DOMESTIC ASSAULT

Jefferson County Missouri Domestic Assault Lawyer

Domestic Assault Offenses

Domestic violence charges are often based on one person’s word, perception, or description of an event in which they were the victim. Or they could rest on the physical injuries of one party without much regard for the injuries of the other party. Also, the decision to file charges may simply be based on what the police saw when they arrived, even though it was likely after the event. The ugly truth is that one party is very likely going to be arrested and charged even if both were equal participants.


If you are found guilty of domestic violence you could face anywhere from probation to life in prison, depending on the severity of the circumstances surrounding the offense. If you are going through a divorce, a domestic violence conviction will undoubtedly negatively impact your child custody case, especially if there are children involved in the situation. Moreover, your ex-spouse will likely be able to use this to either prevent you or make it extremely difficult for you to see your children. Also many domestic violence situations also result in one party filing for an Order of Protection against the other, which further complicates matters.

A conviction of domestic violence, once entered, will stay on your record for life. We have an extensive history of both prosecuting and defending domestic violence cases so we can easily assess what the prosecution is likely to do. We know how to defend your rights and safeguard your future. We will exhaust all resources in order to obtain a favorable outcome for you. Whatever actually occurred, whether it was your fault or not, you still have rights.


Another serious consequence of a domestic violence conviction is its effect on your ability to own firearms. Federal law prohibits anyone convicted of domestic violence offense from owning a firearm. In addition, it is a federal offense for a person subject to a domestic violence protective order to possess a firearm. There are ways to avoid a conviction under Missouri law and avoid these consequences.

Missouri Domestic Assault Offenses

  • Domestic Assault, First Degree

    A person commits the offense of domestic assault in the first degree if he or she attempts to kill or knowingly causes or attempts to cause serious physical injury to a domestic victim.


    The offense of domestic assault in the first degree is a class B felony unless in the course thereof the person inflicts serious physical injury on the victim, in which case it is a class A felony.

  • Domestic Assault, Second Degree

    A person commits the offense of domestic assault in the second degree if the act involves a domestic victim, and he or she: (1) Knowingly causes physical injury to such domestic victim by any means, including but not limited to, use of a deadly weapon or dangerous instrument, or by choking or strangulation; or (2) Recklessly causes serious physical injury to such domestic victim; or (3) Recklessly causes physical injury to such domestic victim by means of any deadly weapon.


    The offense of domestic assault in the second degree is a class D felony.

  • Domestic Assault, Third Degree

    A person commits the offense of domestic assault in the third degree if he or she attempts to cause physical injury or knowingly causes physical pain or illness to a domestic victim.


    The offense of domestic assault in the third degree is a class E felony.

  • Domestic Assault, Fourth Degree

    A person commits the offense of domestic assault in the fourth degree if the act involves a domestic victim, and: (1) The person attempts to cause or recklessly causes physical injury, physical pain, or illness to such domestic victim; (2) With criminal negligence the person causes physical injury to such domestic victim by means of a deadly weapon or dangerous instrument; (3) The person purposely places such domestic victim in apprehension of immediate physical injury by any means; (4) The person recklessly engages in conduct which creates a substantial risk of death or serious physical injury to such domestic victim; (5) The person knowingly causes physical contact with such domestic victim knowing he or she will regard the contact as offensive; or (6) The person knowingly attempts to cause or causes the isolation of such domestic victim by unreasonably and substantially restricting or limiting his or her access to other persons, telecommunication devices or transportation for the purpose of isolation.


    The offense of domestic assault in the fourth degree is a class A misdemeanor, unless the person has previously been found guilty of the offense of assault of a domestic victim two or more times, in which case it is a class E felony.

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If you are facing domestic assault charges in Jefferson County, St. Francois County, St. Louis County, Ste. Genevieve County, Washington County or Franklin County Missouri, including the cities of Arnold, Barnhart, Bloomsdale, Byrnes Mill, Cedar Hill, Crystal City, Desloge, DeSoto, Dittmer, Eureka, Farmington, Fenton, Festus, Fredericktown, French Village, Herculaneum, High Ridge, Hillsboro, Horine, House Springs, Imperial, Kimmswick, Mapaville, Mine La Motte, Mineral Point, Morse Mill, Olympian Village, Park Hills, Perryville, Pevely, Potosi, Ste. Genevieve, or Valles Mines, exercise your right to remain silent and your right to speak to an attorney immediately and contact the Lednick Law Firm to get a former Jefferson County Assistant Prosecuting Attorney on your side. Contact us at (636) 638-2150 for a free consultation.

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