IMG_6574It is not uncommon that someone flees a domestic abuse (domestic violence) event while he or she is under the influence of intoxicants.  This can lead to the person being charged with drunk driving (aka DUII, DUI, DWI, Driving Under the Influence of Intoxicants, Driving While Intoxicated.  If the person charged is consider the victim of domestic violence, then he, or more likely, she may attempt to claim the defense of “Choice of Evils,” but that is difficult.  A choice of evils defense applies when their is no reasonable alternative to breaking the law, here, driving under the influence of intoxicants (drunk driving).  If the DUI arrestee is considered the perpetrator of domestic violence (domestic abuse), then in addition to the drunk driving charge, the person may also be defending himself against one of many domestic abuse type charges.  These include Assault, Harassment, Menacing, Strangulation, Coercion – and even Kidnapping.  Some domestic violence charges are so serious that they fall under the list of criminal offenses with mandatory minimum sentences, under the Oregon Measure 11 law.

The Oregon criminal and drunk driving defense  firm, the Duvall Law Office, based in Eugene, Oregon, regularly represents people accused of Oregon domestic violence charges, including those listed above (Menacing, Harassment, Assault, Coercion, Strangulation) and Measure 11 offenses, in addition to any felony DUI or misdemeanor DUI charges which are related to the domestic abuse accusations.  While the law office is  based in Eugene, Oregon, and regularly represents people charged in Lane County Circuit Court in Eugene, Eugene Municipal Court, Springfield, Oregon, Municipal Court, Junction City Municipal Court, Cottage Grove Municipal Court, it also practices in Corvallis, Albany, Roseburg, Florence, and throughout the state of Oregon.  If you are charged with a felony Drunk Driving, misdemeanor Drunk Driving, or domestic abuse charge anywhere in Oregon, please contact the Duvall Law Office to schedule an appointment to discuss your case: 541.345.4500.