What does aggravated domestic battery involve?

Aggravated domestic battery is characterized by actions that result in significant harm to an intimate partner or family member. Specifically, it involves causing great bodily harm, permanent disability, or disfigurement while committing domestic battery. This distinction elevates the offense due to the severity of the injuries inflicted, which can have long-lasting effects on the victim’s physical and emotional well-being.

The focus on "great bodily harm" emphasizes that the injuries must be serious and beyond those that would typically occur in minor altercations. This means that the legal definition places importance on the outcome of the actions during an incident, differentiating it from situations where only minor injuries occur. By establishing this threshold of violence, the law seeks to address and penalize more serious offenses within the context of domestic situations, prioritizing the safety and protection of victims from severe forms of abuse.