What’s The Sentence For Domestic Violence In The US?

Of course, there are scenarios where domestic violence happens more commonly, and these include:

• A former or current spouse, partner, or fiancé to their partner,
• The parent of a child to the other parent who’s acting as the guardian,
• A blood relative (e.g., parent, sibling, etc.) to their relative/s.

For these reasons, you mustn’t think domestic violence can’t possibly happen to an acquaintance, a close friend, a relative, or even yourself. If you’ve identified a case of domestic violence, it makes sense why you’d want to know the sentences for domestic violence in the US. But first, it’s essential to make a distinction between a felony- and a misdemeanor-level domestic violence case.

Is Domestic Violence A Felony Or Misdemeanor In The US?

A case of domestic violence can only either be a felony or misdemeanor. A misdemeanor is typically a minor offense whose sentences often aren’t any more severe than a year in jail. A felony, on the other hand, is a more serious offense that can lead to life imprisonment or, in rare cases, the death penalty.

Domestic violence is a misdemeanor by default. However, the court may count it as a felony under the right (or wrong) circumstances. With that said, here’s a look at some examples of those circumstances:

• The abuser used a weapon to harm or threaten the victim.
• The victim suffered bodily injury or harm, especially if it’s severe.
• The victim is either young (a child) or old (a senior citizen).
• A child was at the scene as a witness.
• It’s a repeat offense by the abuser.
• The abuser violated a protective or restraining order upon committing the offense.

What’s The Sentence For Domestic Violence In The US?

The sentence for domestic violence in the US may vary according to the classification of the case (felony or misdemeanor). The following are the possible domestic violence sentences if it’s a misdemeanor:

• Fines: The court may require the defendant to pay fines of up to $2,000. The upper limit may vary according to the state or county.
• Jail/Prison: The court may subject the defendant to a maximum of one year of jail time.
• Probation: If the defendant was able to evade jail time, they often have to undergo probation. If so, the terms are often stricter than usual, with little possibility of unsupervised probation.

Meanwhile, felony-level domestic violence is subject to the following sentences:

• Fines: The court may require the defendant to pay fines of up to $6,000, with an additional fine of up to $10,000 if it was a repeat offense. The upper limit may vary according to the state or county.
• Jail/Prison: The jail time can be as long as four years in a state prison. If the case is a repeat offense or if severe bodily injury was caused, the court may extend the time by up to five years.

• Probation: There’s typically no possibility of probation for felony-level domestic violence.

Other sentences for domestic violence in the US include:

• Counseling sessions
• Community service requirements
• Child custody implications
• A criminal record
• A restraining order
• Restitution payments

The Bottom Line

It’s a huge problem in the US, so it’s only fitting that the sentence for domestic violence is severe. Unfortunately, domestic violence doesn’t just affect the abuser and the victim/s, it can also have a negative impact on their friends, relatives, and close acquaintances. The domestic violence penalty may not undo the damage caused by the offense, but it at least discourages other people from engaging in it.

(Related: Is It Illegal to Hit Your Child?)