One Date Not Enough For Domestic Violence Conviction

The New Jersey Appellate Division has reversed a domestic violence conviction of a defendant who had assaulted another person while on a “birthright” trip to Israel.

The defendant had not known the victim prior to the trip. They “hung out” together on the evening in question at a bar with others and danced together. The “atrocious assault” took place later that evening in the victim’s room. The defendant was convicted in Jersalem District Court.

The court here held that the interaction between the victim and defendant may have been a “date” but that they were not in a dating relationship, which is an element of the offense. (Mike Frisch)