A Criminal Defense Attorney’s Perspective on Anger Issues and Domestic Violence.
In criminal law, the label domestic violence covers a whole host of conduct and behaviors in close relationships. That being said, the term domestic violence is traditionally associated with the Duluth Model of Domestic Violence, which is a pattern and cycle of violence perpetrated by a male which is used to control and dominate their female partner. We have seen prosecuting attorneys and some criminal defense attorneys, for that matter, confuse this type of behavior with cases that are really about anger issues or something else altogether. This can throw off the entire negotiation process with the prosecuting attorney, increase the chances of mismanaging a case in negotiations or trial and add further confusion to a client’s life at a time when clarity and stress reduction is at a premium. Anger or stress issues may cross over with power and control issues, but competent professional evaluators and counselors do not view the two as the same.
With men or women, poorly managed anger issues almost always manifest themselves in either aggressive or passive aggressive behaviors. That being said, warning signs can manifest themselves in a variety of ways: trouble and conflict at work, increased irritation and shortness with others, road rage, other forms of violence, shortness and yelling with children and friends, substance use hedging on abuse or outright abuse and, of course, just walking around being angry and unhappy. The impact of these anger issues can mimic domestic violence but the real issues behind the criminal conduct aren’t power or control, it is something else. As a very effective counselor friend once said: anger is the secondary emotion, the primary underlying feeling that is driving it is something else. The criminal defense lawyers | attorneys in our office have spent years identifying issues, working with their clients and connecting clients with reputable evaluations and professionals. As a result, despite our adversarial relationship with them, we have an excellent reputation with prosecuting attorneys and certainly the courts. We also have years of experience taking apart false accusations in general including those of domestic violence as well as helping identify and eventually rectifying vindictive and dysfunctional behavior driven by an alleged victim.
Remember, if you are charged with a crime, it is a clear warning that something needs to change, even in the case of a false accusation. What needs to be done and how one should go about doing this while minimizing the criminal consequences is why criminal defense lawyers | attorneys are also called counselors at law. Our criminal defense lawyers know that criminal cases are rarely as simple as the police reports claim and our clients hire us to make sure their rights are protected. Our firm has a unique blend of courtroom experience, skills, knowledge and temperament. Consultations are free but a poor choice in counsel is not. The first step is an appointment. Call us at 206-708-7852.
