Domestic Violence Charges – Blog 14: Common Prosecution Trial Tactics

December 26, 2020

By Criminal Defense Lawyer Jeremy Rosenthal

(972) 369-0577

www.texasdefensefirm.com

In domestic violence trials, prosecutors know typically their case is only as strong as their complaining witness.

You can read other blogs about defending domestic violence charges and an index to the other blogs here.

Most family assault cases will have the prosecution calling to the witness stand the accuser, one or more police officers who were presumably on the scene, and increasingly expert witnesses who are often what we characterize as “blind.”

Exhibits will consist typically of photos taken the evening of the arrest of the complaining witness, the defendant and often of the place the altercation, if any, occurred if there is damage.  We also might see media in the form of 911 calls or body-cameras from police.

Corroboration

Because the accuser is the main witness – the prosecutor obviously attempts to show the jury as much evidence as they can which corroborate that witness’ account.  It could be physical injuries, cuts or scars.  It could also be physical evidence on the scene such as broken items or the location of other evidence or debris from an altercation.

Medical records exist in many cases but not all.  Obviously those are valuable pieces of evidence a to which a prosecutor will point if it fortifies their case.

Often times the corroboration might include statements the accused makes whether or not it is consistent with a true confession.

“The Cycle of Violence” and “Power and Control Wheel”

The cycle of violence and power and control wheel, which I’ve blogged about before, are central tenants of the Duluth Model and are loaded with assumptions and weaknesses.

The cycle is a theory which says domestic abuse goes through cyclical patterns which include assaultive abuse, a honeymoon phase, and then increasing tension followed again by assaultive abuse which is often worse than before.

The power and control wheel describes underlying motivations which include power and control by the abuser

These are generally incorporated into the prosecution’s case in AFV trials.  The prosecution attempts to fit aspects of the cycle and the wheel into the facts of the case.  Sometimes their evidence fits and sometimes it doesn’t.

True Story — I once had a prosecutor argue to a jury that when my client filed for divorce after she’d accused him of assault that it was because he was trying to control her.  I include it because it shows just how far the prosecution might reach and jam any fact they can into the “power and control wheel” whether it fits or not.  You would think filing for divorce would also be evidence of wanting to not be around another person at all (because they just had him falsely arrested for assault) and would be the complete opposite of trying to control them.

“Blind Lumper” Expert Witnesses

The “blind” expert is often a person who either works with law enforcement or as an advocate for domestic violence victims.  They are blind for the reason they usually don’t know any of the facts of a specific case until they hit the witness stand.  They are “lumpers” because academics tend to either “lump” everything into one-size fits all or they tend to “split” and show how one case differs from the rest.

They are then lobbed hypotheticals by the prosecution.  The unshackling result is the blind lumper witness then molds the hypothetical into how it fits the Duluth Model which shows, according to them, defendant is guilty.

*Jeremy Rosenthal is certified in criminal law by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization.  He is designated as a Super Lawyer by Thomson Reuters.


Assault by “Impeding the Normal Breathing or Circulation”

January 29, 2011

By Criminal Defense Lawyer Jeremy Rosenthal

(972) 369-0577

texasdefensefirm.com

In 2008, the Texas Legislature amended the assault statute to add section 22.01(b)(2)(B) which makes it a 3rd degree felony when, “the offense is committed by intentionally, knowingly, or recklessly impeding the normal breathing or circulation of the blood of the person by applying pressure to the person’s throat or neck or by blocking the person’s nose or mouth.”  It essentially makes an assault where there is choking a felony instead of a misdemeanor.

A 3rd degree felony is punishable between 2 and 10 years in prison and/or a fine not to exceed $10,000.  Not to be over-looked are family violence allegations which can be every-bit as serious as felonies in their own way.

Thought the statute may seem clear cut, there are all sorts of legal issues with these types of prosecutions.  Keep in mind that newer statutes are the ones that tend to have unintended consequences or unforeseen loopholes.

The primary questions are whether defenses such as self-defense or consent apply to this type of an assault.  Section 22.06 of the Penal Code allows for consent as a defense to assaultive conduct (in relevant part), where “the conduct did not threaten or inflict serious bodily injury…” or was a known risk of the victim’s occupation.  So while a person cannot legally consent to an assault where they suffered serious bodily injury, it seems as though they may legally consent to an assault where there is a choking under 22.01(b)(2)(B).  Self-defense under Texas Penal Code 9.31 is broader, but it’s application to the assault by choking is also unclear.  Self-defense is justified, “…when and to the degree the actor reasonably believes the force is immediately necessary to protect the actor against the other’s use or attempted use of unlawful force.”  Though every court may treat this differently, and eventually the appellate courts may tell us how they think this law should work — it looks like it is an issue a jury would likely have to consider.  Did the alleged victim put themselves in a situation where they consented to being choked?  Was the accused justified in defending themselves by choking the alleged victim?  I’m sure there are countless scenarios where these could apply.

Other legal issues include whether the State can allege lesser-included offenses of misdemeanor assault in conjunction with the “choking” allegations.  District Courts which handle felony’s don’t have jurisdiction to hear misdemeanor cases.  This too is a question which may be subject of an appeal.

Finally there are the normal host of legal issues which surround an assault prosecution.  Those include possible hearsay statements, the defendant’s right to face his accuser in court, and the alleged victim’s right to counsel in the event they could be liable for inconsistent statements under “false report to a police officer.”

These prosecutions and situations are extremely complex.  An accused person should absolutely have an experienced lawyer that understands these intricacies of these newer types of prosecutions.

