Tucson Domestic Violence Charges
In Arizona, “domestic violence” is a label that is attached to another offense when a domestic relationship exists between the parties. It doesn’t necessarily mean that “violence” was involved. Elias Damianakos defends against all Tucson domestic violence charges such as assault, disorderly conduct, criminal damage, and interference with judicial proceedings.
The “domestic violence label” is applied in the following relationships:
- marriage or prior marriage
- currently or prior dating relationship
- lived together now or in the past
- child in common, or pregnant
- related by blood to defendant or defendant’s spouse
- related as in-law (e.g., parent in-law, brother/sister in-law)
- step-parent or step-child
For more details on the relationships covered by domestic violence, see A.R.S. § 13-3601(A).
Misdemeanor Domestic Violence Charges
The “domestic violence” label can be attached to any number of offenses under Arizona law, and the offense conduct does not necessarily have to include “violent” conduct. Some of the more common misdemeanor offenses the domestic violence label can be attached to are:
- A.R.S. § 13-2904 – domestic violence threats and intimidation
- A.R.S. § 13-1203 – domestic violence assault
- A.R.S. § 13-1303 – domestic violence unlawful imprisonment
- A.R.S. § 13-1504 – domestic violence criminal trespass
- A.R.S. § 13-1602 – domestic violence criminal damage
- A.R.S. § 13-2810 – domestic violence interference with judicial proceedings
- A.R.S. § 13-2904 – domestic violence disorderly conduct
- A.R.S. § 13-2916 – domestic violence use of electronic communication to terrify or harass
In the Pima County area, misdemeanor domestic violence charges are usually brought in Tucson City Court, Pima County Justice Court, Marana Municipal Court, Sahuarita Municipal Court.
Felony Domestic Violence Charges
Felony domestic violence charges are extremely serious. They carry the potential of a prison sentence under Arizona law. Some of the offenses that are charged as felonies are as follows:
- A.R.S. § 13-1201 – domestic violence endangerment
- A.R.S. § 13-1204 – domestic violence aggravated assault
- A.R.S. § 13-1302 – domestic violence custodial interference
- A.R.S. § 13-1304 – domestic violence kidnapping
- A.R.S. § 13-2921 – domestic violence harassment
- A.R.S. § 13-2921.01 – domestic violence aggravated harassment
- A.R.S. § 13-2923 – domestic violence stalking
- A.R.S. § 13-3019 – domestic violence surreptitious recording
- A.R.S. § 13-3623 – domestic violence child abuse
- A.R.S. § 13-3623– domestic violence elder abuse
Aggravated Domestic Violence
Under A.R.S. § 13-3601.02, a person may be charged with aggravated domestic violence if within a period of 7 years, the person commits or is convicted of a third or more violation of domestic violence. Aggravated domestic violence is a class 5 felony.
Felony domestic violence charges are always brought in Pima County Superior Court, if the incident occurred in Pima County. It should be noted that some of the above listed offenses may be filed as misdemeanors, and some misdemeanors may be filed as felonies.
