Monday, December 8, 2014

Domestic Violence An In-depth Explanation Part 1 : Definition

Attorney Ross Goodman
520 S 4th St,
Las Vegas, NV 89101
Phone: (702) 383 – 5088
Fax: (702) 385 – 5088


Domestic Violence is one of the most recurring cases in Nevada. Nevada Network Against Domestic Violence (NNADV), reported that there were over 38,000 victims of Domestic Violence in Nevada for this year. And that value represents only the reported cases. If you know someone who is a victim or charged with domestic violence, it is of utmost importance that they hire the best domestic abuse lawyer in Las Vegas. Attorney Ross C Goodman, will handle your domestic violence case with care as domestic violence can be extremely complex and sensitive. Hiring a good lawyer will be beneficial and advantageous in the long-run.

This article will be divided into several parts. The goal of the article is to explain domestic violence in layman terms.

Nevada Revised Statutes Definition

Domestic Violence occurs when a person commits a violent acts against another person in the same household. It can be against any person that is related by blood such as children, spouse and parents, or other person that the subject is having dating relationship with. The term “dating relationship” pertains to frequent intimate sexual or affection involvement with another person. It does not include casual relationships such as relationship with friends, co-worker, classmates and so forth.

Here is the list of violent acts according to our NRS:

  • Battery – this means the use of unlawful force against other person.
  • Assault – this is the unlawful attempt to use force against another person; or intentionally placing another person in harm.
    •  Battery vs Assault Assault is only an “attempt” to use force against another person. It can be a punch that missed, a kick that missed, or any attempt to intentionally harm a person. Battery means that the action to harm the person has been done.
  • Threatening another person
  • Sexual Assault
  • Intentional or reckless harassment – NRS defines harassment as “to cause physical damage to the property, to hinder or cause negative impact on the daily routine of the person, to do any act that harms the physical and mental health of the person and to cause fear to another person.” These actions includes:
    • Arson – defined in NRS as “to have set fire to a building, structure or any property of another person.” It can be done by the person or an accomplice. It has certain degrees attached to it.
      • First Degree Arson – burning of an occupied or un-occupied personal property.
      • Second Degree Arson – burning of an “abandoned” building that is owned by the person.
      • Third Degree Arson – Burning of unoccupied property that has a value of $25 or more, property owned by the person that has legal interest, or crops, trees, grass, vegetation, or other flammable materials that the person owns.
      • Fourth Degree Arson - is an attempt to set fire to the properties mentioned above. Fourth degree arson includes people who aided in the attempt.
    • Trespassing - this is defined in the NRS as “any person who goes upon the land or into any building of another person with the intention to annoy or cause distress or wilfully goes to the land or building of another person after being warned by the owner not to trespass”
    • Stalking – an action that causes another person to feel frightened, terrorized, harassed, or fearful for their safety is classified as stalking.
    • Larceny – Intentionally stealing, taking, carrying, driving or leading away of another person's property.
    • Destruction of property – intentionally breaking other person's properties such as vases, electronics, windows, etc.
    • Injuring or killing another person's animal.
    • Carrying a concealed weapon without a permit.




This article serves as a user-friendly guide. The definition and acts that constitute domestic violence is based on our Nevada Revised Statutes. Examples of Battery, Assault, Stalking, Larceny will be discussed on the next part of the article. If you have further questions or inquiries regarding domestic violence. You may contact Goodman Law Group at (702) 383 – 5088 for free consultation.