When police respond to a domestic disturbance call, they are often ready and determined to make an arrest. This can be true even if they arrive and there is no one hurt and the assault seems to be little more than a disagreement between two people. Even when this is the case, New York police may still decide to arrest whichever party they feel is the aggressor in the situation.
Recently, police in another state responded to a possible domestic assault after three people had reportedly heard a couple fighting. The police were called and they ended up arresting a 19-year-old girl. But exactly why she was arrested seems a little unclear.
According to reports, the girl and her boyfriend had gotten into a minor disagreement. She shot him with a toy water pistol and dumped water on him, the boyfriend hit the girl with a pillow and they both reportedly shoved each other. No one was hurt and the only devices used during the fight were a water gun and a pillow.
But police spoke with witnesses who say the girl and boy were engaged in a fight and they heard yelling and scuffling. No one actually saw the alleged fight, but police identified the 19-year-old girl as the aggressor, based on witness statements that they had heard the boyfriend yell “Get off of me.” She was arrested and taken to jail.
When police respond to domestic violence calls, their decisions may not always seem fair or necessary. But even if you believe you have done nothing wrong and there is no reason for you to be arrested by police, it is important for people in these types of situations to try and stay calm and ask for an attorney before speaking with authorities. Statements that you make to police can be misinterpreted or taken out of context later if a person ends up being charged, which can have a negative impact on their case.
Rather than take this risk, people who are arrested for domestic assault in New York or are facing charges may want to speak with an attorney who can defend them and work to have the charges reduced or dismissed.
Source: International Business Times, “Giovanna Borge, Florida Woman, Arrested For Allegedly Squirting Boyfriend With Water Gun,” Howard Koplowitz, Oct. 18, 2013