Arrested For Domestic Violence in Hartford CT-What Are Your Options?

Have you been arrested for domestic violence? If you or a loved one has been accused of domestic violence in Hartford CT, you may wonder what would happen next. You may have a difficult time securing bail, depending on the type of violence and other issues at hand. Here’s a breakdown of the family violence process after someone is arrested for domestic violence. You will also learn about bail options to secure their jail release.

What is considered a domestic violence arrest in Hartford CT? Also referred to as family violence, Connecticut law defines domestic violence as, “family violence means an incident resulting in physical harm, bodily injury or assault, or an act of threatened violence that constitutes fear of imminent physical harm, bodily injury or assault, including, but not limited to, stalking or a pattern of threatening, between family or household members.” Under the above-mentioned law, a person could be charged and consequently arrested for domestic violence.

The law does not consider arguments or verbal abuse as domestic violence unless there is a clear likelihood that physical violence will happen. Also, the law does not consider parents’ or guardians’ acts in disciplining minor children as domestic violence unless abuse happens. As per Connecticut law, family members could include:

• Married couples
• People who have a child together
• People who live together
• People who were married
• People who are dating
• Persons related by blood
• Parents or their children

Criminal Offenses Related to Domestic Violence in Hartford CT

There is a host of criminal charges that can be brought on a person to be arrested for domestic violence. Depending on the actions, circumstances, and police investigation, the criminal domestic charges might include and warrant for someone to get arrested for domestic violence right on the spot.

Here are some typical domestic violence crimes for which the police must make a “mandatory arrest” if they believe there is sufficient probable cause.

• Assault
• Threatening
• Sex Assault
• Strangulation
• Stalking
• Violation of Court Orders

What is Assault?

Inflicting bodily harm to another person is referred to as assault. There are several degrees of assault that cover different levels of physical injury inflicted by another person. This may or may not involve the use of a weapon. Assault could be of the first, second, or third degree, or involve the assault of a pregnant woman resulting in the termination of pregnancy. It’s common to see persons arrested for domestic violence charged with assault of some degree.

What is Threatening?

There are two degrees of threatening, involving threats that intentionally cause a person to fear injury and may/may not include the use or threatened use of a firearm.

53a-62. classifies threatening in the second degree: Class A misdemeanor or class D felony. “(a)A person is guilty of threatening in the second degree when: (1) By physical threat, such person intentionally places or attempts to place another person in fear of imminent serious physical injury, (2) (A) such person threatens to commit any crime of violence with the intent to terrorize another person, or (B) such person threatens to commit such crime of violence in reckless disregard of the risk of causing such terror, or (3) violates subdivision (1) or (2).”

About Sexual Assault

Connecticut laws have various degrees of sexual assault. Whether you are married or in a dating relationship, forcing the partner to participate in sexual activity against their will is considered illegal. General Statutes § 53a-73a is the statute that defines the offense of sexual assault in the fourth degree. This statute makes it illegal to have sexual contact with another person without their consent.

What is Strangulation?

Strangulation is defined as the act of grabbing and holding a person by their throat in a way that impedes their ability to breathe. There are three degrees of strangulation.

What is Stalking?

There are three degrees of stalking that cover crimes in which a person follows another person and causes them to fear for their safety and the safety of others.

Arrest for Violation of a Court Order

If a judge puts a criminal protective order or civil restraining order in place to keep a person safe, it is illegal for the abuser to violate it. Some types of violations are treated as contempt of the court, which implies the disobedience of an order of a court and can affect your current case negatively. Other offenses are considered criminal violations and may result in the re-arrest of the offender. Violating court orders may result in higher bail amounts each time the violation happens. Sometimes judges may consider this person a danger to the victim and society and could deny bail altogether.

What Is the Bail Amount for Domestic Violence Charges in Hartford CT?

After a person is arrested for domestic violence crimes in Hartford CT, the arresting agency or court will set the bail amount. In case you wish to post bail, you may be allowed to pay the bail and get released. The amount will depend primarily on the nature of the crime and the likelihood of appearing for the scheduled court hearings. The judge will also take into account other factors such as your criminal history, occupation, and ties to the community.

If you have been charged with a misdemeanor domestic violence crime, the amount would be relatively low. 3-D Bail Bonds’ experienced agents have seen bail as low as a promise to appear or $5000. However, if you have been charged with a felony crime, the amount can be substantially higher and may go up to $50,000 and more depending on the seriousness of the accusation. The bail amount can be even higher if you have violated a restraining order or have caused serious harm to the victim.

How to Pay Bail for Domestic Violence in Hartford CT?

When a loved one is arrested for domestic violence, there are many options to regain freedom. You can pay the full bail amount in cash to the court or pay the 10% option on bonds of $20,000 or less. Alternatively, you can pay the bond through a bail company. All bail options require defendants to appear in court as mandated by the judge and must comply with conditions of release.

One of the most affordable ways to pay bail for domestic violence is by using a bail bondsman in Hartford, CT. By using the services of a surety bondsman through an agency, defendants only pay a fee for the service, not the full bail amount.

With bail bond services, through 3-D Bail Bonds you can pay as little as 3 percent of the bond amount and use our payment plans for the fee balance. While bail conditions include having cosigners’ signatures and the promise to appear at all court hearings, this option also allows the accused party to use bail resources with access to a network of lawyers.

When someone is arrested for domestic violence in Hartford, getting bailed out is critical to avoid self-incrimination and a possible guilty verdict. We specialize in helping residents accused and arrested for domestic violence in Hartford, and throughout the state of Connecticut.