Domestic Violence

Most states, including South Dakota, take domestic violence allegations extremely seriously. Most calls in which domestic violence is suspected usually end in arrest. While strict domestic violence laws are meant to protect victims, they can also be misapplied. Anyone...

Protection orders exist to help people in vulnerable situations. Someone who has had to endure intimate partner violence, assault from a family member or stalking could petition the courts in South Dakota for a protective order. If granted, such an order can limit...

South Dakota, like most states, has a tough stance on domestic violence and abusive parents. Whenever custody matters are involved, the goal of the child custody ruling is always to act in the child’s best interest. And this usually involves providing a safe and...

If your partner accuses you of domestic violence, they could seek to place a protection order. If they succeed, this could severely limit your rights and impose unwanted changes on your life. Protection orders play a vital role in keeping people in danger safe. Yet,...

Allegations of domestic violence often stem from mutual confrontations rather than overt abuse. In a domestic abuse scenario, one spouse attacks first by verbally belittling the other. Intense fights between intimate partners or spouses can easily sound like domestic...

If someone accuses you of domestic violence, it could result in restrictions to your gun rights. Current federal legislation restricts you from owning a gun if convicted of domestic violence against a domestic partner, such as a spouse. Newly proposed legislation...

A domestic violence charge means that you need to explore all the defense options that are possible for your case. While you’re doing this, you may wonder if you can convince the victim in the case to drop the charges. It might seem like that would be an easy way to...

Criminal charges or allegations of any sort can upend your life. But they can be especially damaging when they concern people in your own home. Domestic violence accusations and charges regularly lead to protective orders and often spur divorce and child custody...

Protective orders, often called restraining orders, exist to protect victims of domestic violence. Unfortunately, anymore, people do not always seek protective orders for the right reasons. This results in some South Dakota residents having protective orders put into...