After graduating college in 2003 from the University of Arizona, Aaron decided to pursue a law degree. He followed a family long tradition and went to the University of South Dakota School of Law where he pursued his goal of becoming a criminal defense lawyer.

After passing the Arizona and South Dakota bar exams, Aaron joined the Maricopa County Office of the Public Defender where he defended hundreds of people charged with serious criminal offenses. His work as a public defender helped him sharpen his litigation skills and gave him a unique insight into the Arizona criminal justice system.

Over the course of his 15-year legal career, Aaron has spent a considerable amount of time in both Arizona justice, municipal, state and federal courts. He has argued over 50 jury trials, tried over 100 bench trials and has become one of the highest-rated criminal and DUI defense attorneys in Phoenix and the surrounding areas. He has received a 10/10 rating from the legal directory Avvo because of his legal background and successful case record. Since 2014, he has received the Super Lawyer rating for his work as a Phoenix DUI Attorney and criminal defense attorney.

You can review Aaron’s Attorney Bio page for more information about his background, education and experience as a Phoenix DUI and criminal defense attorney.
Google Screened Attorney - Phoenix DUI and Criminal Defense
We've just been vetted by Google screening. This process provides peace of mind to consumers that the attorney they are choosing passes both business and personal background checks, has malpractice insurance, and has a current license to practice law in the state.

Archive

Subscribe to the RSS feed


DUI or Criminal Related Question?
Send me an email.

I will promptly respond unless I am in court.