Law Enforcement and Domestic Violence
For many law enforcement officers, domestic violence calls are some of their most dangerous. Although dispatchers may give some information to officers before they arrive on the scene, officers often walk into unfamiliar territory and fights that involve highly emotional individuals. In many of these situations, there are certain actions police can take in order to defuse immediate violence and carry out their duties safely.
Contact the Austin family law attorneys of Slater & Kennon, LLP, by calling 512-472-2431 to learn more about how the law can help protect you today.
How Police Respond
Police may try a number of tactics when trying to break up a domestic dispute or protect one individual from the violent actions of his or her spouse. Some of the following actions can be used to safely end an incident of domestic violence:
- Arresting both individuals involved and later pressing charges
- Arresting the individual who has caused the most physical harm
- Mediating to determine the aggressor, then arresting according to probable cause
- Arresting anyone violating a court order, including restraining orders
Although it may at first seem like a violation of a citizen’s rights, these arrests are made not on the basis of actual detention, but as a general tactic to safely stop violence. This may even mean that a victim of abuse can be arrested after making a call to the authorities.
Contact Us
In these situations, it is important to remember that arresting the parties involved can actually benefit victims by reducing the chance for repeat offenses. The threat of legal action is often, but not always, sufficient to stop the abuse and allow victims to live without fear of violence. To learn more about your legal options and how the police can assist you in emergency situations, contact the Austin family law attorneys of Slater & Kennon, LLP, at 512-472-2431 today.