Domestic Violence - Overview
- There are many forms of domestic violence. It is commonly associated with violent or abusive behavior towards a family or a household member.
- Physical violence is the most serious form of domestic violence. If convicted, a person who knowingly causes or attempts to cause physical harm to a family or household member is guilty of a misdemeanor of the first degree on a first offense.
- A person commits a less serious type of domestic violence when they make someone in their household believe that they are in immediate danger by threatening them. A person convicted of that type of domestic violence is guilty of a misdemeanor of the fourth degree on a first offense.
- All types of domestic violence become more serious offenses if the offender knew that the victim was pregnant at the time of the violation or if the offender has a prior conviction for domestic violence.