Family Violence
Stopping the cycle of domestic violence is a high priority of the Cache County Attorney's Office. The office does this by diligently prosecuting family violence crimes and helping victims with care and compassion. The County Attorney’s Office also participates in multi-agency efforts to combat family violence throughout our community. Attorneys participate in the Domestic Violence Coalition and in the Childrens’ Justice Center collaborative efforts.
With regards to first time offenders who are interested in making a change in violent behavior, this office can offer a Plea In Abeyance; in essence the defendant pleads guilty to the criminal charges and the guilty plea is held for a period of one year. If the defendant successfully completes the terms and conditions of his/her plea, he/she will have the guilty plea dismissed. Terms usually include a few days in jail, drug and/or alcohol counseling when appropriate, a fine and successfully completing a Domestic Violence Treatment Program. The Cache County Attorney’s Office and a strong number of victims have found this program for first time offenders to be highly successful.
The Cache County Attorney’s Office pledges to treat all family violence victims with the dignity and understanding they deserve. We will file criminal charges whenever there is legally sufficient evidence of a family violence crime and hope that all victims cooperate with our efforts. However, because our client, the State of Utah, has an interest in protecting the safety of family violence victims and holding perpetrators accountable for their crimes, the Cache County Attorney’s Office will proceed with family violence prosecutions with or without the victim’s cooperation. Reporting a crime and cooperating with the police also makes victims eligible for financial assistance with counseling and for other compensation from the state’s Crime Victim Reparations Fund for victims of violent crime.
