In criminal law, the initials “DV” stand for ‘Domestic Violence’. DV is a moniker or, in essence, a ‘tag’ that is linked to certain delineated crimes wherein the parties involved are alleged to have a familial or dating relationship. Revised Code of Washington (‘RCW’) 10.99.020 lays out the actual definition of what constitutes a DV crime in Washington State. RCW 10.99.020 states, in part:
‘“Domestic violence” includes but is not limited to any of the following crimes when committed by one family or household member against another: (a) Assault in the first degree (RCW 9A.36.011); (b) Assault in the second degree (RCW 9A.36.021); (c) Assault in the third degree (RCW 9A.36.031); (d) Assault in the fourth degree (RCW 9A.36.041); (e) Drive-by shooting (RCW 9A.36.045); (f) Reckless endangerment (RCW 9A.36.050); (g) Coercion (RCW 9A.36.070); (h) Burglary in the first degree (RCW 9A.52.020); (i) Burglary in the second degree (RCW 9A.52.030); (j) Criminal trespass in the first degree (RCW 9A.52.070); (k) Criminal trespass in the second degree (RCW 9A.52.080); (l) Malicious mischief in the first degree (RCW 9A.48.070); (m) Malicious mischief in the second degree (RCW 9A.48.080); (n) Malicious mischief in the third degree (RCW 9A.48.090); (o) Kidnapping in the first degree (RCW 9A.40.020); (p) Kidnapping in the second degree (RCW 9A.40.030); (q) Unlawful imprisonment (RCW 9A.40.040); (r) Violation of the provisions of a restraining order, no-contact order, or protection order restraining or enjoining the person or restraining the person from going onto the grounds of or entering a residence, workplace, school, or day care, or prohibiting the person from knowingly coming within, or knowingly remaining within, a specified distance of a location (RCW 10.99.040, 10.99.050, 26.09.300, 26.10.220, 26.26.138, 26.44.063, 26.44.150, 26.50.060, 26.50.070, 26.50.130, 26.52.070, or 74.34.145); (s) Rape in the first degree (RCW 9A.44.040); (t) Rape in the second degree (RCW 9A.44.050); (u) Residential burglary (RCW 9A.52.025); (v) Stalking (RCW 9A.46.110); and (w) Interference with the reporting of domestic violence (RCW 9A.36.150).
“Family or household members” means spouses, domestic partners, former spouses, former domestic partners, persons who have a child in common regardless of whether they have been married or have lived together at any time, adult persons related by blood or marriage, adult persons who are presently residing together or who have resided together in the past, persons sixteen years of age or older who are presently residing together or who have resided together in the past and who have or have had a dating relationship, persons sixteen years of age or older with whom a person sixteen years of age or older has or has had a dating relationship, and persons who have a biological or legal parent-child relationship, including stepparents and stepchildren and grandparents and grandchildren.
“Dating relationship” means a social relationship of a romantic nature. Factors that the court may consider in making this determination include: (a) The length of time the relationship has existed; (b) the nature of the relationship; and (c) the frequency of interaction between the parties.’
DV crimes in Washington State (and throughout the country) are taken very seriously by our criminal justice system. Sadly, what often starts out as a simple 911 call in the midst of a heated argument spirals out of control and leads to life shattering consequences upon law enforcement’s arrival on the scene. This is so because in Washington State, law enforcement is mandated to make an arrest if summoned to a DV related crime, no matter how insignificant the matter may seem at the time. There is absolutely no discretion to arrest, the law mandates it. Because of this, families often suffer greatly and relationships become challenged. Regardless, prosecutors generally don’t care too much, and are actually loathe to simply dismiss a case or ‘make it go away’, much to the parties dismay.
In light of the foregoing, it is infinitely important to immediately contact and hire a Seattle domestic violence attorney if faced with a DV related charge. The Seattle domestic violence attorneys that make up the criminal defense team of SQ Attorneys are highly qualified and reputable Seattle domestic violence lawyers that are dedicated to providing top notch, aggressive representation for those arrested for crime all across Western Washington and the Greater Puget Sound region. The team creates success by working with law enforcement and the prosecuting attorney’s office to ensure that all facts and circumstances related to the criminal allegations are considered in creating the fairest, most equitable and just resolution possible in light of all the surrounding circumstances of the given case. So, whether cited for domestic violence related assault, malicious mischief, property destruction or some other crime, protect yourself … call SQ Attorneys immediately at 206.441.0900.