Facing criminal charges for domestic abuse and/or violence is a distressing experience which can leave lasting impact on your future. Even if the gravity of the situation implies severe consequences, do not lose hope of saving your reputation.

If you, or a loved one, are under investigation or threat of arrest, our criminal defense attorneys at Eisenberg Law Offices, located in Madison, will build a powerful defense for your case. Having professional and experienced legal help on your side could result in lesser penalties, reduction of charges from a felony to a misdemeanor, possibly no jail time or even a case dismissal.

Broadly defined, domestic violence (also known as domestic/spousal abuse or family violence) is a single act or pattern of abusive behaviors by one or both partners in a domestic relationship. According to Wisconsin law, people have a domestic relationship if they are dating, married, divorced, roommates, former roommates, parents to a common child, expecting a child in common or are related by blood or marriage.

Domestic abuse is used for one purpose only: to exercise and maintain control over the other person. It can take many forms: intentional or threats of physical aggression, sexual abuse, emotional abuse, stalking, passive/covert abuse (e.g., neglect) or economic deprivation.

Legal Procedures

• Circumstances requiring arrest. The arrest for domestic violence or abuse is mandatory if there are reasonable grounds to believe that the person has committed domestic abuse and one or both of the following circumstances are met: (a) there are grounds for assuming that the domestic abuse is likely to continue, or (b) there is evidence of physical injury to the alleged victim. The officer has to make an arrest if the law enforcement agency receives the report about domestic violence within a certain amount of time after the incident occurs.  
• Law enforcement policies. Every Wisconsin police department is required to develop, adopt and implement written policies for arrest procedures in domestic abuse cases. Eisenberg Law Offices criminal defense attorneys will carefully investigate the specific procedures and make sure your case has not been mishandled.
• 72-hour no contact law. Upon making an arrest in a domestic abuse case, the law enforcement officer must offer the alleged victim the possibility of a 72-hour no contact order. Unless the alleged victim signs a waiver to reject it, the contact prohibition will ensure that the arrested person avoids the residence of the alleged victim and, if applicable, any premises temporarily occupied by the alleged victim.  

Eisenberg Law Offices criminal defense attorneys are firmly dedicated to defending the rights of their clients regardless of the gravity of their charges. Since domestic abuse charges are usually based on one person’s words, we understand that the other side of the story must also be heard.

Our domestic abuse lawyers will help you gather the necessary evidence and proof for your side of the story. If you, or a loved one, have been charged with domestic violence or abuse, speak with a skilled criminal defense attorney to learn how you can save your reputation and the avoid lasting impact of a criminal record. Call Eisenberg Law Offices for a free consultation.