A 22-year-old Arizona man is facing numerous charges after an alleged domestic altercation with his girlfriend. As you may know domestic violence charges can lead to serious criminal penalties and lengthy sentences. Police and prosecutors often aggressively pursue these cases in almost all circumstances, regardless of the severity of the alleged injury to the purported victim.

In this case the man was reported to have responded violently when he discovered his girlfriend talking to other men in her apartment complex. He was arrested last Friday.

Law enforcement officials allege that the suspect struck his girlfriend in the face. The woman then apparently stepped out of her apartment in an attempt to distance herself from the suspect. The suspect then allegedly re-entered the apartment and picked up the couple's young daughter and swung her dangerously in the air.

After the girlfriend had the baby back in her arms the left in a vehicle. Police attempted to locate the suspect at the time but were unable to do so. They noted that he had outstanding warrants for his arrest.

Later, the police received a call from the girlfriend's neighbors that the suspect was at the girlfriend's apartment. The police responded and arrested the suspect. He now faces charges of assault, aggravated assault, endangerment and child abuse.

Few accusations carry the potential stigma as domestic violence. In addition to criminal repercussions those accused often face ostracization by family, friends and coworkers regardless of whether the charges are well founded. It is important that anyone facing these charges seek the counsel of a knowledgeable and experienced attorney.

Source: Tucson Citizen, "Man accused in assault, child abuse incident in Avondale," Raquel Velasco, Nov. 01, 2011