What Evidence Can Be Used Against Me in a Domestic Violence Case?

If you’re facing a domestic violence charge, you undoubtedly have a lot of questions about what comes next, including what kind of evidence could potentially be used against you. An experienced Nashville domestic violence defense attorney is standing by to answer all your questions – in addition to building your strongest defense and fighting for your rights.

Every Domestic Violence Case Is Unique to the Circumstances Involved

In Tennessee, domestic violence charges relate not only to physical assault that causes bodily harm but also to credible threats of imminent bodily harm and to offensive or provocative touch. For domestic violence to apply, the victim’s relationship with the accused must be one of the following:

• A relative
• A former or current romantic partner
• A former or current member of their household

Domestic violence charges in Tennessee, however, can also relate to systematic emotional abuse in which the defendant engages in a pattern of behavior that causes their accuser to experience any of the following:

• Ongoing dread or fear
• A significant loss in terms of self-esteem
• A loss of perspective in relation to the sense of self

In other words, the authorities are interested in evidence that goes beyond proving the physical violence or threats that are generally associated with domestic violence.

Primary Forms of Evidence in Domestic Violence Cases

Evidence in domestic violence cases generally breaks down into two primary groups.

Physical Evidence

Physical evidence refers to the kind of evidence that can be touched and seen. Prime examples include:

• Broken or damaged property
• Pictures and videos of physical injuries
• Related medical reports
• Documentation of any prior domestic violence arrests or calls to the police
• Any recorded or written communication between the two parties that supports the claim of domestic violence

Verbal Testimony

The verbal testimony of those with relevant knowledge of the alleged domestic violence can play a critical role in these cases. Examples include:

• Eyewitness testimony or the testimony of those who may have heard the altercation in question
• The testimony of the police who responded to the incident and likely did some investigation at the time
• The expert testimony of professionals with relevant knowledge and experience, such as medical professionals, domestic violence experts, and mental health professionals
• The testimony of the person making the accusation of domestic violence

Regardless of the amount and type of evidence your accuser introduces in your case, it will need to be authenticated and interpreted in the context of the specific circumstances involved. And you can count on your focused domestic violence defense attorney to leave no stone unturned in their zealous defense of your innocence.

You Need an Experienced Nashville Domestic Violence Defense Attorney on Your Side

Andrew Beasley at Andrew C. Beasley, PLLC, is a practiced Nashville criminal defense attorney whose experience and legal insight leave him especially well-positioned to build your strongest defense – in support of your brightest future. To learn more, please contact us online or call 615-846-9889 today.