Disputes can arise in any Michigan relationship. Often, these disputes wind up being nothing more than a verbal disagreement that settles over time or leaves individuals feeling sour about one another. In other instances, though, these arguments go beyond words, and individuals are left injured. When this happens, allegations may fly, leaving an individual accused of criminal wrongdoing. This happened recently in Kalamazoo. Police responded to a residence to find a woman who had been shot. According to her, her boyfriend had assaulted her and then opened fire on her.
Domestic violence is a growing concern across Michigan. According to one study, there are more than 100,000 cases a year.
The high number of domestic violence cases has law enforcement agencies and community organizations looking for ways to put it to a stop. While these efforts are admirable, the fact remains that those who are accused of domestic violence are innocent until proven guilty in a court of law. This can be difficult for individuals embroiled in such an emotional situation to realize.
When domestic disputes arise and becomes heated, all parties to the dispute become physical. But, simply because one individual suffers more significant injuries does not necessarily mean that he or she was the victim of domestic violence. For example, that injured individual could have been the aggressor and only injured when the other person defended him or herself.
Many times, these situations become a “he said, she said” scenario. Nonetheless, when criminal charges are levied, such bickering may not be enough to protect one’s innocence. Instead, an accused individual may want to try to gather physical evidence, witnesses and legal arguments to support his or her position. An experienced Kalamazoo criminal defense attorney may be helpful with this process and when it comes to fighting for an accused individual’s legal rights.
Source: Western Herald, “Domestic violence in Kalamazoo,” Caleb Foerg & Alex Farr, March 2, 2016
