How to Beat a Strangulation Charge | 13 Ways for Your Defense

One of the most serious accusations someone can make against another individual is domestic violence by strangulation. False accusations made against you by a lover, a romantic partner, or a family member may result in criminal charges. Or perhaps you were involved in a heated dispute. Regardless of the situation, you must understand how to beat a strangulation charge. Thus, we have made this post to aid you.

Strangulation is described as a decreased air or blood movement brought on by a deliberate exterior constriction of the larynx or neck. You could be charged with hand strangling if you use your hands.

Alternatively, this may entail applying pressure to the victim’s blood arteries or trachea using a tourniquet like a cord. In some cases, a person facing a strangling accusation may be able to use the positive argument of self-defense. 

If the defendant uses acceptable force to stop a danger to themselves and rationally thinks that force is required to stop the threat, the defendant may assert self-defense. Come along as we show you how to beat a strangulation charge.

• Knowing your legal rights and hiring an experienced criminal defense attorney
• Preparing for your court appearance
• Gathering evidence to build a strong defense case
• Evaluating the credibility of witness statements and testimony
• Identifying any inconsistencies in the prosecution’s case
• Challenging the validity of physical evidence
• Exploring alternative explanations for the victim’s injuries
• Arguing for a lesser charge or reduced sentence
• Building a strong defense strategy
• Negotiating a plea deal
• Going to trial and presenting your case
• Understanding the potential consequences of a conviction
• Post-trial options and resources for support.

How to Beat a Strangulation Charge

Knowing your legal rights and hiring an experienced criminal defense attorney

You must know your rights to prove Domestic Battery by Strangulation under American Law. Additionally, the prosecutor must demonstrate that you knew and purposefully restricted someone else’s ability to breathe normally or circulate their blood.

Furthermore, if you want to defend against a strangling claim successfully, you need a qualified criminal defense lawyer. Without a lawyer present, you shouldn’t interact with the cops or the prosecution. Hire a competent private attorney by pooling all of your available resources.

On the other hand, a public counsel or other court-appointed attorney might be made available to you. These lawyers might need to have the opportunity to focus on your case more. You should seriously contemplate employing your attorney because of this. 

You can look for a competent domestic abuse attorney by visiting the website of your state’s legal organization, which should offer a recommendation service. Seek out lawyers with experience defending against charges of strangling.

Preparing for your court appearance

You should dress neatly and cleanly for your court appearance to impress the magistrate. At all times, wear formal attire. Even though a uniform is not required, you should still appear neat. 

Dress trousers, a button-up dress shirt, and a tie are appropriate for men. Put on stockings and formal shoes as well.

• Women should also wear modest clothing, ideally a business suit or an extremely formal gown. No exposing clothing or party gowns.
• Also, use garments or makeup to conceal scars. Also, get rid of face tattoos. 

Gathering evidence to build a strong defense case

A great defense stands on your ability to present evidence that casts doubt if you engaged in strangulation violence on the day in question. You must collect this proof as soon as possible after the event. It may take many different shapes.

If you were wrongfully accused of strangling, you should snap quick photos of the victim. You have some evidence that you have never choked someone if there are no bumps, puffiness, or cuts. 

If you are detained, you will require someone else to collect this information. Consult a dependable acquaintance or relative.

Evaluating the credibility of witness statements and testimony

Charges of strangulation and smothering frequently depend on testimony from witnesses. In addition, the authorities also make notes about the situation and the claimed victim’s health. As a result, challenging the testimony of the accused victim or bystanders is a frequent strategy in cases of strangulation and asphyxia.

The sufferer might have invented or overstated the events for personal gain. Contesting the victim’s testimonies or other witnesses is one way to beat a strangulation charge.

Identifying any inconsistencies in the prosecution’s case

If the claimed victim is unwilling to testify, it will be challenging for the state to condemn her. Your lawyer will be allowed to conduct a cross-examination if they do. Your counsel will also try to undermine the claimed victim during cross-examination by highlighting inconsistencies or gaps in their story.

