Penalties For Domestic Violence in Connecticut

1. Penalties For Domestic Violence in Connecticut

2. Domestic Violence • Under Connecticut laws, family violence, also known as domestic violence is defined as an act between family or household members that results in physical harm, bodily injury, or assault; or a threat of violence between family or household members that causes fear of imminent physical harm, bodily injury, or assault. (Conn. Gen. Stat. § 46b-38a (1))

3. Domestic Violence Penalties

4. Protective Order • In Connecticut, the victim of domestic violence may request a Protective Order from a judge to protect the victim from threats, harassment, or injury. • A protective order may order the defendant to refrain from imposing any restraint on the person or liberty of the victim; threatening, harassing, assaulting, molesting, or sexually assaulting the victim, and entering the family dwelling or the victim’s dwelling.

5. Violation of Protective Order • The order must be made a condition of the defendant’s bail or release. • Violation of a protective order is a class A misdemeanor, punishable by up to a year in prison, a $1,000 fine, or both (CGS § 53a-110b). • Entering or remaining on property in violation of the order constitutes criminal trespass in the first degree, which is also a class A misdemeanor, which carries up to a year in prison and a $2,000 fine.

6. Civil Restraining Order • When a protective order has not been issued, then the family or household member who has been subjected to a continuous threat of physical pain or injury must file an application for Civil Restraining Order in the Superior Court. • The judge may impose the same conditions like a protective order to protect the family or household member, and such orders can remain in effect for up to six months.

7. Violation of Civil Restraining Order • In this case, violation of the order constitutes criminal trespass in the first degree, a class A misdemeanor, punishable by up to a year in prison, a $1,000 fine, or both.

8. Standing Criminal Protective Order • A court may also issue a standing criminal protective order for any offense constituting a family violence crime or the conspiracy to commit such a crime. • They are issued at the time of arraignment during a criminal proceeding. • They provide similar protection to the civil restraining order, but can only be made following an arrest/arraignment.

9. Violation of Standing Criminal Restraining Order • They typically remain in effect until the end of the criminal case. • Violation of a standing criminal restraining order is a class D felony that is punishable by one to five years imprisonment, up to a $1,000 fine, or both (CGS § 53a-110c).

10. Connecticut Domestic Violence Attorney • If you are accused of violating a protective/restraining order, then you need to hire an experienced Bridgeport domestic violence attorney. • Bridgeport criminal defense attorney George W. Ganim Jr. fights on your behalf. • He and his team will work diligently to protect your rights and obtain the best possible outcome.

11. Contact Us: George W. Ganim, Jr. Domestic Violence Attorney, Connecticut Ph. No.: 203-713-8383, 877-828-4279 Fax: 203-713-8388 E-mail: george@attorneyganim.com www.attorneyganim.com