3 Important Points To Keep In Mind Regarding Animal Cruelty Cases
Some individuals love pets and strongly advocate for them. These are individuals who may adopt pets that have been abused or neglected to prevent them from getting euthanized. However, it is possible for someone to be accused of abuse or neglect even if they are innocent. Some people may shrug or act nonchalant about such an allegation. Many states consider the neglect or abuse of a domestic animal as an inhumane and violent crime. This means that individuals who are convicted could face severe ramifications. The following points will help you understand what to keep in mind if you or a loved one is accused of animal abuse.
Keep It Quiet
Being accused of any type of crime is stressful. However, the magnitude of being judged by the individuals in a community can be overwhelming. The stigma associated with being an animal abuser can be embarrassing. This prompts some accused individuals to want to talk about it to others. Never discuss your case with anyone without your lawyer. Avoid posting any information on social media. This information could be incriminating and used in court. It may be a good idea to avoid social media altogether until your case is resolved.
Understand Defenses
There are numerous instances where an individual is accused of animal cruelty without a full understanding of the circumstances surrounding the case. For example, a parent might kill a neighbor's dog if it attacked their child. There are also cases that may involve pet owners choosing to euthanize their own pets due to the pets being miserable due to sickness.
Intent
It is up to the state to prove their case. A weak case could result in dismissed charges or a lighter sentence. One of the main things that need to be established is whether the alleged charges are surrounded by intent or an unintentional act.
A violent crime defense attorney is a good resource to use to learn more about the potential consequences in your state. They can also explain options that may be available to you and whether or not the purported evidence the state has is questionable. A violent crime defense lawyer may also be able to negotiate a plea deal. Since these are serious allegations, it is inadvisable for anyone facing animal cruelty charges to try to defend themselves. The laws surrounding these crimes can have a variation of punishments. Some of them are even considered felonious in nature, which could make a conviction result in prison time.
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