Challenging the validity of physical evidence

The state uses different evidence from each strangling case to link the accused to the claimed crime. There may be witnesses who support the prosecution’s case in some cases. Sometimes the state’s approach will emphasize tangible proof, such as DNA or genetic data.

If the state asserts that they have tangible proof against you, you might feel that mounting a defense is hopeless. 

A key strategy is questioning the state’s methods for gathering the proof. The proof that the courts can consider in your case may be affected if detectives or police officials disobey the law or abuse your civil rights during their inquiry.

Exploring alternative explanations for the victim’s injuries

Please be confident that you have remedies if you have been unjustly accused of violent strangling. You can claim that the violence didn’t happen or that you were the one who was attacked and acted defensively. Strangulation is a domestic violence claim you can beat, so you must employ an adept counsel and compile proof of your innocence.

Arguing for a lesser charge or reduced sentence

Plea negotiation requests a lower penalty or shorter punishment in a strangling case. In the legal system, this procedure involves making a deal between the prosecutor and defense in which the offender admits guilt to a less serious crime.

Usually, this is done in return for suggestions, a particular punishment, a more compassionate penalty, or the dropping of other accusations. Plea agreements are defended as expediting the legal process and ensuring judgment. Most strangling cases in the US involve some form of plea negotiation, whereas opponents claim that it stops justice from being served.

Building a strong defense strategy

You can easily defend yourself in a strangulation charge by Building a strong defense strategy. You can contend that the state did not establish its case or that you were the actual sufferer of domestic abuse. It is always the state’s responsibility to establish your guilt of domestic abuse beyond a reasonable question.

You could counter that the state has not proven its case because the legal system does not protect the sufferer. 

Negotiating a plea deal

Negotiating a plea deal is crucial to clear yourself of a strangling accusation. In a strangling prosecution, a prosecutor and a suspect devise an arrangement to resolve the case against the defendant on conditions deemed acceptable by the prosecutor. These conditions are predicated on fairness, the general good, and public policy considerations.

Going to trial and presenting your case

When trying to beat a strangulation charge, going to trial and presenting your case is also essential. It would help if you sat at the bar table in front of the courthouse once your case is prepared to be heard.

To make locating items during the trial easier, take out your documents and organize them. Just place what you need on the table. 

You can share your side of the story and persuade the judge that it is accurate during the trial. Remember that the judge is only interested in the proof supporting your case, so pay attention.

Understanding the potential consequences of a conviction

A conviction for strangulation is a severe violation. And this could result in a maximum penalty of up to six years in jail, a $10,000 fine, or both. It is a crime of class H. Strangulation is frequently enhanced or modified with a domestic violence allegation. That multiplier increases the potential sanctions and jail time resulting from a judgment.

Post-trial options and resources for support.

You can petition a higher judge if you’re unhappy with how your strangling case was resolved. This will make them revisit your situation. In the Magistrate Court, challenging a court decision is free of charge. However, the State or Superior Court charges extra costs. It is also necessary to pay any relevant court fees imposed in the Magistrate Court’s ruling.

Expert Opinion

Almost always, charges in strangulation instances are founded on information the authorities have after the fact. Photographs, firsthand accounts, and views of the situation are all included. It can be challenging to tell whether someone’s respiration was restricted in the past. Any scars the authorities see on the victim’s scalp or neck will be used as evidence. At this point, the tips above will aid you in learning How to beat a strangulation charge.

References

• Robert Lee Bolton III, Strangulation as a Felony Offense: A New Penalty Under W. Va. Code § 61-2-9D, 120 W. Va. L. Rev. Online 18:  “Strangulation as a Felony Offense: A New Penalty Under W. Va. Code § 61-2-9D”. 
• Ansara D & Hindin M. Psychosocial consequences of intimate partner violence for women and men in Canada. Journal of Interpersonal Violence 26(8): 1628–1645: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/20501897/
• Coker A et al. 
• Physical and mental health consequences of intimate partner violence in men and women. American Journal of Preventative Medicine 23(4): 260–268: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/12406480/
• Monahan, Kathleen; Purushotham, Archana; Biegon, Anat (August 2019).: “Neurological implications of nonfatal strangulation and intimate partner violence.”