Domestic Violence

Delaware Domestic Violence Defense Attorney

Criminal cases alleging Domestic Violence are aggressively prosecuted in Delaware.  Any behavior by one person in a relationship which is intended to hurt, frighten or dominate other(s) in the relationship is generally considered Domestic Violence.  More specifically, Domestic Violence is physical violence, threatened violence, and other forms of abuse which occurs in the following relationships:

  • Families (parent-child, siblings, etc)

  • Married or formerly married couples

  • Cohabiting couples where a child resides in the residence

  • Persons who have a child or children in common

  • Persons in a dating or in a formerly dating relationship

Some examples of domestic violence include:

  • Assault

  • Child Abuse

  • Physical Assault or Abuse

  • Sexual Abuse

  • Verbal Abuse

  • Acts of Intimidation

  • Repeated/Unwanted Phone Calls

  • Stalking

  • Threatening words or actions

Domestic Violence charges may be filed as misdemeanors or felonies depending upon the seriousness of the case.  Criminal acts causing severe injuries, or injuries caused by weapons, will most likely be charged as a felony.  

John Deckers routinely represents individuals ACCUSED OF the following crimes: 

  • Assault

  • Child Abuse

  • Endangering the Welfare of a Child

  • Offensive Touching

  • Harassment

  • Menacing

  • Reckless Endangering

  • Stalking

  • Terroristic Threatening

Domestic Violence cases are treated differently than other criminal cases. The State of Delaware Attorney General's Office has a designated Domestic Violence Unit (staffed with specially trained prosecutors and social workers) who stand ready to aggressively prosecute anyone charged with acts of Domestic Violence.  If you have a prior criminal record of domestic violence, the police and prosecutors will be even more aggressive and relentless.

“If you are convicted of a crime of domestic violence, either by a guilty plea or a verdict following a trial, the court may impose a period of incarceration, probation, “no contact” orders, a fine and restitution. You will also be required to participate in one or more of the following treatment programs: domestic violence counseling, anger management classes, mental health and/or substance abuse treatment programs.”

In Delaware, a domestic violence conviction stays on a person’s record for life, with few exceptions.  In addition, a domestic violence conviction could result in the loss of the right to own or possess a firearm or other deadly weapons.  Depending upon the nature of the case, some individuals are placed on Delaware’s Child Protection Registry, which may result in the loss of employment in the health care, child care, or educational fields.

If you or someone you know is facing domestic violence charges, call Delaware Criminal Defense Lawyer John Deckers at (302) 656-9850.  John and his staff will provide you with the aggressive, professional legal services you need and deserve.  John has an outstanding record of obtaining “not guilty” verdicts, dismissed charges, alternative sentences, reduced sentences and expunged criminal arrest records for his clients.