Bloomington Domestic Assault Lawyer
Defense for domestic assault matters in Bloomington and Hennepin County.
Local criminal defense
Domestic Assault Defense in Bloomington, Minnesota
A Bloomington case can create immediate issues—license consequences, employment concerns, and release conditions. We help clients understand what’s happening, what matters most first, and how to protect their future.
Minnesota domestic assault can be charged when a person intentionally causes fear of immediate bodily harm or death, or intentionally inflicts or attempts to inflict bodily harm, against a qualifying family or household member. No physical injury is required for every case. These allegations can also trigger DANCO or release restrictions, firearm issues, and enhanced charges based on prior qualified domestic-violence-related offenses. Andrew Davis reviews the 911 call, statements, body-camera footage, messages, injuries, prior history, and court orders as one connected case.
Read the complete Minnesota Domestic Assault guide →Minnesota law and defense
Understanding Domestic Assault in Bloomington
Minnesota criminal law applies statewide, but the court process, local agency records, and practical details of a case depend on where it is filed. The information below explains important issues Andrew reviews when defending domestic assault cases.
What Counts as Domestic Assault in Minnesota?
Minnesota domestic assault uses the same two core assault theories seen elsewhere in state law, but the alleged victim must be a family or household member as defined by statute. The state may allege either an intentional act causing fear of immediate bodily harm or death, or an intentional infliction or attempted infliction of bodily harm. A visible injury is therefore not required in every prosecution.
Who Is Considered a Family or Household Member?
The domestic-assault statute incorporates Minnesota's family-or-household-member definition. Depending on the relationship, it can include:
- Current or former spouses
- Parents and children
- People related by blood
- People who are currently living together or have lived together in the past
- People who have a child together or share a pregnancy, regardless of marriage or cohabitation
- People involved in a qualifying significant romantic or sexual relationship
Penalties for Domestic Assault
Domestic assault is an enhanceable offense, meaning qualified prior domestic-violence-related convictions or delinquency adjudications can increase the level of the new charge.
- Misdemeanor: a standard domestic-assault conviction can carry up to 90 days in jail and a $1,000 fine.
- Gross Misdemeanor: a new domestic assault within ten years of a previous qualified domestic-violence-related offense can carry up to 364 days in jail and a $3,000 fine.
- Felony: a new domestic assault within ten years of the first of two or more previous qualified domestic-violence-related offenses can carry up to 5 years in prison and a $10,000 fine.
Common questions
Bloomington Domestic Assault FAQ
Can I be charged even if there was no injury?
Yes. Minnesota domestic assault includes intentionally causing fear of immediate bodily harm or death, so the state does not need to prove a physical injury in every case.
Can the alleged victim drop domestic assault charges?
The alleged victim can tell the prosecutor what they want, but the prosecutor decides whether the criminal case continues. A request to dismiss can be important information, but it does not automatically end the prosecution or lift a DANCO or other court order.
Will I lose my gun rights?
Possibly. Domestic assault convictions can trigger firearm bans or forfeiture depending on the circumstances.
What if the allegations are false?
Andrew compares the allegation with 911 audio, body-camera footage, witness accounts, photographs, messages, medical evidence, and prior statements. A defense may focus on inconsistencies, missing context, self-defense, lack of intent, or evidence that contradicts the accusation.
What makes a domestic assault a felony in Minnesota?
A domestic assault can become a felony when the new offense occurs within ten years of the first of two or more previous qualified domestic-violence-related offense convictions or delinquency adjudications. The exact prior history must be reviewed because the enhancement rules are specific.
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Talk to a Bloomington Criminal Defense Lawyer
If you need help with domestic assault in Bloomingtonor Hennepin County, contact Andrew Davis to discuss what happened and what comes next.