Category Archives: Domestic Violence

Chad Johnson Faces Warrant in Domestic Violence Case

Former Bengals wide receiver Chad Johnson, formerly known as Chad Ochocinco, is back in the news.  And not for a good reason.

A Florida judge has issued a warrant for his arrest on charges that he violated several terms of his domestic violence probation.  Court officials allege that he failed to meet with probation officers and also failed to complete a “Batterers Intervention Program.”

Johnson was placed on probation after his wife alleged, according to police reports, that he head butted her during a an argument in August after she found a receipt for condoms in the couple’s car.

Johnson pleaded no contest to domestic battery and was placed on probation by a Broward County, Florida judge.

Johnson has a previous conviction for domestic violence.  Had the new allegations occurred in Ohio, Johnson likely would have faced a felony, rather than a misdemeanor charge.  Mike Allen discussed the case on WLW700 shortly after the incident.

Individuals facing domestic violence charges should contact a defense attorney with significant experience in this area.   Domestic violence charges, more than many other criminal allegations, create pressure for families and a stigma that comes with being accused, and convicted, of domestic violence.  An experienced attorney can try to utilize every legal resource at his disposal in an effort to resolve the case in a way that benefits the client.

 

Man Shot by Ex-Wife on Valentine’s Day

Valentine’s Day didn’t start out very well for a Butler County Man.  David Knapp was shot in the face in the morning of Valentine’s Day by his ex-wife.  He was treated at the University of Cincinnati Medical Center for a gunshot wound to his nose and mouth.

Dawson Photo. Source: Cinncinnati Enquirer

Pamela Dawson faces felonious assault charges and is being held in Butler County jail.  Dawson and Knapp were divorced three years ago, but continued to share a residence in Hamilton.  The Cincinnati Enquirer obtained the 911 call from Knapp’s current girlfriend:

She said she was locked out of the home with her dog, but Knapp came out at one point and told her Dawson shot him.

“My boyfriend just got shot in the face!” She breathlessly told the dispatcher.

“Who shot him?” the dispatcher asked.

“He came outside and told me she did,” Johnson said. “He came outside screaming and hollering ‘she shot me in the face! She shot me in the face!’ he had blood all over his face.”

Listen:  Dawson 911 Call

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College Student Obtains Protection Order Against Parents

A 21-year-old college senior has obtained an anti-stalking order against her parents.  The Cincinnati Enquirer has the story.

This case is unusual.  In the over-whelming majority of cases, anti-stalking orders are related to domestic violence situations – in other words, they are usually obtained against ex-spouses, ex-boyfriends, and ex-girlfriends.

According to the article, Aubrey Ireland is a senior in University of Cincinnati’s College-Conservatory of Music.  She told a judge that her parents “often drove 600 miles” to make unannounced visits and that they “accused her of using illegal drugs, promiscuity and suffering from mental woes.”    They also installed “monitoring software on her laptop and cellphone, allowing them to see her every keystroke and phone number dialed or received.”

The school was concerned about the parents’ conduct, as well.  The school hired security guards to keep the parents out of performances. Ireland sought a protection order after her parents told UC administrators they might seek to have her taken into custody for a mental evaluation.

In granting the order, the judge said that “Ireland is an adult” and that “she is allowed to live her life as she chooses.”

While this story is unusual, it illustrates the broad reach of Domestic Violence laws in Ohio.  In Ohio, a domestic violence protection order can be obtained when there is threats of violence and actual physical abuse between spouses, family members, and/or those in the same household.  An Order can also be obtained even in the absence of violence when the conduct of an abuser causes “mental distress.”  Generally, in those situations courts look for evidence of an abuser’s effort to maintain control in the relationship.

Protection Orders are serious.  Someone subject to a protection order may be subject to criminal prosecution for violation of the protection order – even if the person who obtains the protection order desires contact.  The person may also lose the right, under federal law, to carry a firearm.  For this reason, persons seeking or possibly subject to a protection order should contact an attorney who understands this area of the law.  The attorney can utilize every legal resource in an effort to resolve the case in a beneficial way.