United States Department of Justice Federal Domestic Violence Laws
http://www.usdoj.gov/usao/nd/victimwitness/brochures/domesticviolencelaws.html
Issues and Answers
Violence and abuse at the hands of a loved one is frightening, degrading, and confusing. Have you experienced this violence and abuse? If so, you are a victim of domestic violence. You are also the victim of a crime.
Despite your conflicting emotions, the legal system may be one of the most effective ways to protect yourself and your children.
In 1994, Congress passed the Violence against Women Act (VAWA). This Act, and the 1996 additions to the Act, recognize that domestic violence is a national crime and that federal laws can help an overburdened state and local criminal justice system. In 1994 and 1996, Congress also passed changes to the Gun Control Act making it a federal crime in certain situations for domestic abusers to possess guns. The majority of domestic violence cases will continue to be handled by your state and local authorities. In some cases, however, the federal laws and the benefits gained from applying these laws may be the most appropriate course of action.
This fact sheet is designed to provide practical information on the available federal domestic violence laws and penalties and the rights of federal victims.
Who Should I Call to Report a Possible Federal Crime?
For a possible Gun Control Act violation, please call the Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms (ATF) Office.
For a possible VAWA violation, please call the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) Office.
These violations are described in this fact sheet. The phone numbers for the FBI and ATF are listed at the bottom of this fact sheet. If you are unsure of the violation, please call Crisis Connection at 1.800.245.4580.
What are the Federal Crimes and Penalties?
All the federal domestic violence crimes are felonies. It is a federal crime under the Violence against Women Act (VAWA):
- to cross state lines or enter or leave Indian country and physically injure an "intimate partner." 18 U.S.C. Section 2261
- to cross state lines to stalk or harass or to stalk or harass within the maritime or territorial lands of the United States (this includes military bases and Indian country). 18 U.S.C. Section 2261A
- to cross state lines or enter or leave Indian country and violate a qualifying protection order. 18 U.S.C. 2262
It is a federal crime under the Gun Control Act:
- to possess a firearm and/or ammunition while subject to a qualifying protection order. 18 U.S.C. Section 922(g)(8)
- to possess a firearm and/or ammunition after conviction of a qualifying misdemeanor crime of domestic violence. 18 U.S.C. 922(g)(9)
A violation of the Gun Control Act, Sections 922(g) (8) and 922(g) (9), has a maximum prison term of ten years. A violation under VAWA, Sections 2261, 2261A, and 2262, has a maximum prison term of five years to life, depending on the seriousness of the bodily injury caused by the defendant.
In a VAWA case, the court must order restitution to pay the victim the full amount of losses. These losses include costs for medical or psychological care, physical therapy, transportation, temporary housing, child care expenses, lost income, attorney's fees, costs in
urred in obtaining a civil protection order, and any other losses suffered by the victim as a result of the offense.
In a Gun Control Act case, the court may order restitution.
Please keep a record of all expenses caused by the domestic violence crime.
What is a Qualifying Domestic Violence Misdemeanor?
Possession of a firearm and/or ammunition after conviction of a "qualifying" domestic violence misdemeanor is a federal crime under Section 922(g)(9). Generally, the misdemeanor will "qualify" if the conviction was for a crime committed by an intimate partner, parent or guardian of the victim that required the use or attempted use of physical force or the threatened use of a deadly weapon. In addition, Section 922(g)(9) imposes other legal requirements. The United States Attorney's Office will examine your case and determine whether the prior domestic violence misdemeanor conviction qualifies under Section 922(g)(9).
What is a Qualifying Protection Order?
Possession of a firearm and/or ammunition while subject to a protection order, and interstate violation of a protection order are federal crimes if the protection order "qualifies" under Sections 2262 and 922(g)(8). Generally, a protection order will qualify under federal law if reasonable notice and an opportunity to be heard was given to the person against whom the court's order was entered and if the order forbids future threats of violence. The United States Attorney's Office can evaluate your order to see if it qualifies. Therefore, you should keep copies of all orders.
Who is an Intimate Partner?
