It is an unfortunate reality that domestic violence accusations are a part of a number of divorce cases here in Dallas. In some cases, these are real and serious situations in which children or a spouse are in danger. In other cases, false accusations are used as a way for a spouse to get the upper hand in a divorce or child custody dispute.
In any event, it is important for both the accusers and defendants of domestic violence to have legal counsel. The stakes are very high when someone is accused of domestic abuse, and it is important that accusations are resolved in a fair manner that fosters safety for any victims.
The rapper 50 Cent resolved the domestic violence accusations he was facing by agreeing to a plea bargain this week. The rapper had been accused of kicking his child’s mother and damaging her apartment in June.
On Monday, he pleaded no contest to vandalism charges, and as a result the domestic violence charge was dismissed. For the vandalism charges, he will serve three years of probation as well as one month of community service. He has also been ordered to pay just under $9,500 in restitution and fines.
If he had been convicted of all of the charges that he originally faced, he could have been sent to jail for up to five years and faced up to $46,000 in fines.
In addition to those serious penalties, a domestic violence conviction could have limited the rapper’s visitation and child custody rights. When children are involved, it is often important for defendants of domestic violence accusations to reach resolutions that will not impact custody or visitation rights.
Source: Reuters, “Rapper 50 Cent gets probation in domestic violence case,” Oct. 28, 2013