The Loudoun Times-Mirror reported recently that an Ashburn man is facing a charge of malicious wounding following a purported domestic violence altercation. Law enforcement officers were reportedly called to respond to a fight in progress. It is unknown to the …show more content…
According to the Virginia Department of Criminal Justice Services, domestic violence is a pattern of behaviors that are emotionally, physically or sexually abusive. In general, one person uses these types of behaviors to assert power or control over another person with whom they have an intimate or familial relationship.
Domestic violence incidents often involve family abuse. According to the Supreme Court of Virginia, family abuse is acts that involve threats, force or violence between family or household members. These acts must cause, or put people at risk for, serious bodily injury. For the purposes of criminal charges for family abuse, family and household members include spouses and ex-spouses, in-laws who live in the same home, people who share children in common, and current or former co-habitants.
Potential consequences
Being involved in a domestic violence incident in Virginia can have a range of consequences. Under Virginia state law, emergency protective orders are generally ordered against people at the same time that warrants are issued for committing assault and battery against a family or household member. Due to such orders, people may be forced to stay away from their own homes, and may not be allowed to have contact with the alleged victims, their children or