What are the Domestic Violence Laws in New Jersey?

Domestic violence charges are very serious and can impact the lives of more people than one. The state of New Jersey passed the Prevention of Domestic Violence Act in 1991 to protect. victims across the state. This includes all domestic relationships, including married, separated, divorced, living together, dating, or those who share children. The consequences of being charged with domestic violence in New Jersey can be significant, which is why those facing these situations should retain the services of a New Jersey criminal defense attorney for assistance.

What is Domestic Violence?

Domestic violence is an issue that can unfortunately happen to anyone. This is regardless of a person’s gender, social status, age, or sexual orientation. The signs of these acts are not always physical. Examples of domestic violence can include the following:

Controlling behavior
Simple assault
Terroristic threats
Harassment
Physical, psychological, emotional, and sexual abuse
Stalking

How Can Victims Obtain Protection?

There are two different types of relief that are offered to victims of domestic violence in New Jersey, including:

Civil Relief: This offers immediate intervention to victims because, once it is issued, the alleged abuser cannot go near the victim’s home, children, and cannot acquire a gun. This can only be lifted by the court if they decide if a permanent restraining order is needed.
Criminal Relief: This allows a victim of abuse to press criminal charges against their accused abuser.

How Do I Combat False Accusations?

As stated previously, domestic violence charges can carry significant consequences that have the potential to impact a person for the rest of their life. This can include penalties such as jail time and a criminal record. New Jersey’s strict laws regarding these actions are not to be taken advantage of. While this is true, there are people who do and falsely accuse others of domestic violence. Oftentimes, this is seen in situations where one party wishes to have power over another. These accusations can cause irreversible harm to a person’s future, which is why false accusations should never be made. If you have been falsely accused of domestic violence, contact an attorney to clear your name.

Contact Our Firm

Kevin T. Conway is an experienced Bergen County criminal attorney handling DUI, DWI, traffic violations, violent crimes, sex crimes, illegal gun possession, shoplifting, and juvenile crimes. Attorney Conway is also experienced in commercial law matters, zoning law, and estate planning. If you need an aggressive criminal lawyer, contact The Law Office of Kevin T. Conway for a free consultation.