New Jersey Domestic Violence Lawyers

Compassionate Lawyers Fight to Protect Clients’ Rights in New Jersey Domestic Violence Matters

Domestic violence is taken very seriously in New Jersey. The state’s Prevention of Domestic Violence Act lists various criminal offenses that are deemed to be an act of domestic violence when committed against certain household or family members. Committing an act of domestic violence can not only result in criminal charges, but under the PDVA the victim can seek a restraining order against his or her abuser, which can require the abuser to move out of a home shared the victim, refrain from contacting the victim or other family members, or surrender firearms to the court.

Whether you have been a victim of domestic violence or you have been accused of committing an act of domestic violence, you need to move quickly to protect yourself and your rights. Domestic violence cases move incredibly quickly, so you need legal representation that will hit the ground running in your case to build a legal strategy to protect your rights and interests. Contact Team Law today to schedule a confidential case evaluation to discuss your legal rights and options in your New Jersey domestic violence matter.

Types of Domestic Violence in New Jersey

New Jersey law defines domestic violence as committing one or more enumerated criminal offenses against a person who is entitled to protection under the state’s Prevention of Domestic Violence Act. Under the Act, the offenses that can constitute domestic violence include:

• Homicide
• Assault
• Terroristic threats, or a threat to commit a violent crime against another person and the victim reasonably believes the abuser has the ability to carry out the threat
• Stalking, which involves staring at or following a person with the intent to annoy or alarm that person
• Kidnapping, or the taking of a victim from one location and transporting him or her to another location
• Criminal restraint, or the keeping of a victim in a place that puts the victim at risk of serious bodily injury
• False imprisonment, or the keeping of a victim in a place the victim does wish to be, and refusing to let the victim leave; unlike criminal restraint, there is no requirement that the victim be at risk of serious bodily injury
• Criminal coercion, or threatening someone to force them to undertake an act or omission 
• Sexual assault
• Criminal sexual contact, or the use of force or coercion to induce the victim to consent to sexual contact
• Lewdness
• Robbery, or theft via use or threat of force
• Criminal mischief, or the damaging, tampering, or destruction of property owned solely by the victim
• Criminal trespass, or the entering of a place without permission
• Burglary, or the entering of a dwelling with intent to commit a crime therein
• Harassment, or the making of communications with the intent to annoy, alarm, or offend the other person (making communications online with the intent to annoy, alarm, or offend can constitute the separate offense of cyber-harassment)
• Contempt of a prior restraining order

Finally, domestic violence can occur if someone commits any crime against a victim that involves a risk of death or serious bodily injury — examples include arson or elder neglect.

Team Law Can Help You With Your Domestic Violence Case in New Jersey

Whether you are filing a domestic violence complaint or defending against an allegation of domestic violence, you need a dedicated attorney who will work hard to protect your rights. As a victim of domestic violence, it is critical that you obtain a restraining order if it is necessary to protect yourself from future abuse. If you’ve been accused of domestic violence, having a restraining order placed against you can seriously impact your life, your relationships, and your reputation, and even place your rights in other family law matters, such as equitable distribution, alimony, or child custody at risk. 

Our attorneys can help you move to quickly deal with domestic violence and advocate for your rights before the court. We can help you understand your options in your case, and we will take the time to get to know your concerns and goals so that we can help you with a legal plan and strategy that is best for you. Don’t delay getting the legal assistance you need; every moment you wait can lead to the loss of important rights and options.

Contact Team Law to Schedule a confidential Case Review to Learn More About How We Can Help in Your Domestic Violence Matter

If you are involved in a domestic violence matter in New Jersey, you need dedicated, skilled legal representation to help protect your legal rights and interests. Don’t leave the outcome of your domestic violence case to fate. Schedule a confidential consultation with the attorneys of Team Law today to learn more about your legal rights and options and about how our experienced attorneys can help you get you a favorable outcome in your case.

Frequently Asked Questions about Domestic Violence in New Jersey