New York Roommate Violence Lawyer

A person’s home is their safe place, but when tension between roommates threatens that sense of security, home can become a battleground. When the tension erupts into violence, police are sometimes called and roommates are sometimes arrested on charges of domestic violence necessitating a criminal defense lawyer.

The alleged victim may choose to file a restraining order, preventing the accused from returning to their home if the roommates have an intimate relationship or are family members. This kind of arrest can shake a person to their core and make them uncertain of their future. That is why New York roommate violence lawyers defend those accused of domestic violence against roommates.

Too much of a person’s future relies upon the outcome of such criminal charges. With the help of legal counsel, those accused of roommate violence can rest assured that their future is in good hands. Accusations do not equate guilt, and experienced domestic violence lawyers are here to help tell your side of the story.

Understanding Roommate Violence

When most people think about domestic violence, they picture a married couple fighting. That is not the only kind of domestic violence, though. Roommate violence is much less common but still occurs at an alarming rate. Violence between people sharing a home, regardless of their familial relationship to one another, is considered domestic violence.

Just like the violence that occurs within a family, roommate violence can result in charges of assault and battery. And just like accusations of violence in a family, false allegations are made incredibly frequently. Attorneys can help expose the truth.

Criminal Consequences

Striking a roommate is a form of domestic violence, at least in the eyes of New York state law. Whether or not the person intended to cause harm, assault that causes physical pain to someone you live with is indeed domestic violence.

When a person is arrested and charged with domestic violence, they face a range of consequences, from probation to life in prison. The severity of the violence helps determine the severity of the punishment.

• New York Misdemeanor and Felony Assault Crimes
• New York Misdemeanor Aggravated Harassment
• New York Misdemeanor and Felony Strangulation and Related Offenses
• New York Misdemeanor Second Degree Menacing
• New York Misdemeanor Third Degree Menacing

Even if the person is found not guilty in court, the impact of a domestic violence arrest may linger for years. Many times, the charge remains on a person’s criminal record long after the incident occurred.

This can make job and apartment hunting difficult and may even endanger a person’s custody rights. Without a New York roommate violence lawyer, those accused of domestic violence face an uphill climb against the allegations.

Hiring an Attorney

If you have been accused of violence by a current or former roommate, contact an attorney as soon as possible. A New York roommate violence attorney can help explain the next steps to take, help collect evidence in your favor.

It is important to work with an attorney familiar with handling criminal cases between roommates in New York. A lawyer will be able to investigate your case, identify potential defense arguments and help explain how domestic violence cases are handled by the court system.

New York roommate violence lawyers can advocate on your behalf to minimize your risk of serious penalties. A person accused of roommate violence faces steep maximum penalties, including many years behind bars.