What Is Domestic Abuse and Assault?

Assault is a serious charge, no matter the circumstances. Whether the incident in question occurred at a bar between two strangers, down the street between a few neighbors, or between two domestic partners, assault is a serious matter.



However, when assault happens between two people who have a familial or intimate relationship, the stakes are higher. The person accused of assault may be arrested and taken into custody with a 72-hour no-contact order. It is crucial to make the distinction between a domestic assault and simple assault. When you hire an experienced domestic assault lawyer, they can determine whether or not the charges you face and the consequences stemming from those charges are appropriate and begin to formulate a legal defense.

Domestic Assault Laws in Wisconsin

Under Wisconsin law, a domestic assault takes place when an adult intentionally inflicts physical pain, injury, illness, sexual assault, or threatening physical acts against: 

• A current or former spouse
• A current or former co-habitant
• A co-parent

The defining trait of domestic abuse or assault is the relationship and history between the individual accused of alleged assault and the alleged victim. Your Wisconsin domestic assault attorney can explain more about this distinction. 

Law enforcement officers are required to make an arrest and take a person into police custody if that person is the alleged primary aggressor and:

• It is believed the abuse will continue.
• The alleged victim has physical injuries.

Once the arrest has been made, and the defendant is in custody, they cannot be released until bail is posted, or they have been seen by a judge. If you have been arrested on such charges, the sooner you can call a Wisconsin domestic assault lawyer, the sooner you can have the legal protections you deserve.

No Contact for 72 Hours

After the arrest is made, the individual who was arrested is not allowed to go near the alleged victim's home or any other places the victim might be, such as their place of employment or the residences of friends and other family members. Once the person suspected of assault or abuse is released from jail, they must avoid all contact with the alleged victim for at least 72 hours. If this order is broken, the individual may be incarcerated for up to nine months, receive a monetary fine of up to $10,000, or both. However, the alleged victim does have the option to sign a waiver at the police department to give up the 72-hour no-contact order. 

Get the Help You Need from a Domestic Assault Attorney at Cohen Law Offices. We’re ready to defend you. Call today at (715) 514-5051 or get in touch online to book a domestic assault charge case review with an experienced Wisconsin domestic assault attorney.