Domestic Assault Attorney In Bloomington, MN
If you find yourself facing charges of domestic assault or violence in Minneapolis, St. Paul, Bloomington, or any other region of the Twin Cities area, the stakes are high, as your very future is on the line. These charges are some of the most complicated, personal, and emotionally charged, and you could face arrest, mugshots, and mandatory court appearances. Don’t wait to seek legal representation. A Bloomington domestic assault lawyer can help.
At Santana Law, we are passionate about serving clients all over the Twin Cities metro area. Fluent in Spanish, our attorney is here to serve clients from all backgrounds and histories, from the quiet areas near Bush Lake to downtown Minneapolis. As a former prosecutor, our founding attorney understands how the court systems work in Hennepin County, Ramsey County, and Dakota County. When you choose Santana Law, you choose honest, trustworthy, and reliable counsel.
Defining Domestic Assault in Bloomington and the Twin Cities
In Minnesota, assault is defined as an act that is intended to cause fear or immediate bodily harm or death to another individual or is attempting an actual infliction of harm and hurt to another person. Domestic assault happens when one member of a family or someone in a domestic relationship harms another member of their household. This typically includes relationships such as the following:
- Currently married spouses or former spouses
- Parents and their children
- Individuals who are related to one another through blood
- A man and a woman if that woman is pregnant with the alleged child of the man
- Individuals who are involved in substantial romantic or sexual relationships
- Individuals who are currently living together or have lived together in the past
- Individuals who share a common child, regardless of whether or not they are married or have lived together at any time in the past
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Penalties for Domestic Assault or Violence
If the individual who is charged with domestic violence or assault is charged with this crime for the first time and has had no previous related offenses convicted on their record, their charge will most likely be classified as a misdemeanor. However, it can also be charged as a gross misdemeanor if the individual allegedly guilty has been convicted of a related offense in the last 10 years. The penalties for these two charges can include the following:
- Standard misdemeanor domestic assault. This charge can occur when someone is faced with allegations of domestic assault and, when convicted, can face up to 90 days of prison time, a fine of up to $1,000, or both.
- Gross misdemeanor domestic assault. This charge can arise when an individual is charged with domestic assault within 10 years of a similar charge. For these individuals, they can be sentenced to no more than 364 days of jail, a fine of not more than $3,000, or a combination of both.
- A domestic assault charge may also be elevated to a felony if it involves substantial bodily harm, use of a weapon, or repeated prior convictions, carrying significantly harsher penalties, including multi-year prison sentences.
Regardless of the type of misdemeanor charge you are facing, there are several personal implications a successful conviction could carry. These can affect both your personal and professional life and can include:
- Loss of employment. If you are convicted of a domestic assault or violence charge in Bloomington, an employer may choose to terminate or deny you future employment. This can also severely impact your ability to find any kind of work after you suffer the conviction.
- Housing. Finding affordable housing in the Twin Cities area can be tricky, and the difficulties you face can only increase if you are convicted of domestic assault. Many applications for housing opportunities will require you to disclose any assault-related convictions. These disclosures can be used against you to deny you housing.
- Firearms. In Minnesota, you cannot own a handgun or any firearm if you have been convicted of domestic assault or violence. Minnesota boasts a huge population of hunters, and a domestic assault or violence conviction can mean the end of your hunting activities for the rest of your life.
- Professional licensing. If you are employed in a field like daycare, teaching, nursing, healthcare, or the nursing or medical field and are convicted of domestic assault or violence in Bloomington, you could face the revocation of your professional licenses, and your career can come to an abrupt end.
- Immigration status. If you are currently living in Minnesota as an immigrant or an individual seeking permanent United States citizenship, being convicted of a domestic assault or violence charge can result in deportation or a denial of citizenship.
Common Defenses for Charges of Domestic Assault or Violence
When you face a domestic assault or violence charge in Bloomington, your rights are in danger. To safeguard your rights, you and your attorney can work on your Twin Cities domestic violence defense strategy to ensure your rights and freedoms are as protected as possible.
When we work to create the correct strategy in your case, we review your charges and evaluate factors such as the original investigation involved in your charge, the statements from witnesses, and other forms of evidence.
The most common defenses for these charges can include the following:
- Having an alibi
- Suffering a mistaken identity
- Being the victim of false allegations, especially during a divorce or paternity case
- Acting in self-defense
- Acting in defense of another individual
- Acting in defense of a property belonging to you or another person
- A lack of evidence in your case
- The fact that the alleged victim consented to the risk of harm
- That you had no intent of causing reasonable fear, physical bodily harm, or death
Don’t Let a Domestic Assault Allegation Ruin Your Life: Contact Santana Law Today
If you have recently been charged with assaulting a family member, significant other, or a former romantic partner in the Twin Cities, Santana Law is here for you. Whether you are dealing with the fallout of a misunderstanding near Normandale Lake or navigating legal proceedings at the Hennepin County Government Center, we are here to stand by your side and fight for the protection of your rights and freedoms. Contact us today to schedule an initial consultation.
Know the Law: Domestic Assault in Bloomington and Hennepin County
Bloomington, Minnesota, falls under the jurisdiction of the Hennepin County District Court for domestic assault cases. Under Minnesota Statute § 609.2242, domestic assault is defined as either intentionally inflicting bodily harm or acting with intent to cause immediate fear in a family or household member .
“Family or household members” cover a broad range of relationships, including spouses, cohabitants, former partners, and those sharing children. These cases often involve no-contact orders, firearm restrictions, and potential immigration consequences, even at the misdemeanor level.
Penalties escalate with prior convictions: a first-time offense carries up to 90 days in jail or a $1,000 fine; a second offense within ten years becomes a gross misdemeanor with up to 364 days in jail or a $3,000 fine; and three domestic offenses in that period may result in felony charges, punishable by up to five years in prison and a $10,000 fine.
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At Santana Law, PLLC, Ronnie Santana understands the complexities of criminal and family law. Contact Us for a Free Consultation | (763-726-8262)
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