Former Rep. Daniel Patterson was acquitted of domestic violence charges on Wednesday in Tucson, Arizona. Patterson was charged in February after an argument between he and his girlfriend turned physically violent. Police said Patterson claimed that his girlfriend hit him 20 times in the head and chest, and she alleged that he pulled her out of the car.
The domestic violence allegations prompted an ethics inquiry by the House, which also looked at his behavior in the Legislature. The House of Ethics Committee recommended that the independent (former Democrat) be expelled for ethical reasons, which include bullying fellow legislators at the Capitol and exhibiting rude behavior at committee meetings. Patterson resigned in April following the House’s recommendation for expulsion.
Patterson said on Wednesday that the prosecution was a “political witch hunt” and called the outside investigation a “piece of garbage” filled with anonymous allegations.
If you have been arrested or think you may be accused of a domestic crime, contact a Phoenix domestic violence attorney to defend your rights. Often, domestic violence charges are either dropped or reduced to misdemeanor assault or disorderly conduct.