All one has to do is look at the daily news to get the feeling that domestic violence offenses are on the rise. Take a look at this post from a few weeks back where an Indy Post article showed a marked increase in domestic assaults since last year. Just in the past week we have lately seen several higher profile cases in the local news.
Across the country links are being drawn between higher incidence of domestic violence and the troubled economy. Whether or not this is the case can’t really be proven but what is a fact is the recent cases seem particularly heinous.
Making headlines across the country was this case concerning Brownsburg resident Joseph Warnock, who entered the home of his estranged wife and brutally killed her while the couple’s children hid in the closet. He has pled not guilty to the attack and is currently being held without bond in the Hendricks County jail.
Earlier this month, another innocent child witnessed the brutal murder of his mother when his father, Michael Stayer, allegedly beat her severely in their Whitestown home. Beth Stayer died the following day from her injuries. Stayer is being held in the Boone County jail without bond where he faces charges of murder, aggravated battery, battery involving serious injury, and domestic battery.
A slightly different case involves the shooting death of a man by his wife. Dottie Andrews is accused of shooting her husband and dog, and setting the home on fire before unsuccessfully trying to shoot herself and subsequently succumbing to smoke inhalation. She faces charges of murder, arson, and burglary in Brown County.
It’s highly unusual for domestic battery cases to turn this ugly, but it does happen. High profile cases like these can tend to put a spotlight on even the most minor of domestic battery charges. When charged with a domestic offense you will feel that spotlight, and you may rightly have concerns about your ability to get a fair hearing in court.
When facing domestic battery charges or any criminal charge, an experienced defense attorney should be there to ensure you are treated correctly and your rights are honored while you are caught up in the court system.
You can believe that with any domestic violence or abuse related accusation, the prosecutors and the courts are not going to just give you the benefit of the doubt. A strong defense attorney can be critical to the fair shake you deserve. You are innocent until proven guilty.
Call us to find out what we can do you protect your legal rights.