California Correctional Lieutenant Practice Exam

Is a 17-year-old, on military leave, guilty of domestic violence for assaulting an 18-year-old girlfriend?

1. Yes, because it is a physical assault

2. No, because he is a soldier

3. Yes, but only if they were living together

4. No, because the girlfriend is older

The correct answer is: Yes, because it is a physical assault

The correct answer is based on the understanding that an assault can constitute domestic violence regardless of the individuals’ age or military status. In legal terms, domestic violence includes physical harm or the threat of harm against someone with whom the aggressor has a close relationship, such as a girlfriend. In this scenario, the 17-year-old's act of physical assault qualifies as domestic violence since it meets the criteria for such an offense, which is based on the nature of the behavior rather than the age of the perpetrator or their relationship status. Therefore, the physical assault itself is a key factor in determining guilt for domestic violence, making this answer correct. The other options do not hold in this context, as military leave does not provide immunity from criminal behavior, cohabitation is not a necessary condition for domestic violence charges, and the age difference does not negate the act of physical assault defined by law.