It is clear that domestic violence now-a-days is a real live wire, a real hot button. Some would even say we as a nation have seemingly moved beyond the need for a stereotypical victim; the need for bruising and blood, and a horrifying cry for help emblazoned on a 911 tape for all to hear. Not that that was ever really required, but to the uneducated (and by that we mean unfamiliar with the ‘actual’ DV laws in Washington) that is what is envisioned when the general public thinks of ‘domestic violence’.
As evidenced by the mounting campaigns on TV, via the news and by word-of-mouth, significant steps are being taken to educate about and prevent assaultive behavior, and to try more domestic violence cases in our criminal courts. This is none more evident than the recent scandals in the NFL involving multiple players and their loved ones. As everyone knows by now the NFL Commissioner, Roger Goodell, aggressively issued more stringent standards for dealing with alleged sexual assaults and domestic violence by the league’s players. Recently the changes were unanimously approved by the NFL owners. The changes did not come easy, however, and required a massive public outcry that the league was too soft on such conduct.
The court’s, like the NFL and the MLB, are now fully aware that citizens, like fans, are unwilling to support behavior that on any level is violent or degrading to another person. It is only reasonable to suspect that both judges and prosecutors are taking a more proactive role against domestic violence in light of the fact that the public is increasingly more aware of the scope of domestic violence and what the law defines domestic violence to be.
The significance of recent domestic violence events across the nation, and the increased ‘public awareness’, should not be underplayed or discounted. It has sparked a real and tangible change in cultural norms, and a movement of institutions to reform themselves.
So now more than ever folks must be aware that although there most definitely are cases that have bruising, blood and even a horrific 911 call, the bulk of the cases in our court system are cases involving a push, a slap, a punch to the wall or even a simple finger to the chest – a chest poke. The ones that make the news, the ones that are ‘juicy’ tabloid stuff, the so called ‘perfect victim’ or the ‘poster child for domestic violence’ are the exception, not the norm in our courts, and everyone (and we do mean everyone) should be quite clear on this fact now that there has been an ‘awakening’ due to the recent events and media hype over the issue. Domestic violence is now very much front and center, and the definition of the act is quite broad and all encompassing.
If arrested for a domestic violence it is imperative that you immediately contact a Seattle domestic violence attorney to protect your rights and interests. Even the seemingly ‘silly’ case is now taken extremely seriously, and the government will proceed on the case, especially in light of the recent hype given to the issue. The Seattle domestic violence attorneys that make up the criminal defense team of SQ Attorneys are highly qualified and reputable Seattle domestic violence lawyers that are dedicated to providing top notch, aggressive representation for those arrested for crime all across Western Washington and the Greater Puget Sound region. The team creates success by working with law enforcement and the prosecuting attorney’s office to ensure that all facts and circumstances related to the criminal allegations are considered in creating the fairest, most equitable and just resolution possible in light of all the surrounding circumstances of the given case. So, whether cited for assault, property destruction or some other domestic violence related crime, protect yourself … call SQ Attorneys immediately.
