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In North Carolina a person can be charged with a domestic violence offense if he is accused of physically beating or assaulting his  girlfriend, wife or children. Statistically more men are charged with a domestic violence offense, but women can also be charged with a domestic violence offense.
It is important to know that in North Carolina a victim of a domestic violence crime does not have the authority to simply drop the charges against the accused. Only the District Attorney's office has that power. The District Attorney's office may pursue a prosecution for a domestic violence offense despite the fact the couple has reconciled.
Common Domestic Violence offenses in North Carolina include:
- Assault on a Female: According to North Carolina law a person is guilty of this offense if he is a male at least 18 years of age and commits an assault on a female. Assault on a female is a Class A1 misdemeanor.
- Stalking: Under North Carolina law a person commits the offense of stalking if he or she willfully and on more than one occasion follows or is in the presence of another person without legal purpose with the intent to cause emotional distress or death or bodily injury. Stalking is a Class 1 misdemeanor for the first offense. If a person is convicted of stalking for the second time within a five year period of the first offense, this second conviction can be punishable as a Class I felony.
- Violation of Domestic Violence Protective Order: In North Carolina a person is guilty of this offense if he or she knowingly violates the terms of a valid domestic violence protective order. Violation of a Domestic Violence Protective Order is a Class A1 misdemeanor.
- Child Abuse: Generally a Child Abuse offense is when a person or parent providing care or supervision to a child under the age of 16, inflicts bodily injury on that child or allows physically injury to be inflicted on the child. The punishment for a child abuse charge depends on the severity of the bodily injury. Child Abuse charges range from a Class 1 misdemeanor to a Class C Felony.
- Contributing to the Delinquency of a Juvenile: According to North Carolina law, a person is guilty of this offense is he or she is at least 16 years old and knowingly or willfully causes a juvenile to be in a place or condition, or to commit an act whereby the juvenile could be adjudicated delinquent, undisciplined, abused or neglected. Contributing to the Delinquency of a Juvenile is a Class 1 misdemeanor.
If you have been charged with a domestic violence offense, you may need an experienced, dedicated attorney to thoroughly evaluate your case and provide you with a sound legal defense. Call Andresen & Arronte to schedule a free consultation to discuss your case.
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