Stories of physical abuse and violence populate the media every single day. However, it can be a much different feeling when you are the victim in such an offense. Both men and women have found themselves as victims in these types of cases. Most people assume that it doesn’t take much to punish a perpetrator and put them behind bars. Unfortunately, getting a conviction for such a crime can be more difficult than some victims might think.
In order to increase the chances of having a perpetrator sentenced and put behind bars a victim must act swiftly. Unfortunately, a number of victims fail to report these types of crimes immediately after they happen. Some people even wait months and even years before bringing an offense to light. Understand that there’s such a thing as a statute of limitation, and such a law can limit a victim’s ability to pursue charges. Consult attorneys for Domestic Violence in Smithtown to determine your state’s statute of limitation laws.
More people should also understand that domestic violence cases don’t always reach the criminal court system. This is often due to a number of factors that could potentially derail an alleged offense from ever truly gaining any traction. Only a small percentage of domestic violence cases actually lead to arrests and only a small percentage of those arrested will ever spend time in prison. Victims should work closely with an attorney for Domestic Violence in Smithtown in order to make sure that they get their day in court.
Lastly, many victims are surprised to find out how much burden the courts will place on them after such an incident. Unfortunately, it isn’t up to a defendant to prove that they didn’t commit a crime. The prosecution has to prove beyond a reasonable doubt that the alleged offender is guilty. If the prosecution fails to do so, the alleged perpetrator could potentially go free.
Speak with Todd J. Zimmer & Associates for more information about domestic violence laws in your state. Again, statute of limitation laws vary from state to state and could derail a case from ever setting foot in court. Also, it’s important to understand just how difficult it is for these cases to make it to trial. And finally victims and their attorneys will need to build a solid case in order to get a conviction.