Generally, the federal laws recognize an intimate partner as a spouse, a former spouse, a person who shares a child in common with the victim, or a person who cohabits or has cohabited with the victim.
Can My Concerns be Heard in Federal Court?
A victim in a VAWA case shall have the right to speak, if desired, to the judge at a bail hearing to inform the judge of any danger posed by the release of the defendant. Any victim of a crime of violence shall also have the right to speak, if desired, at the time of sentencing.
Victims' Rights
A federal domestic violence victim has the following rights under 42 U.S.C. Section 10606(b):
- The right to be treated with fairness and with respect for the victim's dignity and privacy.
- The right to be reasonably protected from the accused offender.
- The right to be notified of court proceedings.
- The right to be present at all public court proceedings related to the offense, unless the court determines that testimony by the victim would be materially affected if the victim heard other testimony at trial.
- The right to confer with the attorney for the government in the case.
- The right to restitution.
- The right to information about the conviction, sentencing, imprisonment, and release of the offender.
Help is Available
If you are a victim of a domestic violence crime, it is normal to feel scared, helpless, and vulnerable. Remember, you are not alone. The following agencies exist to help. Please call.
NATIONAL ASSISTANCE
National Domestic Violence Hotline (NDVH)
800.799.SAFE (800.799.7233)
800.787.3224 TTY
http://www.ndvh.org
National Coalition Against Domestic Violence (NCADV)
303.839.1852
http://www.ncadv.org
National Center for Victims of Crime (NCVC)
800.FYI.CALL (800.394.2255)
800.211.7996 TTY/TDD
http://www.ncvc.org
National Organization for Victim Assistance (NOVA)
800.TRY.NOVA (800.879.6682)
http://www.try-nova.org
LOCAL ASSISTANCE
Indiana Coalition Against Domestic Violence (ICADV)
1915 W. 18th Street, Ste. B Indianapolis, IN 46202
Phone 317.917.3685 or 800.538.3393
Fax 317.917.3695
http://www.violenceresource.org/
Indiana Commission for Women (ICW)
402 W. Washington Street, W252
Indianapolis, Indiana 46204
Phone 317.232.6720
http://www.in.gov/icw/
Crisis Connection, Inc. (CCI)
607 Third Ave., P.O. Box 903
Jasper, IN 47547
24-Hour Indiana Hotline 1.800.245.4580
Phone 812.482.1555; 812.649.2303; 812.547.8878
Fax 812.482.1571
Email: cci@psci.net
http://www.crisisconnectioninc.org/
The United States Attorney's Office
Southern District of Indiana
Email
usains.webmaster@usdoj.gov
http://www.usdoj.gov/usao/ins/contact.html
Main Office
United States Attorney's Office
10 W Market St, Suite 2100
Indianapolis, IN 46204
Voice: 317.226.6333
Toll-Free: 888.368.5067
TTY: 317.226.5438
Fax: 317.226.5439
Branch Office
United States Attorney's Office
101 NW MLK Blvd, Suite 250
Evansville, IN 47708
Voice: 812.465.6475
TTY: 812.465.6441
Fax: 812.465.6444
http://www.usdoj.gov/usao/ins/
Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms (ATF)
U.S. Department of Justice Bureau of
Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives
Columbus Field Division
37 West Broad Street, Suite 200
Columbus, Ohio 43215-4167
614.827.8400
Fax: 614.827.8401
http://www.atf.gov/
Serves Indiana & Ohio
Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI)
Evansville RA
266 Federal Office Building
Evansville, IN 47708
Telephone:
812.423.4486
Dubois, Perry & Spencer Counties
New Albany RA
210 Federal Building
121 West Spring Street
New Albany, IN 47150
Telephone:
812.948.8002
Crawford & Orange Counties
Indianapolis Office
575 North Pennsylvania Street, Room 679
Indianapolis, Indiana 46204
Phone: 317.639.3301 Fax: 317.321.6193
http://indianapolis.fbi.gov/
Indiana Attorney General
Victim Assistance Division
302 West Washington Street, 5th Floor
Indianapolis, IN 46204
Phone: 800.258.0993
http://www.in.gov/attorneygeneral
For additional information please see:
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