Domestic Abuse Defense Attorney

Areas of Practice

Domestic Battery Attorney

Rick Coad is an experienced domestic battery defense lawyer located in Madison, Wisconsin. Call him today for a free consultation.

Attorney Rick Road
Attorney Rick Coad

If you have been charged with domestic battery, domestic disorderly conduct, both of which are considered domestic violence or abuse charges, you will benefit from the help of an experienced defense lawyer. These charges can cause a major disruption to your life and well being. In Wisconsin, a person commits the crime of domestic violence by committing battery, inflicting pain or fear, or assaulting a person in his or her family or household.

Domestic Battery in Wisconsin

Domestic battery involves a battery against a domestic partner, which can include a girlfriend, boyfriend, wife or husband.  By definition a battery is when someone causes bodily harm to another by an act done with intent to cause bodily harm to that person or another without the consent of the person, which is a Class A misdemeanor under Wis. Stat. Sec. 940.19(1). Class A misdemeanors carry penalties of 9 months in jail and a fine up to $10,000. When a person commits a battery against his or her spouse or former spouse, against an adult with whom the adult person resides or formerly resided or against an adult with whom the adult person has created a child then a surcharge of $100 must be imposed under Wis. Stat. Sec. 973.055. A battery is a felony under Sec. 940.19 if there is bodily harm, or great bodily harm.

Domestic Disorderly Conduct in Wisconsin

Often times a person will be charged with domestic disorderly conduct in addition to battery, which is also a misdemeanor under Wis. Stat. Sec. 947.01(1). It is also common for us to see a person charged with domestic disorderly conduct when there is no clear evidence of physical contact for a battery charge.The penalties for disorderly conduct are 90 days in jail, and a $1,000 fine.

Often times these charges stem from an argument between people in a romantic relationship where the police are called. Most people don’t know that when the police are called to a domestic disturbance, they will almost always arrest one of the people involved in the disturbance even if there is no clear physical evidence of any type of battery or injury. Being charged with domestic battery can ruin your reputation and have consequences you never thought you’d experience.

What To Do if Arrested for Domestic Battery or Domestic Disorderly Conduct

These are serious charges that can change your life. Our skilled domestic battery lawyers in Madison, WI can help you get domestic abuse charges reduced or dismissed. Contact us today for a free consultation.

Coad Law Office is located in Madison, WI, and defends people charged with Domestic Battery / Domestic Disorderly Conduct / Domestic Abuse throughout the state, including: Dane County, Columbia County, Walworth County, Jefferson County, Sauk County, Dodge County, Iowa County, Green County, Rock County, Waukesha County, Fond du Lac County, Richland County, Juneau County and many others.

Case Results

  • Madison, WI (Dane County) Domestic Battery and Disorderly Conduct (2023)

      In 2023, we have been successful in getting eight excellent results for our clients arrested for domestic battery and disorderly conduct. In five of those cases, we were able to advocate for our clients between the time of their arrest and their initial appearance, resulting in either no charges issuing in court at all, or in ordinance violations that were later dismissed. That’s why it is critical that if you are arrested for a domestic abuse charge you should immediately contact and hire a criminal defense lawyer to help you get your best outcome in a difficult situation. And if it goes to court, we’ll be there to help you through it.

  • Dane County – Domestic Battery; Domestic Disorderly Conduct

      The client was charged with two counts of domestic battery and one count of disorderly conduct.  The case involved very difficult facts, including injuries and threats of future violence.  Through careful representation, Attorney Coad negotiated a settlement that dismissed all criminal offenses in favor of a non-criminal disorderly conduct ticket.  To achieve a good result such as this requires an experienced attorney like Mr. Coad, who understands how to investigate a case and address the concerns of a prosecutor and court.

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