# Can My Attacker/Abuser Be Charged Criminally in Utah? | Brown Family Law

If you’ve been the victim of domestic violence, you have a couple options.

****First****, you can file for a [protective order](https://www.brownfamilylaw.com/salt-lake-city-ut/protective-orders-lawyer/). A protective order is a civil remedy and essentially tells your abuser he or she cannot hurt you, communicate with you, or come near you. If he or she violates the order, there may be jail involved.

Get Clear Guidance for Your Divorce

[Schedule a Consultation](https://www.brownfamilylaw.com/contact-us/)

****Second****, you can call the police and have your attacker/abuser arrested. If you call the police and the investigate and find proof of the attack, they will very likely arrest your attacker. The prosecuting attorney would then look at the evidence from the police and decide to charge your abuser with battery, domestic violence, aggravated assault, or a similar crime.

If the domestic violence took place near the children, your attacker could also be charged with the additional crime of domestic violence in the presence of children.

These crimes range from ****misdemeanors**** with relatively light jail sentences to ****felonies**** with potentially long prison sentences.

****Domestic violence is no joke, and your attacker can certainly be charged criminally for the violence you’ve been subjected to****.

If you find yourself in a domestic violence situation, please, pick option the second option. Call the cops. Protect yourself and your kids.

Domestic Violence Blog Posts:    [![Domestic Abuse in Your Military Marriage](https://www.brownfamilylaw.com/wp-content/uploads/domestic-abuse-in-your-military-marriage-300x200.jpg)](https://www.brownfamilylaw.com/blog/domestic-abuse-in-your-military-marriage/)

### [Domestic Abuse in Your Military Marriage](https://www.brownfamilylaw.com/blog/domestic-abuse-in-your-military-marriage/)

There is a silent epidemic happening in the United States among residents of Salt Lake City, Utah—many spouses are

[![Blocking Your Abusive Ex From Your Phone](https://www.brownfamilylaw.com/wp-content/uploads/blocking-your-abusive-ex-from-your-phone-300x200.jpg)](https://www.brownfamilylaw.com/blog/blocking-your-abusive-ex-from-your-phone/)

### [Blocking Your Abusive Ex From Your Phone](https://www.brownfamilylaw.com/blog/blocking-your-abusive-ex-from-your-phone/)

Most divorced parents think they have to let their ex call them and text them. Usually, that's not a bad idea. It is

[![Handling Domestic Violence Cases: Ensuring Safety and Just ice](https://www.brownfamilylaw.com/wp-content/uploads/handling-domestic-violence-cases-ensuring-safety-and-just-ice-300x200.jpg)](https://www.brownfamilylaw.com/blog/handling-domestic-violence-cases-ensuring-safety-and-just-ice/)

### [Handling Domestic Violence Cases: Ensuring Safety and Just ice](https://www.brownfamilylaw.com/blog/handling-domestic-violence-cases-ensuring-safety-and-just-ice/)

The family unit is supposed to be a place where everyone can feel safe, secure, and loved. Unfortunately, this is not

[![Navigating Domestic Violence and Family Law in Arizona](https://www.brownfamilylaw.com/wp-content/uploads/navigating-domestic-violence-and-family-law-in-arizona-300x200.jpg)](https://www.brownfamilylaw.com/blog/navigating-domestic-violence-and-family-law-in-arizona/)

### [Navigating Domestic Violence and Family Law in Arizona](https://www.brownfamilylaw.com/blog/navigating-domestic-violence-and-family-law-in-arizona/)

Our firm no longer provides legal services in Arizona. We remain committed to serving clients at our other office

---

Source: https://www.brownfamilylaw.com/faqs/can-my-attacker-abuser-be-charged-criminally-in-utah/