Domestic disputes are rarely tidy. They often start as disagreements over dinner or arguments about household finances, but they can quickly spiral into something much more complex. When emotions run high and voices get loud, it is not uncommon for a neighbor to call the police or for one party to feel physically threatened. At that moment, what began as a private family matter crosses the line into the public justice system. This transition from a civil disagreement to a criminal case changes the stakes for everyone involved. It is no longer just about who gets to keep the house…