Domestic violence cases can be an emotionally draining experience that requires the help of a domestic violence attorney with a good knowledge of both family and criminal law. Attorney Kim E. Hunter’s compassionate approach as an experienced domestic violence attorney can help reduce your stress and prepare you for the long road ahead.

Crimes of domestic violence in the state of Washington usually involve either family or household members (defined under Revised Code of Washington § 10.99.020(3) as including spouses, former spouses, 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 16 years of age or older who are currently living together or who have resided together in the past and who have or have had a dating relationship, persons 16 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) or individuals in a dating relationship (defined under Revised Code of Washington § 10.31.100 as a social relationship of a romantic nature, in which the court may consider such factors as the length of time the relationship has existed, the nature of the relationship, and the frequency of interaction between the parties). Under Revised Code of Washington § 10.31.100(2)(c), a police officer must arrest a person 18 years of age or older when the officer has probable cause to believe that a felonious assault has occurred, an assault has occurred which has resulted in bodily injury to the victim, or that any physical act that has happened which was intended to cause another person reasonably to fear imminent serious bodily injury or death. Crimes related to domestic violence may include assault, harassment, malicious mischief, and interfering with reporting domestic violence. It is critical for alleged offenders to understand that alleged victims do not have the power to drop criminal charges, as that power lies solely with the state’s attorney.