*Jeremy Rosenthal is Board Certified in Criminal Law by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization and licensed by the Supreme Court of Texas. He is designated as a Texas Super Lawyer by Thomson Reuters.


Does The Alleged Victim in an Assault Case Need a Lawyer Too?

November 16, 2010

By Dallas and Collin County Criminal Defense Lawyer Jeremy Rosenthal

(972) 562-7549

texasdefensefirm.com

I get asked this question from time to time, so today I’ll try and answer it.

The short answer is maybe.  In virtually any assault case, the main evidence comes from the alleged victim who almost always gives a statement to police either at the scene of the arrest or at the police station.

Alleged victims are often later asked to give statement in subsequent proceedings whether it is in trial, statements to a prosecuting attorney, or by signing affidavits of non-prosecution requesting that charges be dropped.  Statements which are inconsistent with the original statement given to police can give rise to criminal liability to the victim.

Texas Penal Code 37.08 covers false reports to police officers and states in relevant part, “A person commits an offense if, with intent to deceive, he knowingly makes a false statement that is material to a criminal investigation and makes the statement to… (1)  a peace officer conducting the investigation; or (2)  any employee of a law enforcement agency that is authorized by the agency to conduct the investigation and that the actor knows is conducting the investigation.”

In a nutshell, it is possible that where an alleged victim makes a statement to law enforcement down the road in a case which reveals that they weren’t being truthful at any point of the case when dealing with police or with prosecutors… then the alleged victim themselves can have criminal exposure.

False reports to police officers are class b misdemeanors and carry a punishment of up to 180 days jail and a $2,000 fine.

Also, the attorney representing the accused in an assault cannot also give legal advice to the alleged victim.  This is because there is a very clear conflict of interest for the attorney who represents the accused’s best interests — and has no ethical or legal obligation to protect the alleged victims interests as well.

If you’re the alleged victim in an assault case or domestic violence case in Texas, you may want to seek legal counsel if you have any questions about your rights and representation if so needed.

*Jeremy Rosenthal is Board Certified in Criminal Law by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization and licensed by the Supreme Court of Texas. Nothing in this article is intended to be legal advice.  For specific legal advice about any particular case or situation you should directly consult an attorney.


Can the Victim Drop Assault Charges?

September 14, 2010

By Dallas and Collin County Criminal Defense Lawyer Jeremy Rosenthal

(972) 562-7549

texasdefensefirm.com

In a criminal case in Texas — not directly.  In a civil case — yes.

Assault charges can be brought two different ways in Texas — in a criminal court or (far less commonly) in a civil lawsuit.  A civil lawsuit can be brought by the alleged victim to recover money while a criminal charge is brought by the State seeking a criminal conviction on the accused’s record.  Civil cases can always be dropped by the person bringing the suit.

In a criminal action, the parties are the State of Texas and the accused.  The victim is not directly a party to the action and is really more accurately characterized as a witness.  An alleged victim can request that charges be dropped, but the prosecuting attorney does not have to honor that request.

Many prosecutors will ask an alleged victim for what is known as an “affidavit of non-prosecution” or an ANP for short if they don’t want to prosecute.  An ANP is a statement under oath which details the reasons for their not wanting to prosecute.

An alleged victim has potential legal exposure for making a false police report in the event they admit statements on their ANP that are inconsistent with what they originally told police.  For this reason, an alleged victim should seek counsel as well prior to doing an affidavit of non-prosecution (not the same lawyer defending the assault case — that would be a conflict of interest for the lawyer).

The Bottom Line

Assault cases — especially ones involving alleged family violence or spousal abuse — aren’t necessarily dismissed in Texas courts merely because the victim wants the case to be dismissed.  The matters are complicated and the alleged victim should seek a lawyer in addition to the accused having a lawyer where the alleged victim is seeking to ask for charges to be dropped.

*Jeremy Rosenthal is Board Certified in Criminal Law by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization and licensed by the Supreme Court of Texas. Nothing in this article is intended to be legal advice.  For specific legal advice about any specific situation, you should consult an attorney directly.


False Report to Peace Officer In Domestic Assault Cases

August 10, 2010

By Dallas and Collin County Criminal Defense Lawyer Jeremy Rosenthal

(972) 562-7549

texasdefensefirm.com

It is illegal in Texas for a person to make a false report to a peace officer or a law enforcement employee.  Texas Penal Code 37.08 is the governing statute.  That provision states,

“(a)  A person commits an offense if, with intent to deceive, he knowingly makes a false statement that is material to a criminal investigation and makes the statement to:

“(1)  a peace officer conducting the investigation; or

“(2)  any employee of a law enforcement agency that is authorized by the agency to conduct the investigation and that the actor knows is conducting the investigation.

“(b)  In this section, “law enforcement agency” has the meaning assigned by Article 59.01, Code of Criminal Procedure.

“(c)  An offense under this section is a Class B misdemeanor.

A common situation where this law comes into play is in assault/ family violence cases.  Often, alleged victims of an assault will seek to retract or deny having made a previous statement to law enforcement.  In those situations, they could actually be exposing themselves to criminal liability for making a false statement.

It is not uncommon in assault/ family violence situations for alleged victims to seek counsel of their own (not the same attorney representing their spouse charged with assault) if they retract their original statement or admit under oath that their original statement was false.  The alleged victim has important rights in this scenario as well and a lawyer can help protect them from incurring legal liability themselves in these cases.

*Jeremy Rosenthal is Board Certified in Criminal Law by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization and licensed by the Supreme Court of Texas. Nothing in this article should be considered legal advice.  For specific legal advice for any specific situation you should directly consult an attorney.