Domestic Violence and the Holidays

While the holidays generally seem like a time to relax and enjoy the company of friends and family, too often the stress of jam-packed and busy days like these can lead to household tensions that can have disastrous consequences. Too often we see a spike in Domestic Violence cases where spouses who are already under a financial stress seem to get angrier at each other while trying to cope with life, financial, and familial challenges.

While typically Domestic Violence involves Assault, Battery, Harassment, Obstruction of Phone Service, Violation of Restraining Orders, Stalking or other similar actions, it is important to remember that Domestic Violence does not necessarily mean that you beat your spouse.

A person may get frustrated or mad at their domestic partner and break the Domestic Partner's property or even property that you own jointly like a stereo or phone. In this situation you may be charged with Criminal Mischief, or Damage to Property and both these can be considered Domestic Violence.

Maybe the crime is economic where one partner takes money from another's account without permission. In those circumstances you can be charged with all kinds of crimes from Fraud, to Forgery, Theft, ID Theft, and you guessed it, these can also be charged as acts of Domestic Violence.

Just remember, any crime where the victim is considered your Domestic Partner is labeled as Domestic Violence by the state of Colorado and involves immediate arrest and transport to jail with no bond set until you are brought before a judge or magistrate. This can mean that if you arrested on a Friday night, you may spend the weekend in jail before a bond is set on Monday.

These are stressful times and the holidays, our jobs, our kids' expectations of holiday presents and our families in general can bring undesired pressures to our current lives. Make sure you talk things through to the extent that you can and try to resolve your matters rationally before law enforcement gets involved and settles the matter for you with an arrest.

While we hope you benefit from the information we posted above, it is important to note that we always suggest you contact an attorney to advise you and walk you through the legal process so that you can achieve the best possible result.

This blog was posted by Shazam Kianpour, the owner and managing partner at Shazam Kianpour & Associates, P.C. You may contact him directly at our law firm at 303-825-1075 or at http://www.shazamlaw.com/